Friends Apart

Chapter 20

Peter lay in bed that night with Wendy sound asleep beside him. His baby…His very flesh and blood…now resided; growing inside of Wendy. She was going to be the mother of his chilf. Who would have thought that this…of all things should happen? Looking over at Wendy, and then at Wendy's abdomen, Peter released a long, quiet sigh. Laying his head against the pillow, Peter watched Wendy breathe gently and couldn't help but smile a little bit. Wendy was doing this and from all indications felt no regret, but instead showed a sence of pride. Was she happy about this? Because that was how she seemed to behave earlier that night. Was she truly prideful of carrying his young within her? She looked so beautiful when she slept. Just then, something caught Peter's eye. Looking down at Wendy's abdomen, Peter paused in somewhat awe. Through the thin blanket, a small hand pushed outward from within Wendy. It was the baby. Peter sat up and paused for a great deal of time, before seeing the baby do it again, only this time, with both hands. Chuckling, Peter quickly caught himself and looked at Wendy, making certain his laugh did not wake her. Looking back at her abdomen, he watched as the baby continued to move. Then he had a thought; when an infant is inside its mother…can it dream? Watching Wendy's abdomen move, Peter smiled. If that was the case, what could their baby be dreaming about?Gently resting his his finger on Wendy's abdomen, Peter sighed…almost lovingly. Maybe…having a new baby wasn't going to be that bad. What if it actually turned out to be the best thing to happen to him? Just then, his eyes fell on the wedding band around his finger, a finger that resided now against Wendy. Sighing, Peter whispered for only him to hear. "Everything that happens in this life…happens for a reason. That's why you happened…" Gently rubbing Wendy's pregnant belly, Peter could distinctly feel the baby's hand pushing up against his finger. Letting his gaze soften, Peter smiled. Sitting up, he slowly leaned over Wendy, checking with a quick glance to make sure he hadn't wakened her. Looking back down at her abdomen, he slowly pulled the covers away, and pulled her shirt up, so that her skin was exposed. Peter had remembered  hearing that a baby can hear the lower tone of a male's voice easier than the higher tone of a female voice. So…it would stand to reason…that the baby should be able to hear voices now. Sighing, Peter gently caressed Wendy's abdomen and spoke quietly. "I don't know if you can even hear me little one. Or even if you want to hear me..." Looking away Peter felt foolish, why was he even doing this? "Don't stop, Peter." Looking up suddenly, Peter saw that Wendy was awake, watching him and smiling. "It can hear you. Talk to our baby." Sighing, Peter reluctantly looked back down. "…know…that I'm here little one. Now show me that you are here." There was a long pause where nothing happened at all. Looking away, Peter sighed thinking he did something foolish, when all of a sudden, Wendy's abdomen moved again, and the baby's hand pushed up center against Peter's thumb. Looking at Wendy, Peter couldn't help but smile a little bit. It heard him. It actually heard and responded to him. He leaned in even closer, shifting his finger over the womb area. He could feel more slight movement within.  "Feels like it's doing somersaults." He breathed, an awestruck laugh laced into his deep voice. "Sorry if I scared you, little one. Your mommy had it coming." He said with a quiet smile. Wendy smiled and cuddled into his chest, only to find Peter's hand curling around her to hold her there, and the two parents soon fell asleep with their baby safely between them.