Her breasts looked as if they had doubled in size. She had gone from an A cup to a B. She was not one of the women who longed for big boobs. Hers had been small and she was okay with it. Now, she was blowing up like a damn balloon.
Secretly, she was wondering if Christos would find her less attractive. He had his pick of beautiful women. He said he loved her, but living with her, dealing with all the less attractive side effects of pregnancy would turn any man off.
A few nights ago, the gas had escaped and the fart had been loud and smelly. It had embarrassed her so much, she had fled into the bathroom and stayed there for a few minutes. He had been the one to come and get her. And assured her that he knew what to expect.
"There's no need to act as if I'm some stranger. I'm the father of those babies and nothing about you will ever turn me off."
She wondered if he was just saying that. Then there was the damn leakage. If this continued, she was going to have to start wearing adult diapers. She could not get to the bathroom fast enough.
She had to keep changing her underwear, even though she was wearing panty shields. And she smelled. Her armpits were always sweating. She had to be taking showers twice a day.
She also suffered from UTI, another wonderful side effect. She had suggested he sleep somewhere else, but he would not hear of it. She wanted to be alone in her humiliation, and he was not giving her the chance to be.
Wrapping the blanket around her, she sniffed and reached for the phone. She could not afford to sit around feeling sorry for herself. She had work to do and her assistant was awaiting further instructions.
*****
"Antoine made some lentil soup, which I think would soothe Leanne's stomach very well. Your papa and I wondered if we could stop by on our way to the play."
"I don't think that's a good idea." Putting aside the blueprint and notes for the floating palace, he stretched his legs out. He hadn't been so caught up, that he did not take the chance to check on her. He had taken the coward's way out and done so via the housekeeper.
The woman informed him that 'the missus' had finished her soup and turkey sandwich.
"It's on our way. And we spoke to Dr. Henderson, and she told us about the high blood pressure and swollen ankles. Also, that Leanne is planning on going to work next week."
He did not bother to sigh at the clear invasion of privacy.
"Isn't that some sort of HIPAA violation?" He asked resignedly.
"The dear woman is so pleased at the additional hefty contribution the girls and I plan to donate to the research arm of the clinic; she was willing to put aside her ethics and give me the answer I needed."
"You could have asked me."
"You were unavailable or your phone turned off and Leanne wasn't answering hers. And I needed answers."
"Mother, you're incorrigible and that's not a compliment."
"I'm taking it as one. Darling, are you all right? The doctor also told us you were arguing about her going back to work."
"I see I'm going to have to find a new doctor." Pushing from the chair, he strode over to the window. "Mother, there's an absolute limit to the amount of interference I will allow. This is between Leanne and me. I want you to stay out of it."
"I can't. I've never stayed out of my children's affairs, especially when it comes to them becoming parents and I certainly will not start now. You happen to be my baby."
"I'm not--" Closing his eyes, he leaned against the cold pane of glass and considered banging his head against it. Taking a deep breath, he tried for calm instead. "Mother, we're fine. Leanne is just in one of her moods because I insisted on going on the ship."
"But of course, that's the right thing to do! You have to be near her at a time like this. And darling, please don't worry about the meetings you had lined up. The boys are shuffling things around to accommodate your absence and if necessary, I'll step in."
And just like that, he felt his frustrated anger melting away. He was also reminded what a supportive family he had.
"I love you, mother."
"I know you do. I love you too darling. Tell you what. We'll just drop off the soup and be on our way. Petros Kostas! We're running late." Sighing, she continued. "If you follow that man, he primps in front of the mirror all evening. As if he's getting any prettier."
"I have to be on high alert in order to compete with a woman of your outstanding beauty." His father's voice filtered through the line. "Hello son."
"Hi dad."
"Is she giving you a hard time?"
