Even Angels Fall

Chapter 31

            ~~~~Christina~~~~

After our visit to the hospital, Mike wouldn't let me do anything. He made me stay on the couch all day long and only let me go to the bathroom by myself. And not even completely. He insisted on actually carrying me there and back. 

Other than that, I wasn't allowed up. He was taking this little to no activity thing literally. And if I was bored before, I was going completely crazy now. I didn't even have the cooking and cleaning to keep myself busy for even a few hours a day. But if it meant the baby was okay, then I'd gladly be bored. 

The bad thing that came from all of this was that Mike lost his job at the warehouse. Our all-night trip to the hospital made him miss his shift. He said he didn't care because this way he could keep an eye on me more and that he could just find another job later. 

Steve let him take a few days off to stay with me at first, but I didn't think that was really necessary. I was capable of sitting on the couch all by myself, thank you very much. But it made Mike feel better and like he was doing something, so I kept my mouth shut. 

After Mike started working again, Steve was able to give him more hours at the store since one of the other guys who worked there wanted to cut back. Mike worked from eleven in the morning until nine at night most days and would come check on me every few hours, making me promise to only move if I just couldn't wait for him to help me to the bathroom or to get something to eat.

At first, I thought the whole babying me thing was kind of sweet, but now it was starting to grate on my nerves. I'd behaved and stayed immobile for three weeks - one more than the doctor recommended - to make Mike feel better. But now, going into the fourth week, I'd had enough. I needed to move. The apartment was really starting to show neglect and, quite frankly, I couldn't take Mike and Steve's attempts at cooking for another night. 

"What are you doing?" Mike rushed toward me. He'd just made it home on one of his checks and caught me sweeping the kitchen floor. I'd already finished tidying up and vacuuming the living room.

"Cleaning," I said, nonchalantly as I continued to sweep.

"You're supposed to be resting." He tried to take the broom from me.

"No." I refused to let go. "I'm supposed to be earning our rent, remember?" 

Mike huffed. "That was before. The doctor told you to rest."

"For two weeks, Mike," I said. "It's been three, and I'm going crazy on that couch."

He huffed again and looked at me unhappily.

I sighed and leaned the broom against the wall. "Give me your hand." I held out my own.

He looked at me curiously but put his hand in mine. I placed his hand on the spot on my stomach where I'd been feeling the tiny kicking all day. I'd wanted to save it for a special surprise for him, but I figured it would be a good way to diffuse his unnecessary worry. We had to wait a minute before the baby kicked again but Mike definitely felt it. His scowl disappeared and was replaced by a wide smile.

"How long has she been doing that?" he asked, keeping his hand pressed to my stomach, trying to feel it again.

"I thought I felt it yesterday," I said. "But I wasn't sure. She's been kicking like crazy today though."

Mike smiled down at my stomach for another minute and, after he felt another few kicks, leaned in and kissed me.

"See?" I said when he pulled away. "She's fine. I don't need to lay around all day anymore."

He took a deep breath. "I guess..." He still didn't look totally convinced.

"Mike, that was a really stressful day," I said, seriously. "The doctor said there was a good chance it happened from stress, but I've felt fine ever since, and this isn't exactly hard labor." 

"I guess," he said again, sounding resigned. "Just promise me you'll take plenty of breaks."

"Are you kidding?" I asked. "Steve might be a slob, but this apartment is only so big. I'll probably still have nothing to do for most of the day."

"Good." 

"In fact," I said, batting my eyelashes at him. "If you really want me to relax, you could run to the library for me again. I'm finished with those books." I pointed to the stack on the coffee table.

In an attempt to give me something to do, Mike started making weekly library runs. He'd come back with five or ten books, recommended by the librarian. I knew better than to ask to go myself, even if it would be easier. He'd completely flip out and I still wasn't comfortable with the idea of being out in public so openly.

"Already?"

I nodded. "I already read some of those."

"Okay," he said "I'll go now. Just, make me feel better and take a break, would you?" 

I smiled. "Alright. Thank you."

Mike grabbed the books from the table and waited until I sat down for a break, as promised, before he kissed me goodbye and left.