46. Two Weeks
FORTY-SIX
TWO WEEKS
Eve
When I arrive at Rylee’s house, I step out of my car and hoist my camera bag over my shoulder. I’ve read a lot of horror stories about pregnancy, but I think I fared well. I somehow escaped full-blown morning sickness. Heartburn is a bitch. The preeclampsia is the worst of it. I did limit my coffee intake, which wasn’t a terrible sacrifice since I found a caffeine-free herbal ginger tea I enjoy. Fatigue tends to hit me by midafternoon, and then I’m like a toddler who didn’t get a nap. Not to mention the July heat suuucks. Sometimes I find sweat in places I didn’t even know could sweat. I’ve learned air conditioning is my friend, and I will happily pay that electric bill.
Before I’m halfway up the sidewalk to the front door, Rylee greets me.
“What can I help with?”
“If you could grab the two bags in the back seat with the lighting, that would be great.”
“Of course.” Rylee collects the bags, and I follow her into the foyer.
“So we can start in the living room with the antique chaise lounge or the bedroom.”
“Let’s start in the living room and work our way to the bedroom.” I pause, rehashing my words. “That sounds like a bad date, doesn’t it?” We both laugh. This is like learning to ride a bicycle again. It’s been years since I’ve done it by myself, but I should be able to hop on and start riding. I scan the room to determine the best angles and perfect lighting. “With the sun shining in through this window, we could get some dramatic lighting that could look really great.” I point to the large floor-to-ceiling window on the south wall.
“You’re the professional. Also, thank you so much for doing this. I know Trey’s going to love these. Even more because it was you seeing me half naked and not some stranger.” She turns to face me. “Your due date is coming up, isn’t it?”
“Two weeks.”
“It’s getting close. And you’re sure you are up to this?”
“Yes. I need to get out of the house. I’ve done all the nesting I can possibly do. Plus, this is relaxing.” Photography is my happy place. I forgot how much I missed it until now.
“Great! I’ll change, and we can get started.” Rylee disappears down a hallway.
I pull the lights from the bag and set up what I can. I push the chaise to the perfect angle close to the window.
Rylee struts into the living room wearing a black lace corset and garter under a sheer black robe.
She looks sexy and fierce. I have to pick my jaw up off the floor. “You look amazing.”
“Thanks.” Pink tints her cheeks. “I bought it for myself after Kaelyn was born to make myself feel good. My ex-husband was not the nicest. Actually, that’s too generous. He’s an asshole.” She laughs. “Months after Abby’s birth, I still carried some baby weight, and he made sure to point it out.”
“What’s with asshole exes?” We share a laugh.
“Yeah. So, I was determined never to feel like that again. Trey is a much different story. After I bought this set and showed him, he went out and bought me a pink, red, and white one to go with it.”
“That’s amazing.” Lach and I are still exploring our relationship, but I can’t imagine him being like Rylee’s ex. He’s been amazing this entire time. I couldn’t ask for a better not-baby-daddy baby daddy.
“Where do you want me?” Rylee plays with the edge of her sheer robe.
“Let’s start on the chaise. You can lie down and raise your hand over your head.” I demonstrate the pose.
Rylee gets into position, and I snap a few photos. I offer a few more pose suggestions and snap more photos. “Why don’t you part your lips a fraction?” Click . I stroll to the chaise and gently slide a lock of hair over her chest. “Oh, that’s hot. Trey is going to love these.” Click . I move around as best as I can to get different angles. Some close-ups and some wide-view. Hello, bicycle! I’m ready for the Tour de France. A buzz of energy courses through my body. This is exactly what I need to be doing with my life.
“Alright, move back just a little bit.” Rylee rolls her shoulder, leaning away from me. “Lift your arm a little higher. And scoot back a little more.”
Rylee inches back. Suddenly, her arms are flailing in the air, and she hits the floor with a heavy thud.
I lower my camera. “Oh my god. Are you okay?” I slap my hand over my mouth to contain my laughter.
“I’m good.” Rylee giggles while on the floor. “Did you get that? Because that was graceful as fuck.” I double over in laughter, squeezing my thighs together. A wetness pools between my legs. “Oh my god, I think I just peed myself,” I say between giggles.
Rylee sits up and rests her hands on the chase. Her laughter dies. “Are you sure that’s pee?”
Now that I think about it, I’m not entirely sure. My chest tingles. I might vomit or faint. Maybe both. Is this happening? I peer up at Rylee. “I think my water broke.”
She jumps up from the floor and leaps over the chaise. “Okay. We have to get you to the hospital.” She grabs my camera from me and sets it on the couch. With her arm linked with mine, she ushers me toward the door and helps me with my shoes. “We’ll take your car since mine’s in the garage, and you’re parked in front of it.”
I nod along because I don’t know what else to do. Clueless first-time pregnant woman here. I’m happy I’m with Rylee, who’s been through this two times.
She shoves her feet into a pair of slip-ons. “Do you have a bag packed?”
“I do. But it’s at home.”
“Okay. We’ll call Lach on the way to the hospital and have him grab it.” She yanks open the front door.
“Um, Rylee?”
“Yeah?”
“Do you want to change first?”
She glances down at her black corset and garter. “Shit. That would’ve been embarrassing. Yes.” She races across the house and emerges a few seconds later in capri leggings and a T-shirt. The outline of the garter is visible under the black leggings. She holds up a bath towel. “Your seats will thank you later.”
“Are you still wearing the corset underneath that?”
“Yes.”
“I think I like you even more.”
Rylee closes the door behind us and helps me into the passenger seat. I’m having a baby. I’m going to be a mom. Once I’m settled, she jumps in the driver’s seat. Since my phone is connected to the car’s Bluetooth, we use it to call Lach. It rings a few times before he picks up.