“Rose looked very pretty,” Jerlina leaned on Jeremy’s chest as they were returning home.

“Hmm… You were prettier…” Jeremy ran his finger through her hair.

“You’re getting better at talking to me, Joel. You are learning…” Jerlina looked up and kissed his chin. Feeling his prickly beard she smiled and nestled in his chest once more. 

“I am…” Jeremy chuckled. He turned behind. “Looks like Cia fell asleep finally.”

“Yeah, good for her. And shush. Let’s not wake that poor baby up.” Jerlina closed her eyes.

They were returning in their private jet with Bobby’s family and it was tough for the baby. Cia didn’t like the flight back and was screaming non-stop. Thankfully she got pacified by Bobby’s singing. 

They returned and Jerlina’s second trimester went smoothly. Jeremy was busy. People were calling him to visit Bonivia and he made a week-long trip. He was not willing to leave her alone, but Jerlina asked him to go. They have a doctor in their home and she has others who can help her in case of emergency so she wasn’t scared for Jeremy’s travel.

She did worry that his life might be in danger. Although people largely hated the Dictator, he had supporters too. They might do something to Jeremy as their lives changed overnight and Jeremy is the enemy of the dictator. 

But thankfully his visit went without a hitch. 

Jerlina saw the pictures Jeremy took with the people there. He had a big smile on his face and the people were exhilarated seeing him there. He helped the people there in building the houses and oversaw the charity efforts taking place. Jerlina asked him to wear a suit but he was there standing in his plaid shirts and jeans.

My husband is awesome!

Immediately after the incident with Emma, Charlie wanted to go “backpacking”. Although Jeremy didn’t understand him, Jerlina did. It seemed like Charlie was feeling alone seeing couples everywhere and hearing news of pregnancies.

“I want to clear my mind and figure out what I want, Squirrel,” he told her before he left. 

He sent her some pictures from the Grand Canyon and some from the woods in Alaska. The last picture he sent was from a Casino in Las Vegas. With every picture, his hair got longer and he looked, tanner. But Jerlina could see that he is enjoying the life of a nomad. 

As her belly got bigger, it became tougher for Jerlina to breathe and she started to feel heavier. But the little movements she could feel inside her stomach would always make her smile. Those little flutters inside her mean that her baby is healthy and is growing well. 

That morning, as usual, she stood in front of the mirror to have a look at her belly. It’s her twenty-third week of pregnancy, but oddly she had a distinct bump. Scarlett had a smaller bump than her and Jerlina looked like she was already in her third trimester. Dr. Kruger assured her that her baby and she, both are fine. The doctor also added that it is because she is skinny and short (which hacked her heart). 

But, yeah, if the baby is fine… then, all is well!

Jerlina stared in the mirror. Not only her bump, but her boobs also got bigger. She is now officially a B-cup.

Hurray!

Although her bump was big and she could feel the baby’s kicks, Jeremy couldn’t feel it yet. And today he got pretty disappointed with it.

As soon as he woke up, he kissed her and her belly as usual. Jerlina felt the movement inside her belly and her lips curved to a smile.

“Is he kicking?” Jeremy asked with expectation and pressed his hand on her belly. 

And as always her son went silent. He didn’t move even a bit.

“I am sorry…” Jerlina grimaced after he waited for five minutes.

“You should be!” he shouted out of nowhere. “You grabbed my Y-chromosome out of all the X- chromosomes so you could have the baby all for yourself!” he shouted and stormed off.

Okay… She had no idea how she managed to “grab” his Y-chromosome and didn’t understand why he thinks that boys can’t be close with their fathers.

His personal experience might play a role here.  She felt sorry for him.

“Your dad is an idiot, right? How can I choose his chromosome… Don’t listen to his stupidity, okay?” Jerlina rubbed her belly. Her lips curved and her face was glowing with happiness as she spoke to her baby softly. “Son, why don’t you let your father feel you move? He’s pitiful, isn’t he? Reveal yourself to that poor man… he loves you a lot…”

And that’s when she felt it… a strong kick on her palm. 

Jerlina ran to the balcony and screamed at the shed where Jeremy is. 

He grumbled at her and looked angry. She thought he went for a run to calm himself but he is tinkering in the shed. He already finished the crib and he is now making a wooden horse rocking chair.

“Joel! Come here!” she shouted and the next moment he sprinted out of the shed still with a tool in his hand.

“Jeryl! Are you okay?” he looked at her with his face pale out of fright.

“I am fine, calm down!” Jerlina didn’t think she’d make him panic. “It’s just… The baby! He’s moving. Come feel it!” she called him.

“That’s it?” he threw the tool to the ground and she could see him pout from up on the balcony.

“Come on… Here… Yeep! Another strong kick… I bet he’d become a soccer player. Joel! Come on!” she called the big guy turning his back at her hand walking back to the shed.

Jerlina decided to get in as he is pouting, but she could feel strong kicks and she could see the movements above her shirt. This was the first time she saw this. She ran to the mirror and lifted her shirt to have a clear look.

Ah…beautiful…

As she was looking, she heard the door opening behind her. She thought it was Dr. Kruger but she rarely comes to their room and she would knock. If so…

She turned to see Jeremy walking in. He was a little out of breath. He must have run here. She said nothing. She could still feel the stirring inside her belly and she walked to him. She held his hand and placed it on her belly. She looked at his face that was filled with excitement. 

Please… baby…

“Son..?” Jeremy said and Jerlina winced as she felt a strong kick and some movements.

She pressed his hand on her belly. “Did you feel it, Joel?” she asked and she saw Jeremy plopping on the floor on his knees.

“Jeryl…” he said after feeling the kicks for some time. “I…” he looked at her.

Jerlina nodded with a smile and cupped his cheeks wiping the tears streaming down.

“I can feel him… he’s… our baby, Jeryl…” he said and placed his cheek on her belly. “Come on, son… kick me more…” he leaned with a grin on his face.

Jerlina caressed his hair as she felt her baby kicking some more and Jeremy started to chuckle.

“That’s right! Kick more! You’re my son!” he cheered on as he wiped his tears. 

Watching this giant of a man kneeling in front of her, cooing to the baby saying whatever, and in tears, got Jerlina emotional too. 

These moments… these precious moments that cannot be measured with any measures…These are what she longed for all her life. 

And with Joel… I get to enjoy everything…

—–

Months passed and Jerlina’s belly got bigger and she put on some weight. Her baby who was silent for a long started to kick and roll around a lot during her third trimester. He was so active Jerlina wouldn’t be able to sleep at times. And it would be Jeremy’s voice that calms the baby down and put him to sleep. 

He is going to be a naughty child!

That day, Jerlina was taking care of the Rose plants in the garden. The first anniversary of her baby’s death just passed. A lot has changed this year and she found herself to be able to breathe as she remembered her lost baby by now.

Scarlett was right!

She heard the dogs bark near the fence of Bobby’s house and walked there. Scar should be at her mother’s house by now. Jimmy went to the store and no one else was in the house. The dogs shouldn’t be barking at this time.

What she saw made her heart sink.

“Cia? Where’s mommy?” she grabbed the hand of the twenty-month-old toddler now covered in blood. 

“Kitchen,” Cia said. “Mommy… blood…sleeping…”

“It’s okay, Cia… Mommy will be fine, okay? You stay here and I’ll go get help for mommy, okay?” she bend down to Cia’s level and assured her. Her hands trembled as she reached for her phone. 

Gathering her courage, she stepped inside the house. Scarlett had fainted near the counter and she was bleeding profusely. She called out her name but Scarlett was not responsive and now Jerlina wanted to faint unable to bear the stench of blood. 

No! Be strong, Jerlina!

“Bobby, Scar’s fainted. She’s bleeding. I am going to call an ambulance because I don’t think I can lift her…” 

She expected some answer from Bobby but there was nothing and she ended the call and dialed the emergency number.

How long will it take for the ambulance to get here? Jimmy… get home soon… Or should I call Joel to see where he is? 

She stepped out of the house as she heard the dogs’ bark intensifying. It was there she saw a tanned figure with long hair. 

She almost cried! Finally, someone who can help!

“Charlie!! You’re back!” she ran to him and pulled him inside. “Scarlett is in danger. Come on!  Help!” she dragged him inside.

Charlie who returned from a long journey gathered himself pretty soon. “She’s breathing…” He scooped up Scarlett and got to Scarlett’s truck parked in the garage. 

“Mom is at the clinic, Charlie. Take Scar there. I’ll check once more…” Jerlina sent Charlie out. 

She checked with the clinic and Dr. Kruger was there. She informed them of the arrival of Scarlett and her condition. She called the emergency number to cancel the ambulance service.

Her heart pounded seeing the amount of blood. The blood seemed fresh. Scar has bled a lot in a short time. Cia had slid and fallen in her mother’s blood. The smart child ran out to get help than staying by her mother’s side in vain.

Ah… Cia…

Jerlina went and picked up Cia.