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Going from room to room, Katrina marveled at what they’d accomplished together in preparation for the baby. His little room sat in anticipation for Dave’s artistic touch; they’d agreed on primary-colored accessories and artwork.
Dave’s man cave had taken shape, and she felt so proud of what he’d done with the room.
“It’s like a library in here,” she said, turning around. “I’m so impressed.”
Their bedroom had evolved from strictly her space to their shared room. Every night when they got into bed, they marveled at its comfort. She stood there for a while, looking around. Soon, the life she once lived would be over. Even being with Dave hadn’t brought that much change to her life.
“I’m so glad we’re home.”
On Monday, Dave left for work after having coffee with Katrina. It made him happy to see her in her robe, her hair up in a towel, glasses and no contacts, sitting at the counter with her computer. She walked him to the door and kissed him goodbye, her belly between them.
“Goodbye, little guy,” Dave said, patting her belly. “I wish I could stay home with you.”
“Aw, you’ll get your chance when he arrives.”
The plan was that after the baby came, Dave would take weeks of paid time off in the form of unused vacation. If they needed more time, he’d take all the unpaid paternity leave the state of Louisiana allowed.
“We’re lucky we are in a financial position to do it,” he said. “It’s because of you, Katrina.”
“I’m so glad you’ll be here. Because I’ll have to get right back to work. You and baby David might be making the world tour with me.”
“Yeah, let’s not talk about that right now,” he replied, grimacing.
She laughed, kissing him again. “Come home for lunch if you can. I’ll have makeup on by then.”
“No need,” he said. “You’re beautiful au natural.”
She watched him back out down the driveway, waving once more.
Despite what the doctor had told her repeatedly, that the baby would need what every other baby did, it still scared her. The only thing that kept her sane was the knowledge that she’d hurt Dave if she revealed to him how worried, how concerned for the baby and his upbringing she was. Secretly, there were moments of regret that she’d gotten pregnant the first time they were together and that filled her with shame. She learned quickly to nip those thoughts in the bud.
“Get busy,” she admonished herself.
Glancing in the mirror, she laughed, pulling the towel off her head. She’d mastered the messy bun, and that came next, with lipstick. She wore one of Dave’s t-shirts, this one had Po-Po on the front of it in big black letters, and black leggings. No bra with a large basketball under the shirt, she was about as comfortable as she’d been in a while.
An hour later, at the counter again, after talking to her team on a Zoom call that had been productive, she was ready for another cup of coffee. Puttering around the kitchen, she was just pouring creamer in the cup when the front doorbell rang.
It was so unusual to have anyone come to the door she was taken aback, so she looked at the app for the doorbell and had the shock of her life; it was Amber Greely, her arms loaded with packages.
To help calm down, she took in a deep breath. It occurred to her that Amber might have said something to Dave about coming over, but he would have risked suffering Katrina’s wrath and called to warn her.
“Oh hell,” she muttered, walking to the door.
She opened up to face Amber, and it was more than packages; it was baby gifts and a huge bouquet of balloons. There was a uniformed driver standing behind her, also bearing gifts.
“I’m sorry I’m unannounced,” she said, seeing the shock on Katrina’s face. “It seemed weird to call you. It’s probably weird, regardless.”
“Amber.”
“I’m sorry,” she repeated.
Resigned that her morning was disrupted and there was really nothing she could do about it, Katrina stood aside and held the door open for Amber, who juggled this enormous pile of wrapped boxes and gift bags, followed by the driver.
She stepped into the cottage and looked around. “Oh, this is lovely. What a beautiful place.”
The driver stood there with the gifts. “Um, you can put those on that table,” Katrina said, pointing at the light-filled dining room.
He did so and Amber nodded to him when he left the cottage.
