Chapter 2: Quiet on the Home Front-1
464 Words
Chapter 2: Quiet on the Home Front
Leslie heard Caroline’s key in the lock. He closed his eyes, feigning sleep on the sofa, and hoped the kids—Samson and Delilah—wouldn’t give him away. Both shelties perked up their ears when Caroline dropped her shopping bags on the hallway table, but continued to hold fast to the positions they occupied; Samson sprawled across Leslie’s feet and Delilah tucked under his arm, napping on her back and flashing a contented smile.
Caroline came into the room and plopped down in the wingback chair across from him. Leslie heard her loud huffs and puffs and tried his British best to ignore her.
“Who knew it could take so long?” Then, after no response, “Les, I can tell you’re not asleep. You’re avoiding me and I damn well know it.”
Leslie stirred, gave out a muffled yawn, and turned his head in her direction. “I’m not trying to avoid you. I was asleep.”
“Uh-huh. Pull the other one. Since when have you been able to sleep this late in the day, even with a night shift coming up?”
“Well, I was trying.” He shifted on the couch knocking Delilah over and onto the floor. “Oh, honey. So sorry.”
Delilah flashed him a nasty look then shook her furry behind and trotted over to her mistress for a sympathetic pat.
“Yes, I know, dear,” she said. “Your Uncle Les is a very, very mean man, but what can we do?”
“Okay. Now I’m definitely awake. You were saying?”
“I said who knew it could take so long?”
Leslie glanced at his wristwatch. “Forty-five minutes or so since you left the house. I wouldn’t call that long.”
She glared back at him. “Not what I meant.”
“Oh, you were talking about the baby.”
Caroline kicked off her shoes and stretched out as best she could given her newly acquired weight. “It’s all so endless. The whole damn process.”
“Just ask any woman who’s had one.” He paused a moment and shifted his position on the sofa. “The common wisdom is you’ll be just dandy in three months, two weeks, and fourteen days. And guess what? There’s a darling Baby Graham at the end of it.”
“Well, you don’t know everything. Your calculations are off and you’ve just extended my pregnancy by a month. Thanks heaps for that.”
“I did?” He tried to suppress a laugh, but couldn’t quite manage it.”
“You’re a devil, and I’ve a mind to tell Edward what a beast you’ve been while he’s been away.”
“And you’re an angel, I suppose?”
“Oh, shut up, Les. I don’t want to fight.” She hesitated a moment, then said, “I’d pop over and give you a quick peck on the cheek if I didn’t feel like a baby elephant right now.” She rubbed her belly. “I sure as hell hope you’re worth it, Baby Graham.”
“He will be. You’ll see. It’s just this rough patch and then—”
“Rough patch! That’s a laugh. You have no idea.”
“Go take an aspirin or some such.” Leslie pushed Samson gently from his feet and told Caroline he was off to the kitchen to make her a good, strong cuppa.
“Sounds lovely. I take it back. You’re definitely the angel in this little family.”
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