Sue went over to where Jack stood and laced her fingers through his hair. She caressed his cheek and brushed
her mouth over his. Jack pulled her close with the tautness of her stomach pressed against him. He ran his hands lightly down
her stomach, marveling at the way it seem to bloom from her body. The rest of her was still slender.
It
was true, she’d put on a few extra pounds but he’d thought she was a bit too skinny before. Of course, he would
never dare utter that sentence out loud, Jack smiled.
Her lips were soft and inviting and she seemed to melt against him as he kissed her
again. Slowly, gently he cupped her face and deepened their kiss. Sue tugged his head down toward her so she could give him
a tender kiss. Then she took his hand and led him toward the stairs and up to their bedroom.
Jack turned out the lights; a bright starry sky was above them. Jack helped her onto
the bed and knelt beside her, being very careful and gentle with her. She kissed his neck, his ear, his chin, and then found
his lips. She lost herself in the sweetness of his kisses. He saw the look on her face as he took her higher than she’d
ever been before. Then he covered his mouth over hers. Sue snuggled next to him, Jack drawing up the blanket over them, and
they drifted off to sleep.
The next day, to put the finishing touches on the nursery Jack climbs
on a ladder and hangs curtains patterned with pink bunnies and teddy bears on one window. He hangs curtains patterned with
hockey pucks and airplanes on the second window. After he is done, Jack smile at Sue and the wondrous look in his eyes told
her how much he loved her.
And when he touched her stomach and felt their twins move. He knew this
moment was something he would always savor for as long as he lived. Jack could always make her feel as if she is the most
beautiful, most desirable woman in the world. With just one look from Jack gazing into her eyes way across the room and Sue
smiling back. At that moment, Jack came over to her and pressed his face next to her stomach.
Jack talked softly to his twins telling them how much
he loves them. The twins knew it was their daddy and wanted to say Hi to him. His twins kick hard enough and Jack got hit
in the face for just a minute. Then he felt them move again and laughed. It was amazing thing to be part of this miracle.
Jack: Whoa. That was some kick little guy. I think one of our babies is definitely going to grow up and become a
football player or hockey player. (megawatt smile and raise eyebrows)
Sue: You think so? I don’t want my child playing a dangerous sport. And what if this little guy turns out to
be a girl? (glowing smile and teases Jack)
Jack: That will be even better. I have always wanted a little girl. I will teach her how to play hockey. Boys will
have to think twice before messing with our little girl. (megawatt smile, laughs, and teases Sue)
Last Lamaze class meeting room at the hospital
Jack put the pillows and exercise
mat in the back seat and helped Sue get into the car. Then he walked around the driver’s side and got in. He glanced
at her well-rounded stomach. Jack held Sue’s hands as they entered the Lamaze class. There were seven other couples
in the room. Jasmine, the Lamaze instructor went to pick up a film for the class to watch. They made themselves “comfortable”
like there is such a thing so close to their delivery date; on the floor with their pillows and husbands by their side. Jack
did not want to watch the film and wished he was hanging out with Bobby tonight.
Jack sat on the mat and stretched out his legs along either side
so Sue could sit nestled against him. He took her shoulders and drew her back against his chest. Then Jack put his arms around
her, his palms against her belly and she felt safe. Sue felt his breath, soft against her ear and felt his heart beating against
her back. Jack move aside her hair, his hands on her shoulder, his fingers gently massaging the tense muscles in her upper
back and neck. Afterward, Jack lightly massages her abdomen in a circular motion. Sue thinking:
He is really good at this. I am so relaxed right now. I should ask Jack to give me a back rub more often.
And they watched the film for an hour which was both frightening yet miraculous. They watched a typical couple
go through the various stages of labor, delivery, and then holding their child in their arms. When the lights came up, Jasmine
warned them about Braxton-Hicks contractions, or commonly known as false labor pains. Jasmine gives a review of the film and
more instructions to follow. Jasmine tells the class; it does happen to first-time mothers so remember to stretch your muscles
everyday and do your breathing exercises. In addition, it is extremely important to take deep cleansing breath before and
after contractions start to occur.
And then the class went through some simple modified-paced breathing and progressive relaxation techniques they
had seen the couple go through. Another hour went by and class was dismissed. Jack helped Sue to her feet and held onto her
hand. They walked to their car and always the gentlemen. Jack opened the door for her and helped her get in.
