And Back Again

Chapter 21

In the few weeks that passed, Zara and Angel lived as normal a life as they ever had. Things with Bastian seemed even better, he was more relaxed with Zara, made her feel more on his level. All the while, the Mayans were still happy and, more importantly, safe in their new role.

"You gonna be alright?" Angel asked, placing the wet washcloth across the back of her neck and lingering in the bathroom doorway. He hated watching helplessly as Zara whimpered beside the toilet.

"I think," she said quietly. "I'm gonna rest then take a shower," Zara explained. "We should probably leave around 11."

Angel's face scrunched. "Uh, okay," he said slowly.

"The appointment is 11:30," she went on. "You think the traffic will be a problem?"

"Traffic? Nah, should be fine."

Zara looked up at him. "My OB appointment, remember?"

"Oh, yeah, no, yeah, I remember." He did not remember.

"You're still coming, right?"

"Yeah," he scoffed, "Yeah, of course. I'm there."

Zara looked at him suspiciously but was too exhausted and queasy to really care if he had forgotten or not.

Helping her back into bed, Angel slipped outside with Pup and called Bishop.

"Hey, Bish," he said, lighting a cigarette. "You got a minute?"

"Yeah, what's going on?"

Angel smiled a little, thrilled to tell someone while knowing he wasn't breaking his promise to Zara. Bishop needed to know.

"It's Z," he sighed, "She's pregnant," Angel said proudly.

"Shit, that's a surprise, brother," Bishop said, clearly shocked. "Congratulations."

"Thanks, hefe," Angel said, suddenly feeling emotional. "We're not telling anyone else," he explained, "Only you. It's early and after last time she's nervous," Angel explained.

"I get it," Bishop said sternly. "I won't tell anyone."

"She'll kill you if you do," Angel laughed. "I fucking forgot though, she's got a doctor's appointment in a few hours and she's already had her face in the toilet all morning. Think you're good without me today?"

"Yeah, we can handle it," Bishop told him. "Go be with your girl. Good luck today."

"Thanks, Bish, I'm gonna fucking need it."

—

Holding Zara's hand, Angel walked into the doctor's office feeling less anxious that he assumed he would. She gestured for him to sit while she signed in, giving him an opportunity to check out the waiting room. As usual, he noted the exits and as he looked around at the others seated he saw more pregnant woman than he had in his life.

"Jesus Christ," Angel muttered. 

Noting that the bigger the belly, the more miserable the woman looked, Angel felt his heart sink a little. It was going to be a long and stressful 9 months.

"Hey," she whispered, sitting beside him. "You okay?"

"I'm good," he nodded. "It's just weird."

"I know," she giggled. "I can't imagine what it'll be like, that big, old belly."

Angel grimaced and nodded. "I'm gonna wrap you in fucking bubble wrap, Z. How do you protect that thing, it's just out there."

"Oh my god," Zara laughed. "You're adorable. He or she is very safe in there and I'm going to make sure of it."