Let's Play House

Chapter Three

Paul was still seated on the couch when John and Richie entered the room. He had one arm placed on the armrest and the other was lightly caressing his bloated stomach; a look of contentment was clearly visible on his face and his cheeks were delightfully pink. John smiled at Paul and sat himself down beside him, Richie in his lap.

"Hi darlings," Paul said softly, reaching out and stroking Richie's tangled brown hair.

"Hey Paulie," John replied. He gave Richie a little poke, making sure he hadn't suddenly nodded off. The little boy was still awake but his head lolled on John's shoulder, and he seemed to be having some difficulty keeping his eyes open.

"Richie?" John said, bouncing him on his knee. "Please stay awake. Mummy has something important to tell you. A special surprise, like."

"Is it chocolate?" Richie asked sleepily.

"No, not chocolate," said John.

"Loads and loads and loads of chocolate?" Richie persisted.

Paul chuckled and gestured for John to place their little boy in his lap. He held out his arms and pulled Richie close, although Paul's huge stomach meant he had to perch right at the end of his knees. Paul kissed the top of his head and laid chin on top of Richie's fluffy brown hair. Richie made appreciative little purring noises.

"Richie," Paul said, "your daddy and I have a special surprise for you."

"Not chocolate?" Richie said questioningly.

"Nope, not this time," Paul replied, then he added, "We've actually got two surprises."

"We do?" said John. 

This was all news to him. From what he'd been told, the only surprise they had to tell Richie was the fact he was going to have a baby sibling within a few weeks. John peered at Paul's stomach, which was, by this time, swollen over the waistband of his trousers. John considered it for a moment - "two surprises" - and wondered if Paul's second surprise was what he thought it was going to be. He crossed his fingers and prayed it wasn't.

"Yes, we do," Paul said. He delicately fingered his stomach before continuing, "Richie, love, have you noticed that I've been getting..."

Paul paused, trying to think of an appropriate adjective.

"Fat?" Richie suggested tactlessly.

Paul cringed at the mention of this word, but he refused to react. 

"Yeah, I suppose you could say that."

"Your tummy is all jiggly," Richie remarked, poking at it with a stubby finger. "It's like jelly!"

(John stifled a laugh by shoving his fist in his mouth.)

Paul sighed heavily and slumped back on the couch. He glanced down at himself and thought about what Richie had said. It made him feel larger and lumpier than ever. Richie must have sensed that he said something wrong; he looked concerned and gave Paul an anxious smile.

"Sorry if I upset you, Mummy," he said softly.

"That's okay, darling," Paul said. "You're only a little boy. It's natural for you to say things like that." It's my silly fault if I get a little grumpy."

Richie giggled and stared at Paul's bulging belly. He reached out and patted it gingerly, then almost immediately pulled his hand back as if Paul's bump was red hot.

"What's wrong?" Paul asked.

"It... It... It moved!" Richie cried, sounding fearful.

John couldn't hold back his giggles this time. He burst into peals of laughter, doubling up as if he'd been kicked below the belt. He didn't seem to understand how peculiar and frightening this situation was to a little boy Richie's age. He found his son's terror uproariously funny.