Love Always Wins

52

Wednesday May 27th.

"Jesus." Chloe murmured to herself as she stood in front the mirror in the closet, turning to view her ever expanding figure from the side. "Thirty weeks down, ten to go." Having hung up the last item of clothing she walked back out into their bedroom. Wearing a charcoal grey figure hugging dress she felt good, it was a blessed relief to actually have a few new clothes that fitted her and it was even better that she hadn't had to venture into Zürich to get them. Internet shopping was godsend. She hadn't gone mad and ordered loads, with just under ten weeks left until her due date she didn't see the point in ordering too many new clothes so she'd stuck to what she classed as 'staple' items such as t-shirt dresses, vest tops, maternity skinny jeans, leggings and some new underwear that included slightly less than glamorous nursing bras. Heading out of the bedroom she meandered her way to Seb's home office, as she got close to the door she could hear him talking in his home language. He was on a Skype call to his parents who were still restricted to staying home in Germany but with Switzerland opening it's borders to its neighbours by mid June, she knew it wouldn't be long before he got to see them. He was already planning on having them coming to stay with a view to them possibly staying until after the birth of their son. He was determined that she wouldn't be alone whilst he was away racing and as it was uncertain if Brits could enter the country, having his parents here would give him peace of mind if her mum was unable to travel. At least she'd have someone with her if she went into labour early or late and she tried to take comfort from that thought even though she was petrified that she could end up giving birth without Seb by her side. She stopped at the door for a moment and listened to him chatting away and laughing, it soon became clear that this was something of a family video call as she could hear a few different voices. Poking her head around the door she felt the usual burst of butterflies as she caught sight of him; whatever they were talking about was obviously amusing and he was talking animatedly while smiling broadly, then he looked up from his laptop and his sparkling blue eyes met hers. He gestured for her to come in and she obeyed him, noting how he'd immediately switched to English for her benefit.
"Come, you can say hi to everyone." He pointed to the laptop's screen and then patted his thigh, indicating for her to come and sit on his lap.

"I can't sit on your lap, look at the size of me!" She felt that she'd be too heavy for him.

"Don't be silly, come on." He wheeled the chair back to give her space to sit.

"I'm carrying just over a kilo of baby plus whatever else in weight I've put on." She complained as she stopped in front of him.

"And you look even more beautiful for it, now sit." He patted his thigh again so she did as he asked and sat herself down on his lap. On the screen in front of her was an image of herself and four other faces; Heike and Norbert in a second mini screen and Stefanie and Fabian in two more, all of whom were waving apart from Heike who was blowing her kisses. Feeling a bit camera shy, Chloe waved timidly at the screen; she could feel Seb's hand on her waist (or what was left of her waist as her body expanded to accommodate their growing baby) as he slipped an arm loosely around her and kissed her cheek.

"Hallo Chloe! How are you?" Heike could be seen leaning in closer the camera. "How is our...." She paused for a second, looking thoughtful. "....enkel?"

"Grandson." Seb whispered in her ear to translate for her.

"Hi Heike, I'm good thanks, really good and he's doing really well." She rubbed her belly. "How are you both? Hopefully it won't be long before we get to see you."

"We are well, we are safe and that makes us very happy. To see you makes us more so and this...." She pointed towards the camera, as if she was pointing at Chloe, and then patted her tummy. ".....you look beautiful and so.......gesund." She patted her cheeks. "Glühend."