I can’t possibly stay here.I’m of no use to anyone.My only goal in coming back here was to deliver my baby somewhere safe so it could be placed in a loving home.I don’t even know if that’s possible.But it’s my goal.
“I’m going to leave you alone to bathe, sunshine.Yell if you need anything, okay?”
“Thank you,” I murmur.
Aaric leans down and kisses my forehead.It’s so sweet and caring that I nearly choke up.I’ve been treated better in the last two hours than in the past two years.Maybe I could stay here, at least for a few weeks, until I can figure out what to do next.
The truth is, I don’t have a plan.All my focus has been on saving the life of the child growing inside me.I’ve never dared worry about what happens to me.I honestly don’t expect to survive the birth.Why should I?I don’t deserve it.But this baby deserves a chance.
I slowly remove my clothes.The skirts are so heavy that I feel lighter just from taking them off.The sweater is also heavy.I leave it all in a pile near the sink because I don’t know what else to do.I’ll need to wash them.Maybe Aaric will let me use his machine.
I have no idea what I’m going to put on when I get out of this bathtub.I hadn’t thought of that before I stripped.The thought of putting any of those filthy layers back on makes me cringe.I’ll have to deal with that next.One thing at a time, though.
I reach in and check the water before finally stepping over the side.My balance is terrible.My belly is so huge that I can barely see my feet when I’m standing.
The moan that escapes my mouth as I sit startles me.I find myself smiling, too.Nothing has felt this good in my life.Quickly, I turn the water off.It’s already several inches high.I don’t want to be wasteful.
There’s a knock at the door, and I panic.“Hannah?”
“Yes?”My voice squeaks.I don’t know what to do.I’m naked.Is Aaric going to come in?
“Is something wrong with the water, sunshine?I heard it turn off.”
“No,” I call out.“It’s fine.”
“Surely you can’t have more than two inches yet.”
I glance at the water.I’ve never taken a bath in water deeper than this.
“Hannah, honey, fill the tub as high as you can.It won’t be relaxing if you’re not completely submerged.”
My eyes pop wide.He can’t be serious.“That would be so wasteful.”
“It’s fine, honey.We have plenty of hot water.I promise.Fill the tub.Also, I texted Adam.He and Rebekah are bringing over some things for you to wear.I’ll set them outside the door for you, okay?”
That’s a relief.“Yes.Thank you.”
“Fill the tub, sunshine,” he orders again.
I find myself smiling as I turn the water back on.This is a level of luxury I’ve never known.It’s hard for me to fathom.Filling a tub with water?Hot water at that.Mindboggling.
I relax deeper and deeper as the water rises.It truly does feel like heaven.I’m engulfed in warmth.I’m so exhausted that I fear I might fall asleep and drown if I don’t keep moving, so I slide under the water to completely submerge my head.
I shampoo my hair twice before putting conditioner on it, grateful he even has conditioner.Then I wash the rest of my body.Finally, I let myself relax and close my eyes.Just for a few minutes.
It’s impossible not to doze off.Every time my body slips, I jerk awake, but I don’t want to get out.When another knock sounds at the door, I’m so startled that I squeal.
“I’m sorry,” Aaric calls out.“I didn’t mean to scare you.I’m just putting some clothes here.I’ve included one of my T-shirts because I’m afraid none of Rebekah’s shirts will fit around your tummy.”
He’s so thoughtful.I shouldn’t be surprised.The Gallants were always kind and friendly.It’s been so long since anyone has been this nice to me that I’d forgotten it was possible.
“I’ll shut the bedroom door so you can open this door without worrying, sunshine.”
“Thank you,” I say yet again.
I don’t linger much longer.I want to, but I’m too tired, and I don’t want to take advantage of Aaric’s generosity by hogging his bathroom all afternoon.My favorite part is that there’s a hose attachment next to the main faucet.I discover a knob next to it, so when I turn the water back on, I can rinse my hair with clean water instead of dunking it in the brown filth.
I’m very careful getting out of the tub as the water runs down the drain.The last thing I want to do is fall.That would be so embarrassing.I stand on the thick navy bathmat and reach for a towel.
