“Can you make it so cold I can use a fluffy blanket?” she asked, and I smiled.
“Colder than the arctic. C’mon, let’s get you cooled off.”
Escorting Fiona back upstairs I had to refrain from anyGodzillareferences as I took in her much slower pace. Her stomach led the way, looking impossibly large considering her small frame. Fiona was beautiful to me at all times. It didn’t matter if she was dressed for dinner or running on an hour of sleep after a night up with a colicky baby.
Pregnant Fiona, though, was a sight to behold. Her skin glowed, her curves flared out, making everything fuller. She looked lush and vibrant. It took everything I had not to pull her to me at all times of the day.
However I knew this pregnancy was turning out to be rougher than what she experienced when she was pregnant with Birdie. Cramps, heartburn, insomnia. Poor Fee couldn’t catch a break. I couldn’t take the physical burden from her, but I could try to make things easier, more comfortable.
We took a quiet shower together. I held Fee in my arms as the cool water ran over us. She sighed as I massaged her lower back and encouraged her to lean more of her weight on me. Once her body was lax and goose bumps appeared on her skin, I turned the water off.
Gently helping her out of the shower, I made sure she was steady on her feet before grabbing towels. Not letting her move a muscle, I toweled her off making sure not to miss a spot. I led her to the bed where I had already pulled back the covers. With the AC on high, I gently helped her get up onto the mattress before tucking her in.
“Go back to sleep, I’m gonna take care of Birdie, get out of the house for a bit. Do not leave this room,” I told her with a stern look.
“Okay, just for a few hours. I can still get everything done for dinner if I start by noon,” she muttered, snuggling under the fluffy down comforter she insisted on using even when it was eighty degrees out in August. Pressing a kiss to her forehead, I left the room, closing the door quietly behind me.
Birdie was just waking up by the time I got Fee settled. She stumbled to her feet when I came in, her arms reaching up for me. Bending down, I carried my daughter over to the glider we used to rock her in when she was a baby.
Birdie was a slow riser, it took her a bit to fully wake up. Her body was warm from sleep and her hair was sticking out every which way. I enjoyed the quiet moment with my daughter, gently rocking us as she snuggled into my chest.
“Did you have good dreams, baby girl?” I asked, keeping my voice low. She nodded into my chest as she tried to wipe the sleep from her eyes. We read a book while she fully woke up before getting dressed and ready for the day. While we were upstairs, I packed an overnight bag for Birdie as I sent a quick text to my parents.
Whispering to each other, I carried Birdie downstairs, and got her in her high chair. Sliced bananas and cheerios littered her tray and floor as she happily munched away on her breakfast. After getting confirmation that my parents were happy to take Birdie for the night, I looked over at my baby girl.
“What do you think about a sleepover at grandma and grandpa’s tonight?” I asked, and she perked up at that. Smashing the piece of banana I had just handed to her, she clapped her hands at the idea.
“Sweepover!” she cheered. My parents frequently watched Birdie for us, and whenever she went there, they stuffed her full of sugar, said yes to her every request, and watched cartoons before bed.
“After you finish breakfast, I’ll take you over there and you can play with Aunt Charlie. How does that sound, Birdie-bee?” I asked, and she screeched.
“AUNTIE CHARWIE!” I quickly looked upstairs to see if Fiona had woken up, but no sounds came and I sighed in relief. After breakfast, I hosed Birdie off and got her secured in the car. By the time I got to my parents’ house, they were already waiting outside. Before I even had the car in park, Guard was walking over to let Birdie out of her car seat.
“You ready for a slumber party, Birdie girl?”
“Slumber party!” she cheered, grabbing a handful of Dad’s beard as he lifted her out of the car.
“That’s right! We’re gonna have so much fun!” he told her as Charlie pulled in next to me. She was out of her car in a minute, and rushing to take Birdie from our dad.
We all went inside, and the familiar chaos warmed me.
“How’s Fee doing?” Mom asked, concern on her face.
“She’s uncomfortable and tired. Can you do me a favor and let everyone know there’s no dinner tonight? I want to give Fiona aday off. Let her just relax,” I told my family, and they all nodded in agreement.
“Of course. Don’t worry about a thing. We’ll make sure no one bothers you. Now go get back to your wife so we can have fun with the princess.” After several hugs, kisses, and false promises not to let Birdie stay up too late or eat too much sugar, I left my parents’ house and headed for the supermarket.
I stocked up on all Fiona’s favorite snacks, making sure to get the candy and popcorn she would typically eat if we were out at the movies. Once home, I was grateful to find the house silent and Fiona still asleep under the mountain of blankets she had piled on. It was nearing lunchtime, so I called in an order from her favorite Chinese food place, and by the time it arrived, she had finally started waking up.
Groggy and disoriented, Fiona came down the stairs as I pulled the last container out. Seeing the takeout, combined with the packages of candy and popcorn on the counter had Fiona’s eyes widening.
“What’s all this?” she asked, her voice rough with sleep.
“I thought we could have a night to ourselves. Birdie is staying with my parents and no one is coming over for dinner. I got your favorite dishes for lunch and all the popcorn and candy you can dream of. I thought we could have a movie marathon in bed together.” An unreadable expression passed over her face and for a moment I was worried I had done something wrong.
“What is it? Do you miss Birdie? We can go get her. Whatever you want to do, baby girl. I just want to make sure you get some rest. Some Fiona time,” I told her. And to my shock and horror, she burst into tears.
“Why are you being so nice? How did you even know I needed this! You’re impossible.” She cried angrily, and I couldn’t help but laugh.
