I stride into her bedroom, towel drying my hair, and I pull up short when I see her curled up on her side of the bed, fast asleep in nothing but an oversized T-shirt. I toss the towel into the hamper and lift her into my arms, shifting her to the side of the bed away from the door before I tuck the blankets around her. The entire time, she doesn’t so much as flinch.
After a quick trip into the living room to lock up and turn off the lights, I slide into bed and wrap myself around her. We slot together like two halves of a whole, and it’s not long before I drift off to sleep with my wife in my arms.
Chapter 22
Coloradough
? So Easy (To Fall In Love) - Olivia Dean
16 weeks: Baby is the size of a sugar glider
Angelina
So maybe Ijumped the gun.
The HG symptoms abated for all of two days before they came back in full force. It’s been an uphill battle ever since. Thankfully, with Griffin’s support, I’ve managed to avoid hospitalization. He makes sure I drink plenty of fluids and keeps me stocked up on bland foods. The last two weeks have been hell, but it seems to be improving with my new medication.
In the meantime, Griffin’s been staying at my place every night. If he’s around in the morning, I’m served breakfast in bed. If he has to be at the ranch bright and early, he leaves me leftovers in the microwave or oats in the fridge, always with a sticky note written like a haiku poem. It’s ridiculous but sweet.
Today’s note:
Good morning, Angel
Overnight oats in the fridge.
See you after work.
xo - Husband
If I never see another whole grain again when this pregnancy is over, it’ll be too soon. To Griffin’s credit, he’s done his best to find ways to make it more palatable. Today’s recipe includes Greek yogurt, honey, and a handful of chocolate chips. All things considered, it could be worse. I’m grateful for his thoughtfulness—it’s not his fault I can’t stomach any real food.
I finish my breakfast and dress for the day. My scrubs feel looser around my ass and thighs, no doubt due to the weight I’ve lost since the diagnosis. Ihateit. The baby isn’t even here yet, and I’m already failing. This should be the easy part.
When I think about all the ways a person is supposed to change during pregnancy, this was never even a thought that crossed my mind. My body is betraying me, and I’m helpless to stop it.
As I’m heading out the door to my first appointment of the day, my phone chimes with a text message.
Callie: Do you have time to come over today? Atticus is acting weird, and I’m a little worried.
Me: Sure. I can be there around noon, unless it’s urgent.
Callie: That works. You’re the best!
“No offense, Angie, but you look like shit,” Marnie says as I stride into work with my puke bucket in one hand and my purse in the other.
Just the person I want to see first thing in the morning with her complimentary words and sunny disposition.
“You know I can fire you, right?”
She shrugs. “But you won’t.” The phone rings, and she answers it. “Oak Ridge Animal Clinic, Marnie speaking. Hello, Mr. Wilson…”
My eyes bug out of my head. “I’m not here.” I mouth the words as I dart past Micah into the back office.
He follows me in, closing the door behind us. “Is someone chasing you? And why do you have a kid’s Halloween bucket?”
I set it down on the desk and pull out the bottle of ginger ale, a sleeve of saltines, and a pack of gum like a magician pulling a rabbit out of a hat.
“Because it has a handle,” I move the handle up and down. “See? Portable. Efficient.”
