The Deep End of Everything

Chapter 2

Wes

My eyes open to the sound of the rooster at the crack of dawn. I slide out of bed and get dressed for the day. Quietly I open my door and walk down the hall past Darren and Lianna's room.

I do most of the early morning chores. I like the time alone to my thoughts. Also, Darren is not one for waking early.

I walk through the kitchen into the mudroom where I grab my coat and put on my boots before heading outside.

I open the door to a gust of wind. It's still chilly from the temperature drop of night. The sun is just barely peeking over the horizon and it's still quite dark out. I feel more tired than usual this morning. Yesterday feels like weeks ago.

I had heard about a traveling carnival that was going to be in town and thought it would be fun because neither Ariya nor I had ever been to one before. It was amazing. There was this giant wheel with these carts you sat in as it spun around. To me it was fascinating, but Ariya had her eyes closed nearly the whole time. It had every booth imaginable. But we lost track of time and Aryia suffered for it. It was my fault, I was the one who kept saying, "Just a little while longer." The little while quickly turned into an hour. And then another. And one more. I still feel horrible for getting her in trouble. I'm sure she still has bruises on her arms considering she was in pain when I just lightly touched them.

I've finished feeding the cows and now the sun is rising high enough for me to see my way around the barn. Next I start heading for the chicken coop to collect the eggs when I realize I don't have a basket, so I have to go all the way up to the house to get one. When I walk in the door I'm hit with the smell of frying bacon. Lianna is up earlier than usual.

Lianna always makes breakfast in the morning for Darren and I when we finish the chores.

"Smells good in here," I say walking into the kitchen. "How are you feeling today Lianna?" She's moving around a little slower than usual. Nodding she gives me a tired looking smile.

"As good as I can be considering." She places a hand on her large baby bump. Darren comes around the corner and kisses Lianna on the cheek.

"Looking as beautiful as ever, my wife." He says as he snatches a piece of bacon off the pan. She swats him on the arm. Grabbing the basket off of the table Darren calls to me over his shoulder. "I'll take care of the eggs this morning, just keep an on Lianna for me." Winking, he runs for the door before Lianna can give him a beating. The door slams behind him as he heads for the chicken coop.

"What's that about?" I ask as I take a seat at the table. Lianna only shakes her head and puts her hand on her hip.

"He's convinced the baby is coming today because I've been a little slower than usual." She lets out a frustrated sigh. "He's been acting like a crazy man, Wes. Following me around like I'm some child needing watching." She rolls her eyes and I bark out a laugh.

"He just wants to make sure both you, and the baby are as safe as can be."

"I know, and I'm trying not to be rude because I know he just doesn't want the same thing to happen to me that did your mother." Her voice turns sad. Shaking her head, she grabs a plate for bacon.

"So, I will bear it until the time comes for this child to come out." Taking a deep breath she returns to her usual chipper self. "Now don't eat it all." She says setting the plate of bacon out in front of me. I grab a piece and shove it in my mouth.

"No promises," I say through a full mouth. I finish swallowing what is in my mouth before talking again, trying to show some manners. "I told Ariya I would come help her with the farm chores since her father will be off at the smithy until late." Lianna raises an eyebrow. She's always suspected there's more between Ariya and I than there actually is. I speak before she can say anything too embarrassing. "So don't expect me around this afternoon." I scarf down more of the bacon before trying to stand up, but she catches me by the shoulder and sits me back down.