Page 10 of All Our Secrets

Iwant this baby out of me.

The crib was assembled, my hospital bag was ready, and the car seat was installed. The list went on and on… I wanted my body back. Junior played kickball with my bladder every night, and all I did was pee.All the time.

Getting out of bed while pregnant was like having someone holding a boulder over my stomach, then asking me to sit up.Ugh.I was positive my little dude weighed ten pounds.

I stood up and padded across the carpet, making my way to the toilet. Flipping on the light switch, I greeted the bathroom as usual.Ah, fancy seeing you again. Just here five minutes ago.Snickering to myself, I winced as I pulled my jammies down and plopped onto the seat.

“Jesus, son. Can you—Ah!” I held my belly as he moved. Oh my God. Sharp pain shot through my abdomen. Was he stretching out? His head or something felt like it was going to rip right out of me. Every time it happened, it scared the shit out of me.Can a baby tear its way out of a stomach?

I cringed as the morbid flash of blood and intestines flashed through my mind. I really needed to stop watching horror films while pregnant.

After relieving myself, I washed my hands and waddled to the window in our bedroom—the room I’d shared with Theodore. The rain splattered across the glass, and the rustling trees looked foreboding as the lightning flashed across the sky. A summer thunderstorm. The A/C gave me chill bumps. I sat down in the rocking chair with a blanket and watched the water droplets race down the windowpane.

My favorite kind of night. My throat tightened, and I sucked in a deep breath as pain wedged itself inside my chest.

I rubbed my belly. “Please, hurry, Junior.”Mommy needs to hold you.“I got all this love to give you.”

I glanced at the empty bed and let the tears fall.

∞∞∞

I jolted awake at the loud thump downstairs. My heart roared in my ears as I glanced around the darkened room. That same thud echoed through the house, but softer this time. Then again.

Still in the rocking chair, I threw off the blanket before I stood abruptly and rushed straight to the gun safe. I grabbed the pistol from inside, swallowed heavily, and hurried out of the room.

It didn’t sound like it was raining anymore, but with my heartbeat roaring in my ears, I could be wrong. Had a tree fallen and shattered a window? I tiptoed down the steps, cradling my belly protectively with one hand and holding the gun out shakily in the other. The banging grew louder. Surely, a robber wouldn’t be so noisy, right? When it came to my baby’s well-being, I’d shoot. There would be no other option. If someone was inside my house, I’d pull the trigger.

The weapon was heavy in my grip, though. I always thought this gun would be something I kept for protection—never to be used.

My stomach churned when I saw what had made the noise. I stopped at the bottom of the steps and peered out the open door. The doorknob steadily smacked against the wall as the heavy wind blew inside. That explained the sound.

I looked around slowly. But how did the door open?

“Hello?” I called out.

I didn’t know if I was thankful or even more frightened when no one replied. Then I looked down, and my heart dropped.

Oh my God.Someone’s in my house.

Chills spread up my spine, and I backed up. Watery boot prints entered the hallway but stopped after the sixth print.What? Which way did they go? How did the tracks end abruptly?

Sure, I’d defend myself, but it was an entirely different matter if I had no idea who was in my home.Or where.

I dashed up the steps, locked myself in the bedroom, and called Theodore’s parents next door. As soon as I did that, I stared at the phone and frowned.

Silas.

If someone was in my home, I should call an even bigger asshole to take care of him.

The phone rang two times before he answered. “Are you and the baby okay?” His deep voice was harsher when groggy from sleep.

“I think someone’s inside my home,” I rushed out.

There was rustling on his end. “What?”

“My front door is open, and there are footprints—”

“Grab a gun and stay inside your bedroom or bathroom with the door locked. If someone that isn’t me tries to get in, shoot.”

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