Chapter 34
ELOISE
“ R en said to lock the door once we’re inside.
” I shift myself past Katelyn when she moves aside to let me in.
“You have no idea how much I need this.” I slump down on her couch, feeling the size of a whale.
Being this pregnant isn’t fun, my back aches, my ankles are swollen and I need to pee every five damn minutes.
“I’m going to take complete care of you. Here.” She hands me a glass of Prosecco. “Non-alcoholic, of course,” she assures me before I even ask.
“Mine, not so much. I love you and all, but it’s been a long week.” She sips from her glass and takes the chair opposite me.
“So, how did you manage to escape?”
“It’s not like that. Ren's just being cautious, and I can’t blame him.
He has no way of finding out who was in my apartment or what they were looking for,” I remind her, trying not to think too much about it.
I can’t allow any negative thoughts in my head right now.
I could give birth any day, and I need all my focus to be on that.
“So, have you had any contractions yet?” Katelyn points her glass at my protruding stomach as she helps herself to a strawberry. I’d like one myself, but I can’t face the effort of reaching across to get one.
“Do you think I’d be here if I had? I had some of those Braxton Hicks a few weeks ago, which was a little scary. But nothing since.” I tap my tummy and smile.
“I’ll bet Ren had Mary boiling water and Otto fetching towels.” She laughs, picking up the bowl of strawberries and holding them closer so I can help myself.
“These are good for you, I’ll just leave them here.” She balances the bowl on the top of my belly and sits back down.
“So when was your last doctor's appointment?” She takes another sip of her champagne.
“Three days ago.” I take one to my mouth, impressed at how ripe they are.
“And is she ready to come?” I get the impression my best friend is getting excited about this. She’s taken much more of an interest than I thought she would, and I’m wondering if maybe she might be considering the idea of being a mom someday herself.
“Oh, she’s ready, head’s down and in prime position.
I can feel it every time I walk.” I take another strawberry and stroke my stomach when I feel her shifting around inside me.
She’s really running out of space in there, so I hope she decides to come soon.
“Ren’s a nervous wreck; the only reason I’m here now is because his uncle convinced him. ” I laugh.
“Way to go, Uncle Fester.” She smirks, knocking back more of her drink and placing her empty glass on the table.
“Steady, you're my ride to the hospital if this little one wants to vacate,” I remind her.
“You think it could be that soon?” I don’t know if it’s fear or excitement that she looks back at me with.
“Maybe not that soon, but you never know.” I shrug my shoulders. I get so excited when I think about us meeting her, but the idea of labor petrifies me.
“Well, whenever she decides, I’m gonna be right there, ready to meet her.
” Katelyn leans forward and places her hands on my tummy, moving them around to try to feel a kick for herself.
My little girl doesn’t disappoint, pushing out what I think could be a foot and making Katelyn smile.
It’s a smile that quickly fades when she looks up past my shoulder.
“Katelyn, what’s wrong?” I ask, too scared to turn around and look at whatever is behind me.
“Katelyn… We didn’t lock the garage door,” I remind her weakly, and when she shakes her head, looking full of regret, my eyes stretch open when I feel a sharp, painful stab in my neck.
Cool liquid seeps into my bloodstream, and my friend goes blurry as I try to stop my head from flopping, and when I eventually give up and let it fall back over the couch, I see a motorcycle helmet staring over me.