Loving Her *ON HOLD*

~Pregnancy These Days~

c h a p t e r f o u r t e e n

"Ugh," I groan, wiping my mouth.

I had a serious case of morning sickness, and it was only getting worse.

"Soph? You okay?" Emilia peaks her head in, fully dressed for the day.

I wave her off, flushing the toilet. "I'm fine. Don't worry. I know you have a busy day today."

She checks her watch, making an annoyed noise in the back of her throat. "I could always stay with you. I hate leaving you like this."

I add toothpaste to my toothbrush, and began brushing my teeth. Making sure I got every inch.

"It's fine," I muffle out, staring at the dark bags under my eyes in disgust. I needed makeup ASAP.

She walks up to me from behind, wrapping her arms around my waist and planting her hands on my lower belly. "Are you sure? Don't just say this because you feel like you need to do it for me. I can stay."

I spit out the toothpaste, rinsing my mouth. "Em," I let out a small laugh before turning to face her. "It's okay, I promise. You were just with me constantly for those whole two weeks."

She had decided to take a break and be more involved in my pregnancy. She'd read to my belly before bed, and kiss it in the mornings. It was a wonderful experience but I needed to breathe a little. She wouldn't let me pee by myself in fear of me falling or slipping or hurting myself in any way.

She sighs dejectedly, seeing this was going nowhere. "Fine. But I'm going to be calling you-"

I finish her sentence, "Once an hour. Yes, I know." I wrap my arms around her neck, pulling her down for a kiss.

"I love you." She murmurs, her eyes still closed as I pull away.

"I love you, too."
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
"Yes, I understand." I sniffle, pulling at the bottom of my dress.

The phone hangs up with a click and I throw it onto the bed, sliding down to the floor.

For some unknown reason, the infamous Demecio Dimerotti canceled me. He didn't want my art to premiere in his gallery and he definitely didn't want me.

It's confusing, honestly. He asked me for that meeting, and he told me that my samples were 'absolutely stunning.' What a jerk.

I knew my art wasn't the best, but it wasn't the worst either. I worked hard on those designs and paintings and I was hesitant to show them in the first place. They meant so much to me because they told a story. My story. The one that marked my childhood and my growth. My love for family and the hate.

"I got Chin-" Serena stops as she glances down at me, a frown on her face. "Love? What's wrong?" She asks quickly, her accent coming out sharp.

Oh no. Don't ask that.

Tears well up in my eyes and I sniffle again, wrapping an arm around my stomach.

Her eyes widen, "The baby?! Qué pasa?!" She immediately drops to her knees, her hands hovering over my stomach.

I shake my head, a small smile growing on my face. "It's the gallery," my voice cracks, "They canceled me."

Realization dawns on her face and her shoulders drop as she opens her arms towards me, shuffling closer. I fall into her embrace, wrapping my arms around her.

"Pobrecita, it's okay." She rubs my back soothingly before pulling back. "They're stupid pendejos for not accepting you, si? I've seen your work, and it's absolutely beautiful. They're not worth your tears. I know you worked really hard on those designs and you know what? If they won't take it, some other place will."

I nod, wiping my face. Yes, someplace else will. And I'll show them that my work is way better than anything they've seen before.

"Come on. Let's get some food in you because I know you've been throwing everything up, and then we'll go shopping for maternity clothes."

"Yes, okay." I wipe my eyes, standing to my feet. I glance down at my belly, that was now a little bigger than I expected it to be at two months. Time does pass.

"Dios mío you're getting big, mama!" Serena squeals, following me out the door.

I stop in my tracks, turning to give her a dirty look. She pauses, holding her hands up.

"In..the best way possible?"

I grunt, turning back around to walk down the stairs. "Better had been. This is now a weapon and I'm not afraid to use it."

She lets out a small giggle, "How cute."

I take the food from the table, walking over to the living room before taking a seat on the sofa.

"How're you and Hatria?"

She sighs, taking a seat next to me. "We're..getting there. All I ask is for a little bit of her time, you know? But she's always out. Doing god knows what." Taking a sip of her wine, she continues, "Not only that, but she's going everywhere with that stupid broad Stefania."

I pause eating, looking at her incredulously, "Her secretary?"

Her shoulders droop and she pushes her food away. "Yeah. Her secretary."

I set my food down, giving her my complete attention. "Look, I know that sounds bad but I doubt it's that bad. You'll get to the bottom of this and you're not alone. I'm here whenever." I place a hand on her shoulder, squeezing it gently.

"I know. Thanks babe." She kisses my cheek before standing.

"Let's shop for those clothes now, hm?"