Chapter Six

By the time I was five months into the pregnancy, Aj insisted he does everything for me. He asked me to take maternity leave when I hit eight months. I spent all my time with Aj. He pampered me.

He made me feel bad. He bought me so many things. He works hard for the money he earns. He bought me fluffy stuffed animals to cushion my bed. He catered to my every need. Especially when it came to my food cravings. He gave me some of his food when I didn't even ask, though I sometimes didn't complain.

Around the last month, he was extremely cautious and sometimes a little impatient. He had gotten all the bottles. The diapers that had a scent to it. And then a crib to put in my room. Hell, he even bought one to put in his own apartment. Along with a rocking bassinet for naps.

The days leading up to the delivery, he asked that I stay with him. He said he didn't want me going to school despite there only being two months left. He was very cautious. He didn't have sex with me that last month for fear of hurting me or inducing labor. I found that to be quite annoying because I seemed to have a very high sex drive.

A half a day after the initial disappointment of asking for sex and being denied, I asked if he could take me up to a McDonald's because I was craving chicken nuggets and fries. He chuckled and shook his head. He slung an arm around my waist and hugged me from the side. He kissed the side of my head as he grabbed his car keys.

He held my waist tightly as we descended the stairs. And he very cautiously loaded me into the front seat of his car. He drove me to the nearest McDonald's. "Do you want to go to the drive thru or go inside?" He asked. "Inside. They have a play area." I beam. He smiles. "You're so cute." He murmurs, splaying his hand out over my belly. He continues driving and parks in the lot.

He climbs out of the car and tightly grips my hand as I exit. We walk hand in hand into the restaurant. I peek out shyly from behind his shoulder as he orders. I tug his shirt. "Can you order for me?" I ask. I don't look at him. I look at the display case with glazed eyes. I had a shy smile on my face.

"Here or to go?" The chipper cashier asks. "Here, please." Aj said. The woman behind the counter looks at me curiously. People working in the kitchen had peered their heads behind the corner. I lean into his arm even more to hide. I now regret deciding to eat here. I feel as though I'm being judged for being pregnant.

Aj senses my discomfort. "Hey, uh. Can we change that to a to go order?"

Because of the size of my stomach, there was no room for any other sleeping positions other than the fetal position. Very fitting. I think bitterly. I wait until Aj comes into his room to lay down with me. He'd either spoon me or lay on his back. I'd always rest my pregnant stomach on top of his toned stomach.

Our baby would end up gravitating towards his stomach as if to lay on him as well. Sometimes it would kick. The first time I felt our baby kick, I called Aj in the room. I had the hem of my shirt lifted above my stomach and I was smiling. "Baby!" I called out in a rushed tone. He came running.

"What? What is it?" He says, worriedly. He looks at my smiling face.

"He kicked!" I smile. AJ rushes to me and kneels down. He encircles his arms around my waist and he kisses my stomach. Only to be kicked in the face by our baby. He laughs and I giggle. He places his hand down flat where I felt the baby kick. I place my hand atop his and watch his face as he kicks again.

That was a happy moment. I'm brought back to the moment I'm currently in. I have my tummy resting on top of his. He lets out a contented sigh. I smile.

I lean forward and plant a chaste and quick kiss on his lips. "You're so sweet," He coos. I lean to kiss him again, this time holding my hands to his cheeks. I massage his lips with my own. I poke his tongue through and he pauses. He slowly pulls away.

"Don't tempt me, Rena." He warned. My heart skips a beat and a warm feeling in my stomach sets in.

I attack his lips again and with force. He doesn't hesitate to reciprocate the kiss and I moan. With difficulty, I climb on his lap. I start to grind against the bulge that hardened too quickly. I move down his neck and he lolls his head to the side. "Oh, baby." He groans. Maybe I'd finally get what I've been wanting. I stopped grinding because it had become uncomfortable for my belly.

I just continue kissing his neck. Then an overwhelming tiredness consumes me. "Mm. I'm tired." I murmur, rubbing my eyes. Immediately, I feel him go flaccid. I forgot he was able to train himself to go flaccid when the mood was supposedly ruined.

He rubs my back and I lay my cheek against his clavicle. I breathe against his neck and sigh softly. "I'm sorry, sir." I say sheepishly. "No, baby. Don't apologize. You're fine." He whispers. He kisses my temple and then gently lays me down to rest. I immediately roll to my side with my back to him. I place my hand on my thigh which tells him to hold it and spoon me.

He settles behind me and takes my hand. He peppers soft kisses against the nape of my neck and I hum in appreciation. "Good night baby, I love you." He murmurs. "Mm. I love you more. Our baby loves you." I giggle. I feel as though life from here can only get better.

When the day came for the baby to come, I was calling for Aj. He hurriedly came in, and saw me holding my stomach. I was sweating badly. I had been clenching my jaw from all the pain I was going through. And it didn't help that the baby was pushing to be let out.

I knew birth was painful, but this was worse than any period cramp. I regret living blissfully. That bliss has been ripped from my hands and for replacement, pain and fear.

Yes. Fear. My jaw slackens as he rushes to my side. The amniotic fluid gushes out as I allow him to lead me out to the living room. He calls for his friend Al and asks that he watches over his apartment while he's away. He sets me down on the couch and he hurries to get our bags.

Now I'm glad he's been preparing. He sets the bags down by the door. "Okay, baby. You're probably going to yell at me, but I need to wait until Al gets here. I don't trust having my apartment empty." He murmurs. He holds my hand and I clutch it tightly. I seethe through the pain. I take enough deep breaths to finally muster my response.

"It's-ah! It's fine." I pant heavily. I feel another surge of amniotic fluid. "Mm. I think I may have ruined our couch." I mumble. I lift a leg and shift around. I look up at Aj through glazed eyes. He returns my gaze with a soft expression. "Dah, it'll be alright." He says. He kisses my nose.

A knock comes at the door. "It's open!" Aj calls out. I cringe at the noise level. Al walks in. Aj's friend was quite immature despite being 23 or 24. I can't comprehend much except the fact I have a baby forcibly trying to come out of my vagina.

Al takes one look at me and then turns his head to gaze wearily at Aj.

"I'm here now. You need to get her to the doctor. She doesn't look too good." He says. This clueless motherfucker. "He's so dense, how is he alive?" I wonder quietly.

"I'M IN LABOR YOU MORON!" I shout. Immediately I felt bad. I smile shyly and apologize. "I ruined the couch, probably don't sit on it." I say quietly. Another contraction hits and it hits hard. I scream.

Everything becomes a little hazy and I slump against Don. "Rena? Rena?!" Aj shouts. He lightly pats my cheeks but I can only look at him lazily. "We... need to leave." I mumble. I feel myself slowly fall asleep.

The last thing I hear is Aj grumbling. "Now you gotta help me put her in the car. Touch her in any gross way I will slice your head off and barbecue it."

Then- nothing.