Behind Closed Doors

Chapter 73: Blessing

I check the dinner in the oven, and make sure everything is cooking fine. I smile and look over at Michael, talking to Hayley and Jake. I pour myself a glass of water and sigh heavily, feeling my stomach. The baby has been so active all day. He or she is not giving up! I arch my back and sigh again. Michael continues talking but catches me rubbing my stomach.

"You ok Layla?" Michael asks.

Hayley and Jake look over at me.

"Yeah, the baby is just moving around a lot today." I let out a soft laugh.

"Sit down Lay, you're working too hard again."

"Well of course I'm working hard. It's Christmas."

"You're due next week. Now sit down and shut up. Michael will finish the cooking." Hayley smirks.

Michael stands up and walks over to me.

"Yeah come on baby." Michael says giving me a kiss.

I shake my head.

"If only we conceived this baby a month earlier or later. Christmas is hard work as it is."

"Either way, it's only gonna get harder." Jake laughs.

"Thanks for the advice." I chuckle and give him a look.

"Speaking of which. Zack is strangely quiet." Hayley says lowering her eyebrows.

"Zaaack?" Hayley calls out.

"Yeah?" He shouts back.

"What are you doing?"

"Watching Elf!!" He shouts back.

"Hmm." Hayley raises an eyebrow.

"I'll go check on him." I laugh and walk out in to the lounge.

I catch him under the Christmas tree looking through the presents, feeling them.

"Zack!" I say walking in, holding my stomach.

He jumps and quickly looks around at me.

"What have we said? Christmas is tomorrow. Leave the presents alone."

He moans and walks over to the sofa, slouching down.

"I just want to open one... Just one pleeeeease?" He begs.

I laugh and sit next to him.

"I'll ask your mom later ok? Just one."

"Yay!"

"Your dinner is almost ready."

"I just want to sleep so Christmas will be here."

I chuckle and he hugs in to me. He sees the baby kicking. He rubs my bump gently and looks up at me.

"Does the baby have presents?" He asks.

I nod and widen my eyes.

"Yeah, the baby has a lot of new things."

"I wanted the baby to be here at Christmas so I could show him my presents."

I laugh.

"What if the baby was a girl?"

"Nope. It's a boy."

I give him a look.

"Well it's not long now, and you can show him, or her all the toys you have."

He smiles and looks back at the TV. A few minutes later Michael walks in to the living room. He's holding a plate of cookies.

"Zack." Michael says looking at him.