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So far since he died that’s all I’ve thought about, is the fact he’s gone. I haven’t thought about the night in question, I’m secretly praying I’ll suppress it forever because if I even get a glimpse of his lifeless body lying on our bed ever again, I’ll die inside and I’ll never be revivable.
He assures me that I’m at a higher risk of post-natal depression due to the events and he’s concerned for my mental state when the baby is born. Which is a ridiculous notion because it’s half of Caleb, if anything I’ll love him or her even more than I would have done if Caleb was beside me. So I refuse the help and thank him anyway.
Nathan is on time which I like, I’m never late for anything. Caleb used to joke and say I’d probably go into labour exactly at midnight on my due date. The funny thing is, I don’t disagree with him. I don’t think I’ve ever been late for anything in my life. Poor time keeping is not a good trait to have.
I don’t say hi as I climb into the car. He looks ticked off that I don’t wait for him to help me in but who cares? Not me.
I place the scan picture in my bag and tilt my seat back a little.
“I took all of your things inside,” he says. “I apologize for not doing it sooner.”
“Thanks.”
He spares me a glance, “Did your appointment go well?”
“Isn’t the private doctor just going to call and inform you of the developments later?”
He sighs, “I’m just trying to give you a good level of healthcare so everything goes as smoothly as possible.”
“I’m not complaining,” I admit honestly and look at his profile. “I just think we should have discussed it first.”
His tongue runs along his bottom lip, “Guinevere. Am I okay to assume you’d like private healthcare?”
“If you’re offering then I won’t decline,” I say, wanting to smile but it won’t come.
“Good. So how did it go?” I open my mouth to repeat my earlier statement but he cuts me off. “Contrary to your beliefs I’m big on privacy and I wouldn’t invade yours in such a way. If you don’t feel like telling me then fine, I won’t ask again.”
That’s actually kind of sweet in a strange way. “It went great, he’s checking me for diabetes because apparently people with diabetes have bigger babies but he’s sure I’m fine. I don’t have any of the symptoms.”
“Your baby is too big?”
“He’s guessing it’ll be about nine pounds,” I wince, not wanting to push out something that large.
Nathan’s lips twitch, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen him smile. Well, slightly smile. I wonder if that’s because of grief like me. “Caleb was eight pounds twelve.”
“I didn’t know that. What about you?”
He looks at me in shock but only for a second, as if me being interested in his birth weight is a ridiculous notion. Have I been that much of a bitch?
No.
He’s been just as unapproachable, if not even more so than me.
“I was nine five,” he says this quietly and twists his fists on the wheel.
“Yay. My baby is going to destroy me,” I mumble.
His hand goes to my knee, he gives it a soft squeeze. “You’ll be fine.” Now I’m the one gaping in shock and I’m doing it for a lot longer than a second. Even though his hand only stayed there for a brief and comforting squeeze I still feel his touch linger. What the hell was that?
I’m even more shocked when we don’t go home immediately, we make a stop at a clothing store. He leads me inside and puts me at the mercy of two women with tape measures.
“This one,” he says and points to a row of clothing. “These and these. Have them ready by next Monday and I’ll pick them up by eleven.”
I’m annoyed he’s choosing my clothes but I don’t say anything because I do need new clothes and the ones he’s picked are actually quite nice. Even if they are mostly black and white.
“I’m shocked,” he announces and runs his hands over a row of stretchy denim jeans.
“About?”
“You’re not arguing with me, I thought for sure I’d have a Guinevere induced migraine by now.”
Scowl. “I don’t give you migraines.”
“I’ve never had so many migraines in my life,” I’m about to snap but I realise this is his way of teasing, it’s the first time I’ve ever seen any emotion other than irritation in his eyes. He leads me out of the shop and helps me back into the car, we don’t pull out immediately as he sits, staring ahead aimlessly. I can see he wants to say something, I don’t prompt him; I only wait. “Look Guinevere. I know this move hasn’t been easy.” You can say that again. “And I know what you’re going through is a grief like none I can imagine.” You can definitely say that again. “I think things have been tense… for both of us and I’d like it if we could try to get along. This stress isn’t good for you and it’s irritating me greatly. My home shouldn’t be a place of war. I want you to feel comfortable.”
