Happiness Doesn't Wait

Blake

It's going to be my birthday soon.

My mother has been talking about it in the last week but I prefer to not do anything. I want to save up money for my next round of payments.

Talking about rounds, my mother seems much better now. She smiles more. She laughs more. She even walks with me sometimes once I get out of work.

On the day that Abi went over at her house, I insisted I help her in the kitchen. But she pushed me away and said, "No. I know you are much better than me, but you stay with your fiance and I will take care of this." I looked over at Abi and she giggled from her seat at the table.

As well as the subject of fiances, I've started to see how I can organize for our wedding. But Abi always puts a soft kiss on my cheek and says, "Let's wait. We have other things to think of. I'll always be yours."

I've noticed her tenderness lately, either because of the subject of her mother where she prefers to be the opposite of angry or it's the growing baby inside of her. She recognizes now that her strength isn't the same and she doesn't move at the same pace as she used to at work. So I've kept the table with Ryan's permission for her sake.

She only does morning shifts now and the day she told me that she wanted to back down from her promotion, my heart melted. I remember laying a sweet kiss on her lips and said, "Okay, baby. I understand. I'll take over for you then."

"Actually," she said with shining eyes. "I was thinking if you could make Cam Head Waiter instead."

My eyes grew wide at this. "Really?"

She nodded with confidence and I realized that she knows everyone here more than I do. She'd know who's the best in here.

So I gave her a nod and called at Cam that was just passing by us with a box of vegetables.

He nearly dropped his box when he heard my loud voice, and his eyes widened with surprise. He quickly came over to us and by just a look at her friend, Abi started to chuckle.

"You've been promoted to Head Waiter," I said as I put a hand on his shoulder. "Congratulations."

Cam dropped the box at these words and said to Abi, "I'm your second?!"

Abi laughed at this. "No, you idiot. I'm dropping from my position. You got my spot!"

Cam stayed in silence. Shock running through his expression and this made me roll my eyes at him. But then he does a small celebratory gesture and hugs Abi. "Thank you thank you, mate! This is so awesome!"

"No problem," she said with a smile. "Do me proud, Cam."

"I will! I promise!" Cam said as he put a hand on his chest. He then ran to get a protein bar from the snack table and said to Abi, "But you have to do it properly like the movies!"

I furrowed my brows in confusion, but Abi laughed as she seemed to have understood what he said. I watched him kneel to one knee and bow his head at her. She took the protein bar and tapped both of his shoulders with it.

"I have officially made you into the next Head Waiter. Now arise and start with your duties."

I laughed loudly at this as I watched Cam stand up and bow at her one more time. "Thank you, Master Jedi."

Despite of her laughter and happiness for her friend's accomplishment, I still noticed a sad shine in her eyes. If only she knew that I love her either way. People will still love her even if it's just with a welcoming smile.

But I've understood her pattern as I've been observing her from afar whenever I supervise. She's told me about our son's increase in movement. There are times when she comes by my office and sits down to just spend a little time with me. I always leave anything I've been doing and sit by her side to put a hand on her basketball sized belly now. Since that day she told me that he recognizes my touch, I'm always excited to test this out.