Unexpected

Chapter 8

WEEKS: 25-30

I spend days day-dreaming in my office. Sure, I still did some work, but not gonna lie, it was hard to concentrate. Dad wasn't talking to me at all, it had been weeks and he hadn't tried to make any sort of contact. I was starting to get discouraged; maybe this was, maybe this was the end of our relationship, and me losing the last member of my family.

Adding to all the family issues, apparently, I was late in preparing for the baby – or so Eva and Jordan kept telling me. Apparently, by now I should've started preparing for birth – I mean Jesus, the baby was as tiny as a peapod, and weighed about an ounce! What should I prepare for, exactly? I didn't know, but over the last few weeks, I burned time in the office watching birthing videos... and let me tell you, I'm starting to have second thoughts about this whole baby thing. Also, that's normal... again, apparently.

I was thirteen weeks in, and my bump was getting bigger and fast! People started to ask to feel it around my office, and I was not the kind to engage in socialising around the office. Now, however? I was discussing 401K with Pam, my assistant, and talking about what sort of birth I wanted with Karen, the receptionist! At the tattoo parlour, I couldn't escape as I intended either! Stella was pressuring me for a baby shower, and Rocco of all people was asking me if I could feel it kicking.

I wanted to run away, it was all happening so fast, and I felt... lost. Jordan was there, and his mom. They have been great, even helping me out with groceries shopping, making meals and leaving them on my fridge-freezer. They were the perfect future dad and grandma. I guess that only made it more difficult. I couldn't stop thinking how my own mom would be thrilled to do all these things for me. How my brother would be excited to be an uncle, how everybody would be hands down helping me plan for everything – even the nursery.

I tried to push all of these thoughts aside and relished on the fact that the risk of miscarriage had dropped down, or so Dr. Madrugo had told me over the last scan. I had another scan due this month, and could barely wait to make sure everything was really ok. I had awful nightmares, waking up in the middle of the night with the most terrible dreams. Luckily, though, Jordan had taken it upon himself to take care of the two of us. I was pampered with long baths, foot and back massages, and plenty of food.

I shouldn't complain, I know, but I was just extra moody and annoyed as well lately. I guess... it was just the baby taking over, and my body going crazy with the changes. My bump was swollen and getting hard. I started developing the weirdest cravings for hot dogs and dark chocolate together, cheese over a jelly doughnut sounded heavenly to me, and Jordan nearly gagged at my homemade twinkies topped with mayo.

"Knock, knock!"

I looked up lazily, not caring about anyone that needed my help or my input on some issue around the office.

"Oh my God!" I gasped as I saw Amelia and Eva walking into my office "What are you doing here?!"

Amelia grinned and hugged me tightly. She kissed me soundly on my cheek and looked down at my belly. She made a mix of a smile and a wince, and I decided it was safer to ignore it.

"Bachelorette party, young lady." Amelia explained to me, crocking one of her dark blonde brows "This weekend, remember?"

"Oh, that" I winced; shit, yeah, no, I didn't remember that at all.

"Yes, that!" Eva put in, pouting "You're going, don't give us the baby excuse for this as well."

"You know there's a massive list of food I cannot eat, don't you?" I crooked my brow, and Eva rolled her eyes. "Also, I'm tired all the time; I'm not good company at the moment."