eight: unexpected surprises

Rob didn’t know what had woken him at first. He grumbled, mumbling in his sleep, one hand feeling to his side where Marian was supposed to be. Then his eyes flew open, disoriented to see her side of the bed was empty. Blinking through sleep filled eyes, he caught sight of a light under the bathroom door. It didn’t seem out of the ordinary, but something felt a little off to the man as he sat up, slowly easing himself out from under the sheets.

“Marian?” Rob called as the door opened and his wife came into view. He was already halfway from the bed when Marian spoke in a hushed whisper.

“Go back to bed, Rob, it’s fine,” But it didn’t look fine to Rob. There was sweat upon her brow and, even in the dark, he could see a sag in her shoulders, her lips worked into a light frown.

“You’re not fine,” Rob didn’t hesitate as he reached out, a hand stroking her cheek, brushing away a damp strand of red hair. “What’s wrong? You not feeling well?”

Marian was shaking her head– “No, it’s fine Rob, really, just go back to bed okay?”

“You’re not acting like everything is all right,” Rob commented in a stern voice. Marian gave him a withering look, hands pressing against his chest as she pushed herself away from his comforting arms. No, she meant business when she made space, arms folded over her chest.

“If you really want to know,” Marian began slowly with a small sigh, defeated in that moment, “It seems I’m pregnant.” She waited, letting the words sink in before she added, “I need to get it confirmed by Ralph but I’m pretty sure it’s positive. I’m already late and morning sickness has been kicking in and–” She didn’t get a chance to finish her sentence as Rob crossed the minor distance between them, pulling her into a crushing hug.

“Marian! That’s wonderful news!” He was beaming but quickly pulled back a bit, his hold easing up on his wife, “I’m not hurting you, am I?” Marian only laughed before she pulled him closer again.

“I’m not a fragile flower, Rob! Not yet at least,” She smiled into his shoulder, sighing softly. It was a happy moment and any nerves she may have felt earlier vanished into thin air. There was another pressing matter at hand though, something neither wanted to speak of, not if it ruined this moment. So, for the first time in weeks, Marian didn’t harp Rob about his job and Rob quietly resolved that he needed a better job someday soon.