Noah was almost scared to walk through the school gates on that first pupil day of term. His rucksack hung off one shoulder; his black shoes were well polished; and Ruth had demanded that he had a haircut, so his messy light brown mop of hair had been cut down to a smart, shorter cut. Tom smiled at him cheekily as Noah walked into Tom’s classroom.
“Did Emma ever have mad mood swings when she was pregnant with your two?” Noah asked exhaustion in his voice.
“She was a little chaotic with Natalia, but she got better with Sammy. What’s Ruth like?” Tom asked as he logged on to his computer.
“If she’s not being sick then she’s eating or sleeping. I can’t get enough food into her.” Noah complained.
“She got a craving yet?”
“Eggy bread, it’s disgusting.” Tom chuckled.
“Have you guys been to the doctors yet?”
“Yeah, she’s a month gone; due 19th May.”
“Another two months or so until she starts getting fat.” Tom chuckled to himself.
“Please don’t; she’s gonna get so moody about that. She’s always been so thin.” The bell rang for registration and Noah walked across the hall into his own empty classroom. Tom followed.
“Look, you love Ruth, you always have. In the past 18 months or so you’ve been more alive than you’ve ever been in your life. You’re actually happy rather than content.” Tom sat on one of the desk tops and Noah frowned, knowing that Tom was right.
“Did you feel ready to be a Dad when you found out that Natalia was on the way?”
“No.” Tom laughed. “But you never do feel ready. Not even when I found out about little Sammy.”
“How do you and Emma not murder one another?”
“We just don’t, mainly because Nattie has the cutest grin in the world.” Tom chuckled.
“And does Emma know that you call Natalia Nattie?”
“Nope.” The two men laughed. Kids appeared outside the door, looking through the small window in the door. Tom hopped off the desk and walked back to his classroom,
“We’ll talk later, okay?” Tom said as he opened the door. Noah nodded. “Want the kids in?”
“Yup.” Noah said reluctantly. The 30 new year 7’s slowly trundled in, “Line up at the back!” Noah instructed. The fearful eyes of the 11-year-olds were fixed on the floor, terrified of their 26-year-old teacher. Noah read out names, pointing to desks, until each of the 30 11-year-olds was sat with a boot in front of them, and a pen on their desk.
“My name is Mr Hardy, and you’re gonna be stuck with me for two lessons a week for the rest of the year. I intend to get you up to speed with science ready for year 8 with whatever teacher you have then.” Noah introduced, “Let’s begin with cells.” Noah smiled the charismatic smile he always beamed at the idea of Ruth.
Ruth groaned as her stomach churned again as she sipped her water in the office. Her stomach wasn’t dealing too well, and it was her third day of work. Millie, of course, had found out about the baby, and accepted the fact that Ruth could be late to work some days.
Her stomach did something odd and Ruth dashed to the toilet, throwing up again. She groaned, cleaned herself up, and went back to work, really hoping that that would be the last for the day. Millie knocked on the door.
“Yep?” Ruth said, Millie walked in.
“You feeling okay, Ruth?” She asked, shutting the door quietly.
“I hate morning sickness.” Ruth complained, looking up from her screen.
“Everyone does, Ruth.” Millie sympathised.
“Why does it need to exist?”
“Because bodies are stupid, Ruth.”
“I noticed. Noah keeps getting awkward boners.” Millie chuckled a little at Ruth’s innocent remark.
“It means he loves you, Ruth.”
“I know. But it gets annoying.”
“He’ll learn, one day, to control himself.” Both giggled a little. “Men will be men, Ruth.”
“He’s the only man I’ve ever been with.”
“I know, you’ve known him longer than you can remember. Of course he was gonna be the one for you.” Ruth blushed a little. “And now you’re carrying his child.” Millie smiled in happiness.
“You haven’t told Mum, have you?”
“Nope. I’ll leave that to you.” Millie smiled, “I’ll leave you to your work. Text me or something if you need me.” Millie exited the office and Ruth smiled at the shut door before pulling her phone out, seeing it was Noah’s lunchtime.
“Alright with you if I get the family over tonight to tell them?” Ruth asked her husband via text. He replied swiftly.
“Go for it.” Noah replied, adding a smiley face at the end. Ruth beamed and text the entire family: John, Melissa, Ellis, Jessica, Alyssa, Evie, and Abbie. All were fine with coming over, and all the siblings were pestering about what was going on.
That evening came a little too fast for Ruth’s liking. Take out menus were put out, and the doorbell went off; Ruth’s family arriving. Noah let them in as Ruth was sick once again. She flushed just in time for her parents not to hear her sickness. A few minutes later, Noah’s family arrived, and take away was ordered, Chinese, and Noah and Abbie went to get it.
“So, why are we all gathered here?” Alyssa asked between texting Connor, her boyfriend.
“You’ll see.” Ruth giggled at her sister a little. Noah and Abbie got back, everyone dug into food. As they ate, Noah and Ruth kept looking at one another, giggling.
“Spill, sis.” Alyssa demanded.
“Nope.” Noah chuckled. Once everyone had done eating, and Ruth was eating the last of the special fried rice while cooking herself more eggy bread. As soon as her bread was done, she went back onto the lounge, and placed the plate on the coffee table, Noah grabbed her hand,
“Guys, we have some news for you.” Noah began. Everyone stopped talking amongst themselves and looked at the couple.
“We’re pregnant, and unplanned.” Ruth giggled, looking at Noah with adoring eyes.
“How far gone?” Alyssa asked.
“About a month.” Ruth giggled.
“Honeymoon baby!” Abbie giggled,
“Yep.” Noah admitted. The parents laughed.
“Congratulations, guys!” Melissa and Jessica said one after the other.
“When’s it due?” John asked,
“Mid May.”
“Summertime baby!” Evie giggled. Ruth picked up her eggy bread and began to eat it.
“Her craving is disgusting.” Noah complained.
“It could be sprouts.” Ruth pointed out as she swallowed her mouthful.
“Good point.” Noah chuckled.
“I can’t believe I’m gonna be an aunt!” Alyssa giggled to Ruth.
“The poor kid’s gonna have three of them.” Ellis chuckled.
“If it’s a boy it’s gonna be a total ladies man.” John added. The girls and Noah all glared at the men then everyone laughed as Ruth just kept eating.
“What! I’m hungry and pregnant! Leave me alone!” Everyone just burst out laughing as Ruth pigged out on the leftover food.