"No. It's bearable." She noticed with delight that the bath was steaming and fragrant.
"Thanks."
"My pleasure."
She started to take off her clothes when he stopped her. "Turn around."
Puzzled, she did just that, and he removed her wraparound dress from behind. She was still carrying the baby weight and was anxious to get rid of it. Lori and the others had already given her an idea how to go about it, and she could not wait to start. She was dying to feel like herself again.
When she was naked, he took her hand and helped her into the claw footed bath that could easily hold six people.
"Aren't you going to join me?" She sank down and sighed as the water lapped around her.
"I'm going to check on the babies and ensure that the monitors are on." He spared her a glance. "Besides, this is for you. Want some tea?"
"No. A glass of wine would do the trick." She grinned at his expression. "Just kidding, mostly."
"I'll be right back." He left, closing the door behind him.
Dipping her hands in the water, she made circles in the suds and tried to convince herself that something was not off. He was attentive enough, that much was evident. He took care of her and had been working remotely since she was in the hospital. He made sure that she ate properly and was very attentive and aware of her needs.
She couldn't make a step without him watching to make sure she was not overdoing it. He touched her, but it was as if he was touching a relative, not his wife. She knew how she looked. Carrying three babies inside her was bound to increase her weight. Her tummy was still big.
The doctors told her that with the breastfeeding and exercises, when she was strong enough and not in so much discomfort, it would soon change.
Or she was being paranoid, she mused. Her husband was a virile and handsome man who created a lot of stir and interest whenever they were out in public. But she was his wife, she was the one wearing his ring and bearing his name. She was theone who had given him children. He loved her. He showed her constantly.
He had not been out much, well except for the meeting he claimed he had gone to yesterday afternoon. But what if it wasn't a meeting? Picking up the sponge, she started soaping herself up. What if he had started seeing someone else?
She worried her bottom lip and felt the anxiety starting. He loved sex and they had been very active even up to a few days before she had to go to the hospital. This week made it a total of two weeks and several days since they hadn't been together physically. He still slept with his arms around her every night. Usually, he would be nuzzling her neck or kissing her, deep drugging kisses, but so far, nothing. Just a peck on the cheek or forehead.
When he pushed the door open, she forced away the troubling thoughts and decided to test her suspicions.
"They're all knocked out for the night. Ready?"
"Yes. The water is getting lukewarm." She started to push up when he went behind her to help.
"Let me get the towel." Reaching for the fluffy ones on top of the cabinet, he unfolded one and wrapped it around her from neck to knees before helping her out. Taking her hand, he guided her into the bedroom and proceeded in rubbing her from behind.
"You do the front. I'll get the nightgown."
She no longer had any doubt. Her husband was no longer attracted to her. The pain of it almost doubled her over.
But she had to hear it from his lips. He owed her that.
Taking the open fronted nightgown from him, she slipped into it and let herself be guided towards the bed.
"I have some things that need to be dealt with. I'll be in the office. Get some sleep."
"No." Pressing her lips together, she eased up on the mound of pillows. "We need to talk."
"About?"
"Have a seat." She patted the space at her hip and waited until he had sat down. "We promised to be honest with each other, no matter what."
"We did. What's this about?"
"You're being far from honest."
