Cursed [Book 1] ✔

Chapter 8.2: Not Driving Stick Anymore

Barring my pregnant state, Rafe and I would have jetted to the honeymoon setting of our choice. As it was, we stayed at a lavish hotel suite on Anna Maria Island for six days. When we worked up the energy to crawl from the bed (and picture a very pregnant lady crawling. Go ahead. Now, come on back), we made love in hidden alcoves on the beach, in random bathrooms, or wherever we could find a medium amount of privacy. Our behavior was unbefitting of two future parents, but it was fitting for our insatiable ache for each other. My pregnancy should have slowed me down, yet...naw.

Honeymoon over, we arrived back to reality, better known as Rafe's apartment. He opened the door, proceeding to embarrass me with tradition. Carrying a woman who was seven months pregnant would have been a miraculous feat for most men, but he handled me as if I were a child. His strength was disproportionate to his size, but I thought little of it. I was still riding the endorphin high of the honeymoon.

"I have a surprise for you," he said.

He kicked open the door of the guest bedroom, revealing a fully decorated nursery. We had yet to learn the sex of the baby, hence he had kept the colors neutral. However, a neutral color scheme hadn't capped the budget. I could tell the crib set, nursing chair, and everything else was designer. He set me down, allowing me to explore the details of the room; baby clothes hanging in the closet, a complete diaper changing station, a little teddy bear in the crib keeping it warm until the baby came.

I wandered about, touching this, eyes bugging out at that. "What? Who did all this?"

He leaned against the door frame. "Your mom, mostly. I helped."

This is not my home, nor is it yours, but hug him all the same. Do not let him see the truth. I did as instructed, a plastic smile set in place. My hug was warm and convincing. I thanked him with my words, and with my body a few minutes later.

Weeks zoomed by like that.

1. Work

2. Pee

3. Back to the apartment

4. Pee

5. Dinner

6. Pee

7. Sex with my husband

8. Pee

9. Sex with my husband

Then the cycle started over again. Life progressed, and I was free of any ghostly embodiments hanging around. Well, I thought I was.

One night, after a particularly satisfying meeting of pelvises, I lay in bed, gaining back the feeling in my legs. Rafe snored gently next to me. A tinkling echo resounded from the nursery, interrupting any subsiding feelings of pleasure.

Investigating required movement, and getting up was the last thing I wanted. When the noise increased in volume, I nudged Rafe in the shoulder. A toy or mobile played music on a continual loop.

"Rafe, wake up." He snored on despite my insistent nudges. "Don't you hear that?"

"Uh, hear what?" He stirred slightly.

"Music from the nursery."

"I don't hear anything." The snoring resumed.

Great. I would have to turn it off myself. I plopped out of bed, feeling like a roly poly. Walking caused every part of me to jiggle, and I instinctively bee-lined for the bathroom. Halfway to my destination, the music swelled. I paused, directing course back to the nursery. I could hear the music clearly as I neared. At the door, I listened to the monetized version of "Hush, Little Baby." I cracked open the door, and the music stopped.