Amour 2: Forever Yours

Chapter 2 I now bear a two piece, silver-banded ring with a unique black diamond instead of the customary clear one on my left hand. According to Louis' request the black and white band is now worn on my left thumb. To say Louis is excited by the growing being inside of me, is the understatement of the century. He refuses to let me eat just anything, shoving greens and baby-approved meals my way instead. Not allowing me to take long shifts - no more than six hours at a given time - and ensuring I get enough sleep. I can't say I don't enjoy him being a dominant figure because at this point, my hormones are not my own and are rampant all over. "Fine. Let's go." He relents and walks - at an appropriate pace - downstairs and out the door to his SUV. My Volvo has been out of business for five months, Louis won't let me drive either. He opens my door and letting me get in before climbing in. He rolls out of the parking lot and into traffic. I shift uncomfortably in my seat as I try to improvise on my usual sitting position with my knee to my chest, the rather prominent belly that now walks before me is kinda complicating things. Because of this being my first time, my bulge is tiny and hardly visible but its there on a side profile. Today's my last day in the ER until..........well, three months after the baby isn't inside of me anymore. I try not to think about it because I'd always have an unsure feeling creep its way into my system, making me self-conscious and scared. I recall the time I'd told Nana, who had to hear two world-changing news at once: that I'd gotten back together with Louis and that I'm pregnant. *FLASHBACK* "What? Are you sure?" She wears a neutrally surprised expression making it hard to read her features. "Yes, I'm sure." I repeat. "How sure?" "I took the test......four times over." Her face lightens and takes on a spirited appearance, she approaches me and envelopes me in a fond and loving hug. "Congratulations, baby girl." She sniffs. "Now you'll have your own family." I smile almost breaking down myself at nothing in particular. Louis was there of course, after I'd begged him to come for moral support. She practically grabbed him by the collar to bring her mouth to his ear and whisper something that neither will ever reveal to me. *FLASHBACK OVER* "What's wrong?" Louis asks as we stop at a red light. "You're frowning." "Sorry. I was just.......thinking." I state honestly. "About?" "Nothing in particular." "You can't lie to me." He's right, I never could. "Seriously, nothing. See you later." I kiss his cheek and jump off the car at the entrance to the Medical Centre. "Be careful. Call me if you need anything." He says seriously before I wave him off. My ER uniform is straightforward and comfortable making my day at work easy and profitable for both patient and doctor. I do my sign-in at the nurses' station before resuming my check-up on Mr. Edward, my patient. "Hi, Eddy. How do you feel today?" I greet courteously with a smile as I enter his private room. Mr. Edward is a former engineer with a lot in his retirement fund. "Just fine. How are you then?" He questions with a smile. "Heard today's your last day." "I'm doing great. It is my last day but only for a little while." His sweet wife, Martha Edwards is sitting by his side holding his hand. "How many months are you, dear?" She asks me while I go over his vitals and IV regulars. I pause and look at her, most people couldn't tell but she did. That is odd and makes me flush. Doctors are accustomed to making idle chat with their patients but I don't know if this qualifies. "Eight. I'll be back in a while to retake Eddy's stats, he's fine at the moment. I can sign the forms to have you released tomorrow at the earliest." I say before departing. The rest of my check-ups are routine and almost default as I greet, check, chat and leave. I'm greeted with equal enthusiasm by each of my patients in the ER while I sign release forms for a few then taking the elevator up to the pediatric ward where my final patient, a Miss Rachel Evans, who was rushed into the ER on my shift when she had begun bleeding relentlessly. All is well now and she is to be released this afternoon. "Hi, Rachel." I knock on her door smiling. "Hey, Dr. Hunter." She smiles sitting up in her bed. "You can still call me Sam, Rachel. How are you feeling today? You get to go home this afternoon." "Fine, mama told me that everyone is working hard to make me a good dinner when I get home." "That's nice. Do you know what they're cooking for you?" "They won't tell me. It's a surprise." I keep the conversation going on a light and cheerful note. She laughs at my pathetic jokes and I at her much better ones. After leaving her to her lunch brought in by a nurse I go back to my domain. At the end of the day I am sufficiently exhausted and call Louis to come pick me up ten minutes early. I'd never do this under regular conditions but my body is aching all over grasping on every chance to sit down. He's parked outside patiently waiting when I exit the building and join him. Upon our arrival back at the apartment I go straight upstairs for a shower and to change. The water is soothing to my back and relaxing to all my muscles. The shower door opens and in steps Louis wearing nothing but a cheeky grin. "What's this?" I ask faking surprise. "Thought you'd want some company." He closes the door. From behind, he wraps his arms around my body which are still able to completely circle my waist even with my new bump. My baby bump isn't prominent and with loose enough clothing is entirely invisible. Nana reassured me that its just my first time, and that everything was fine. The steam emitted from the hot water engulfs us in a cloudy gusto. Louis places one hand flat on my tummy with his fingers splayed, his chin resting on my shoulder without adding pressure. "Are you scared?" I ask. "About?" He asks innocently. "This." I place my hand over his. "I mean.......what if we don't know what we're doing? What if I'm a bad mother or a terrible one?" "Sam." He hushes with a kiss on my neck. "You're going to be amazing. I'm going to be just as amazing. It will all be-" "Amazing?" "Fine." He chuckles. "It will all be just fine." When we go downstairs after I dress into the biggest items of clothing with Louis' Kings of Leon t shirt, I sit down on the large soft couch in the living room tugging my shirt down to cover any skin. "You know, we haven't decided on a name." Louis comments sitting down next to me and pulls my legs onto his lap. "We haven't?" Last I remember wars were nearly brought into being with our name discussions. "Nope. You haven't offered up a name for the baby yet." "How about Leo for a boy?" "You want a boy?" "No, I mean if it is a boy. I'm going to love my baby no matter what the sex." "Our baby, you're not alone in this." He kisses me. "And Charlotte for a girl." "I like Charlotte. There, we settled on- Ouch!" I flinch sitting up from the sudden pang in my belly. "What? What's wrong?" Louis instantly flares into concerned mode. "The baby kicked." I reply looking at him and asking for his hand. He gives it to me and I place it atop the spot I know the shock came from on my tummy placing my hand over his with my fingers falling between the gaps of his. He waits for another movement but there's nothing. "Say something." He prompts. "Like?" "The Gettysburg Address." "Fine, four score and seven years ago- Woah." I'm interrupted by a repeated shock that doesn't hurt too much this time. "He likes your voice." Louis grins. I smile in agreement to his remark. We sit there in front of an ignored TV and just talk about the most random things as Louis hopes to feel another movement from within me.

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