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“How long have you been here?” Alina spoke before her eyes flew open, a stagnant weariness in them.
“A while. But I didn’t want to wake you.” Then he paused. “How was your sleep last night?”
Alina sighed, shifting her body so her enormous stomach wouldn’t feel so constricting. “I couldn’t find a comfortable position.” She placed her hand below her stomach. “It’s getting uncomfortable now. I spent most of my night tossing.”
Dereck massaged his girlfriend’s stomach, filled with his unborn child. “Just two months left.”
Alina signed, her forehead creased. “I’m still not sure if I’ll be able to get any sleep then. My mother said I cried so much as a baby she had to walk around the house with me in her arms the entire night.”
At the mention of her mother, Dereck’s head hung low. It wasn’t that they hated each other. In fact, Alina’s parents welcomed him when he first met them, especially since Dereck had the career she wanted badly for her daughter. However, Dereck had let them down, a situation he took full responsibility for, though her parents hadn’t seemed any closer to forgiving him over the last five months.
Sensing his uneasiness, Alina reached up and stroked his cheek. “Don’t worry, they’ll come around. Just give them some time.” She rubbed her stomach again. “Everything will change once this little one is born. You’ll see.”
Dereck didn’t quite believe his blue-eyed goddess. Despite his many attempts, her parents were still furious that he neglected their daughter in her fragile state. Only Dereck didn’t know she was pregnant when he allowed himself to be consumed by his job. Ever since then, he had been working harder on supporting Alina, especially since her nights were growing more restless.
“I’m sure it will. Babies usually have that superpower.” These were words he needed to say to put Alina’s mind at rest.
She smiled. “I love you so much.” The twinkle in her eyes was even more spectacular than usual.
“I love you more,” Dereck said before placing a kiss on her forehead. “How about some breakfast? Are you hungry?”
“Famished,” Alina said, then she frowned, her nose pushing upwards. “At this rate, I’m going to get as big as a whale.”
Alina had a figure with a small waist, protruding backside, and full hips before her pregnancy. During her pregnancy, her body naturally changed, becoming more rounded, while still maintaining her petite frame. Alina had a tanned complexion from too many hours of lounging around the pool, but over the months, her tan had faded into a paler complexion. She maintained her shoulder-length hair, but her round cheeks were fuller, matching her lips. Her navel was now bare of the piercing she’d had, having had to remove it because of her expanding belly. However, with all her physical changes, Alina remained the most attractive woman in Dereck’s eyes.
“You will always be beautiful to me.” He brushed her lips with his fingers. “Tell you what.” There was a determination in his face then. “I’m going to run a bath so you can relax while I prepare breakfast.”
Alina held his gaze, her eyes searching his. “You are too good for me.”
Her comment stung, knowing that he had hurt her deeply twice in the past. “I only give you what you deserve.” With that, Dereck rose from the bed and went into the master bedroom of their new apartment.
Since Dereck lived in a bachelor apartment and Alina in a studio, to prepare for the arrival of their child, the two moved into a four-bedroom apartment. It was about three times the cost of his previous one, but worth it to give Alina the nursery she dreamed of.
Dereck took a moment to himself before turning on the tap to fill the tub. Next, he tossed in two lavender-scented Epson salt tablets to help ease her aching body and some flower petals. The last thing Dereck did before leaving the large, mirrored washroom was to light a few scented candles, creating an ambiance.
After leaving the master bathroom, Dereck passed by the other three rooms, one of which was the half-completed nursery. Alina was in the midst of painting a sunny patch on one wall but had been dedicating less and less time to the mural recently. The other two were bare except for a bed and dresser.
The kitchen was fully furnished though with every appliance they could think of, a fridge filled with perishables and a pantry with nonperishable. Dereck took a couple of slices of bread and stacked them inside the toaster. His menu for the morning was avocado toast with sesame seeds, tomato slices, chia pudding, and freshly squeezed orange juice.
“Hmm, that looks great.” Alina strolled into the kitchen, wrapped in a bathrobe. Her freshly washed hair was still damp as she sat at the dining table in the shared space. The first thing she picked up was a slice of toast as Dereck placed some scrambled eggs on the table.
“Wow. The food isn’t going anywhere,” Dereck said, noticing Alina stuffing her mouth. “Take your time to eat.” She ate a little slower, but it did not ease his concerned mind. Alina had been eating less every day. Although she often had cravings, her appetite was not what it should be.
Dereck narrowed his eyes at Alina. She had eaten her first slice of toast but was now tossing aside the eggs on her plate. He was about to voice his disapproval when his phone rang. Dereck recognized the number immediately. It was the number that usually appeared before separating him from Alina.
“Dr. Johnson.” He answered the phone by announcing his name while keeping his gray eyes on Alina.
“Dereck,” the elderly man said. “I need you to come in for a meeting.”
Alina placed a slice of tomato in her mouth and chewed slowly.
“I don’t think I could make it in today.” There was a frown on his face. “How about tomorrow before my shift?”
“This is a time-sensitive issue,” the head of his department said. “Delays could cost you.”
With reluctance, Dereck agreed to go to the hospital. The look on Alina’s face after he ended the call told him she knew what they discussed. It was a saddened gaze with the need to be supportive. From her appearance, he knew what she would say, but he couldn’t abandon her for his job like that, not again.
Without a word, Dereck dialed another number and waited until the receiver picked up the other end.
