My Life Without You

Chapter 17: At First Sight

He places his hand on her stomach that sits so round and plump in front of his face. "Hey son, this is your father," Romelle begins. He grabs and holds Val's stomach. His lips kisses her bare skin with soft, sweet pecks. "I love you son, and I can't wait for you to get here. You have a whole world waiting on you out here, and I'm gonna show you everything. I'll teach you how to play basketball and how to tie your shoes," Ro continues. "I'll teach you how to drive a car and how to tie your tie. I'll help when it comes to dating girls, and teach you what not to say. I'll teach you how to treat them right and how teach you all about using protection. I'll teach you how to shave your own beard and how to line yourself up too. I'll be there when you walk across the graduation stage and when you get your first job.

Val stands there in front of Ro as he continues to talk to the baby. This is endearing. He really is the sweetest person I've ever met in my life. Missing out on my pregnancy with Nairobi must feel like torture to him. I can't imagine what he's going through. But I will definitely make sure he's there for our delivery. Her thoughts run away with her as he continues to talk to and kiss her belly. She braces herself up with both hands on her back and her legs spread apart. She stares out the window. Forty-seven degrees is not that warm, but It's better than old man winter striking. Its eleven in the morning and Val can't seem to find a bird flying anywhere. She notes storm clouds gathering on the horizon. That's odd, I thought the forecast called for sunny skies today. I guess I was wrong.

"I feel. So weak," she said, with labored breaths. She can barely get a sentence out without having to take a break. Why is everything so blurry? Valerie steps to the side holding the bottom of her stomach--careful, so that Ro could get up without bumping into her stomach. My head pounds and my knees are killing me, she thought. At thirty-four weeks, all she can think about is having the baby and having her body back to normal.

"Hey, what's wrong babe?" Ro asked, his hazel eyes fixed on hers with concern. "Are you alright?"

"Yeah. I just need to sit down." she replies reaching for the sofa. She has been sleeping on the sofa ever since the doctor put her on bedrest. It was too much stress on her body to keep climbing the stairs.

"Let me get you a bottled water. You seem hot." Romelle helps Val down on the sofa and goes to the kitchen. "You want some fruit? I can bring you a bowl of grapes too, if you want."

"Sure," Valerie replies." Just make sure you wash them off first, please." Val rest her head back. Her body feels exhausted and she hasn't made it through the afternoon. "I can't take nothing for this headache, but if my head keeps pounding like this, I'm gonna take something for it. I don't care," she said massaging her temples.

"Here you go." Romelle hands her a bottle watered. "Try to relax and get some rest. That might help your head feel better."

"Thanks," she replies as she twists off the cap. She drinks the water down in large gulps.

"You was really thirsty huh?"

"Very," she replies, as she hands him back the bottle. She grabs the bowl of grapes from him and places it on top of her belly. "Can you close the drapes too?"

Ro closes the drapes. The room becomes much darker. "Is this better," he asked Val.

"Yes. Much better. I know it's not extremely sunny out. But the little bit of light we do have is killing my eyes."

"Well, I'm about to go set up the baby bed and hang the clothes up in the room. The baby hangers still in the closet hanging up, right?" Ro asked.

"Yes. And oh, can you please set up the the baby bags and other items on that empty shelf too?"