Page 54 of I Changed for You
His father put a finger to his mouth. Melijah quickly shut his mouth. I already knew in my heart that I’d know what it was by the end of the night.
Later that night, I wanted to crash, but Melijah had other plans as he rubbed my stomach down with lotion. It was soothing and relaxed me. We were in bed for the night. His grand opening was an immense success. I was so proud of my man. I enjoyed the dinner party his family had for him. Then his father gave him agift card to purchase more supplies for his car wash, which was a very thoughtful gesture.
“Your stomach is hard. Damn, MJ’s balled up tightly.”
I nodded. “He has been that way all day. I tried drinking water and eating a lot of sugar, but he didn’t move.”
Melijah looked concerned. “Is that normal?”
I shrugged. “I’m not sure, but if he continues to be balled up and not be as active as he usually is, I’m going to the hospital to see what’s wrong.”
He stopped rubbing my stomach and stared at me. “Do you need to go to the hospital now?”
Worry gnawed at me as I eyed him with my lips trembling. “No. I don’t want to. What if nothing is wrong? The last time we went to the doctor when he was acting up, there was nothing wrong. What if it’s the same thing?”
Melijah shrugged. “I don’t know, but I’d rather be safe than sorry. It would make me feel better if you went to the hospital. You’re almost at your delivery date.”
“As much as it worries me that he’s not being active, I want to wait it out.”
He still gave me a look of uncertainty. “Man, I don’t know.”
I grasped his hand in mine. “I know, and that scares me too. I’m not ready, Lijah.”
He gathered me in his arms, and I rested my head on his chest. “Nah, we’re not having that. You’re going to do amazing, and I’ll be there with you through it all.”
I smiled through the tears that wanted to fall. “You’ve always been there for me, so that’s not something I have to worry about. Hopefully, I’d be able to go to sleep in peace tonight.”
“If not, then we’re going to the hospital.”
I nodded against him. He kissed the top of my head and held me close. “I love you.”
I smiled. “I love you more.”
Hours later,my eyes fluttered open as saliva pooled in my mouth. My stomach felt really tight, and agony shot through my body. It gripped me so tight that I groaned so loud as tears rushed to my eyes. I couldn’t even say it came out of nowhere since I had been feeling uncomfortable lately.
I reached behind me to tap Melijah awake. If I tried to talk, I would vomit, and I didn’t want to chance it.
“Hmmm,” Melijah mumbled.
I tapped him harder, causing him to shift in the bed.
“Wassup? You good?”
I shook my head, knowing he couldn’t see me in the dark. I groaned again as another pain hit me. A tear rolled down my face. It was so intense that I couldn’t take it.
“Oh hell...” was all he said.
I felt Melijah moving around in the bed before the light turrned on. I closed my eyes from the brightness. He came to my side of the bed and sat on the edge of it.
“Tell me what’s wrong. Are you in pain?”
I nodded and covered my mouth. He jumped up quickly and came back just as fast with the trash can. I leaned over and threw up the food I had eaten the previous day.
“Damn, I knew I should’ve taken you to get checked out.” Melijah’s voice was filled with sleep. He moved the trash can away from me and laid my head on the edge of the bed. I was too weak to do anything else.
“Tell me what’s wrong.” He sat on the edge of the bed, rubbing my back soothingly. It felt good, and it eased some of the pain I felt.
“I think it’s time. The pain is too much to bear right now,” I groaned and laid my head back down on the pillow.
