Caleb.”
Kissing his mouth gently, I press my body against his, wanting to absorb his pain.
“I love you, Gwenny. Don’t ever,” he pulls back and looks me in the eyes, “forget that. No matter what. Okay?”
I frown, nodding. “What’s gotten into you lately? You seem on edge and you’re always coming out with weird things that you wouldn’t normally say.”
He shrugs. “It’s probably the excitement of becoming a dad. Sorry if I’ve seemed...” Now he’s smiling. “Weird? Is that the right word?”
“You’re always weird. Maybe it’s because for once you’ve actually been acting normal.”
“Cheeky,” he chuckles and forces me to straddle his lap on the high stool. “Let me take you to bed and remind you how weird I am.”
“I don’t think I need reminding, but I’ll gladly play along and pretend I do.”
******
Two weeks go by and I’ve finally told my boss I’m pregnant now that I’m starting to get a bump. I show up for work late due to Caleb being ill. His migraine has him stuck in bed, his face under the covers. I feel bad for him and want to stay at home to look after him, but I can’t. We need all of the money we can get.
My boss, Derrick of Chicago’s, is really understanding thankfully. He even gives me a hug and congratulates me which is nice.
Work is boring and I’m sick of everyone asking me where Caleb is. He’s at home! Obviously. Why is it anyone’s business? If it was me that was off they wouldn’t be panicking, they’d be trying it on with my fiancée. I know this because Sasha comes in with a group of girls every Wednesday. I don’t work Wednesday nights. She tells me about the group of women who constantly surround him, but he brushes them off as much as he can.
You’d think the news of our engagement and the pregnancy would warn them off, but some of them try even harder than they did before. It drives me around the bend.
Fortunately I have complete trust in Caleb so I’m not worried at all. It’s just irritating. It stresses him out too.
When I finally make it home, I climb into the shower and afterwards I snuggle up with my poorly, soon to be husband in bed. He instantly wraps himself around me, bringing my face to his neck.
“Marry me,” he whispers as I place my hands against his feverish skin.
“You’re burning up.” I try and pull away so I can get his medicine.
He doesn’t let me. He just looks in my eyes in the dark; they’re serious, extremely serious. “I want to marry you on Wednesday.”
“What?”
“Please. Just do this for me. I’ve already made the appointment. Two PM on Wednesday. I wanted tomorrow, but tomorrow was taken. We’re going to Gretna Green; it’ll be a road trip.”
“That’s impossible! It takes time. We have things to post and declare. You can’t just get married in two days. What’s wrong with you?” I snap and pull myself free of his arms. “Let me get you something to bring down that fever.”
“You’re not fucking listening!” He exclaims suddenly and sits bolt upright in bed. He winces and presses his hands to his head. “I need you to marry me, please. It’s simple. We can have a party in a couple of months but I want to make you my wife. I already did everything. I already posted everything. I started the day you agreed to marry me. I’m sure I did.”
Damn it. This is crazy. He’s delirious.
“Promise me!” He sounds out of breath.
I nod, not saying the words but sort of meaning them. “Okay.”
He sags back, his body too heavy for his lack of energy right now. I take this chance to rush into the bathroom and wet a lot of towels. When I place them over his skin, he cries out. My panic increases. “What’s wrong? What is it? I think I should call an ambulance.”
“No!” He almost shouts and his hand wraps around my wrist. “I’ll be fine in the morning; it’s just the flu or something.”
“I don’t know, Caleb,” I whisper and place a wet flannel on his forehead.
His eyes come to mine. “Please, Gwenny. No hospitals.”
I sigh and agree. He’s right, it’s probably nothing. I’ll just have to keep a close eye on him.
“I almost forgot,” he whispers and motions me closer. “Bring him here.”
Giggling, I move up the bed and bring my navel up to his face.
“Love you, baby Weston,” he says and I feel his lips