Letters Back Home

Chapter Eleven

Fourth Month

I slowly opened my eyes and smiled at the green eyes that I found.

"Nicky?" I croaked as I tried to sit up. My back ended up shooting a sharp pain into my spine and I laid back down.

"Yeah it's me honey." He said softly as he caressed my cheek. "How are you feeling?" He asked as I smiled at him, I could see the hurt in his eyes beaming back at me with his dad smile.

"Well, I feel better now that I see you." I weakly stuttered.

"Honey," he began as he chuckled. "Stop." He settled on.

I chuckled. "What?" I asked a little sarcastic.

"Stop trying to be so..you. You are always trying to be so strong and I need you to be alright. Okay? So please," he mumbled. "Stop." He whispered as his voice croaked, a tear slipping through his eyes.

"Alright." I said reaching up and touching his cheek. "I'm sorry." He smiled weakly at me and I rubbed the tear away from his eyes as they closed slowly. I could now see the bags under his eyes and noticed he hadn't been sleeping.

"How long have I been out?" I asked. A sudden fear overwhelming me. "Honey, the baby? Is she alright?" I asked now sitting up and ignoring the pain. I rambled on until he put a finger to my lips. I looked up at him and saw the excitement in his eyes.

"Why are you happy about this?!" I yelled at him as he pulled his finger away.

"Happy?!" He said a sudden angry look taking over his emotion. "This is not what I'm happy about. I just flew thousands of miles over here to see my wife who they said may not make it! I'm sorry that I am happy now that I know my wife is going to be fine and so is the baby girl I didn't know even was a girl!" He somewhat shouted back at me and I was surprised by his tone of voice.

"I'm sorry." I mumbled after a too long silence. "I'm sorry you didn't know, I was coming home to call you when I was sent in here." I cried. Tears were now falling down my cheeks. Man, being pregnant sucked, all the emotions, sickness and pain it beheld.

"She is going to be just fine baby doll. Our little baby girl will be just fine." He whispered to me as he knelt by my bed taking my hand in his. I nodded my head and we were disturbed by a doctor checking in on me.

"Oh good you're awake." He smiled as he approached my bed.

"Any discomfort we should be worried about? How are you feeling?" He asked as he sat beside me.

"My back hurts a lot but that doesn't matter. How is my baby? How's my little girl?" I asked frantically.

"Mrs. Anderson, calm down. Your baby girl is just fine she wasn't harmed at all. You on the other hand have been. Your back has a few slipped vertebras and your neck's disks are all slipped as well. Unfortunately, all we can do for you is give you appointments to the chiropractor and down the road spinal injections." I nodded my head as he spoke, telling me that the pain would never go away. Although, I didn't care, as long as my baby was okay.

I rubbed my belly as I listened to all the doctor was saying, Nick's hand encircled mine as our hands rested on my stomach.

"--so as long as you are careful it shouldn't worsen. Alright?" The doctor finished as he stood from the chair by my bed.

"That's fine. When will we be able to go home?" I asked as I sat up in the bed and he positioned to leave.

"Well, now that you are awake we just need a few more tests and you will be free to go by the end of the night." I let out a heavy sigh and nodded my head.

"Alright. Thank you so much." I replied and he left.

~*~

Nick helped me through the door with his arm around my waist and he guided me towards the bedroom. He sat with me on the bed as we looked down at the bags. I was out of breath and was trying to gain it back as he held my hand.

"Are you hungry?" He asked softly as he listened to my shallow breathing.

I just nodded my head and he began to stand, releasing my hand.

"Wait." I started as I pulled his hand back to me. "I'll help." I then pulled myself up and stood by him. He just shook his head but didn't argue as we walked to the kitchen.

We made dinner and ate quietly at the table until I caught him stealing glances at me. Eventually, I set my fork down and stared up at him.

"What?" I asked as I folded my hands across my stomach.

He shook his head sadly and he stared back at his food.

"Nothing." He said trailing off. The tone of his voice wasn't convincing me and neither was his expression.

"What?" I asked more sternly and he looked up at me again. The same, if not, sadder expression.

"Well," he began as he set his fork down. "What if I don't come-" he began.

"Nope!" I almost shouted. "You will not start that." I said almost immediately regretting my pushing for an answer.

"I mean what if I-" he began again.

"Stop!" I shouted again. I rose from the table, hissing in pain then made my way over to the desk. "I have an idea." I started back towards the table with a piece of paper and pen and set them both beside him.

"What's this for?" He asked as I set one of each both beside me.

"We both are going to make a list. Then when we are done we'll read them back to each other." I replied, smiling at my successful topic change.

"Alright. What's the list for?" He asked.

"Characteristics or names that we want for our baby. And when we are done," I stopped, reaching for a big bowl on the counter. "They will be kept in here until I find a big box." I said smiling. He chuckled and began writing.

"Alright." He said then we both began writing.

~*~

When we had both set our pens down, we stared at each other with smiles on our faces.

"You first." I smiled as I beat him to the punch.

"Alright." He said, replying my smiling and picking up his paper. "I want our little girl to have your eyes." He started. "I want her to be strong like you and curious just the same. I want her to have your laugh and your hair but my protection. I want her to be sensitive but tough and kind to everyone. She will be popular not only for her looks but her generosity towards everyone. And lastly," he said, looking up at me. "I want her to make another man happy..... just as long as I approve." He laughed as we clinked our glasses together in a toast.

I smiled as a tear escaped me. "That's beautiful honey." I croaked as I reached for my paper. His hand held over mine as I set my hand on the paper.

"I want to look forward to something more, so read them to me when I get back." He said almost in question. I nodded my head and smiled, pulling my hand away from the paper.

"Alright."

~*~

The next morning I woke to an empty bed and a note.

I love you both and look forward to coming home.

I smiled and shed tears over the letter.