Or, maybe that was just my mind trying to build up my connection with her considering my spawn was inside of her.
Ugh, I didn’t like that word. But I also didn’t like referring to it as a baby either, because it wasn’t quite that either. I guess I could just call it a fetus, but that was so detached, clinical even. I guessed I was just gonna go with Bean like Nicole did.
“Take your shoes off and make yourself comfortable. I’ve got some snacks in the mini-fridge if you want them.”
“Thanks,” she said, sighing gratefully as she bent over.
I headed to the small kitchenette myself, intend on grabbing one of the sparkling waters from the fridge, but I didn’t quite get there before I was distracted by a couple of grunts from behind me. Looking back, I saw her struggling with one of her still-sensible heels.
“You okay?” I asked, giving her a sort of curious look.
She continued to struggle for a few minutes before looking to me, slightly red-faced and with a slight sheen of sweat on her brow.
“I’ve got pregnancy feet,” she groaned.
“You have what now?”
She gave me her own look. “Do you really not know?”
I shrugged. “I never thought I would have kids, so I guess my mind’s never bothered to keep any information on that process.”
“Huh. Alright then, I guess I’ll buy that.” She struggled once more before sighing and flinging herself onto the thick, luxurious couch of the sitting area. “My feet and ankles are swollen from all that water retention that comes along with the second and third trimester. And they’ve swollen up so much today that I can’t get my shoes off.”
“That sounds uncomfortable.”
“Bingo.”
I continued my trek to the kitchen, grabbing two bottles of water, then crossed back to her. “Maybe I can help with that.” I handed her the bottle of water and considered her for a moment.
“What?” She asked, raising her eyebrow.
“One moment,” I answered, placing my drink back onto the table and heading to the bathroom. Sure enough, there was a sizable bottle of complementary lotion on the sink and I grabbed it before returning to the couch.
“Move your feet,” I said, pointing to where I wanted to sit. She did so, and once I was settled, I patted my lap again.
“Are you sure?” She was looking at me with wide, uncertain eyes. “They’ve been in there all day. There’s no way they’re going to smell or feel sexy.”
I chuckled at that. “Not everything has to be sexy all the time. If the mother of my child has swollen feet, I’m going to help her out as best I can.”
“…if you’re sure.”
“I am.”
She set her feet in my lap and I went to work on the right shoe. She wasn’t kidding that it was pretty stuck. I had to grip it firmly and wiggle it back and forth until finally it gave up its hold and her puffy, slightly red foot was free.
The sigh of relief she let out was almost comical. I would forever be grateful that I was never born a woman, because I didn’t think I could keep up with all the torturous, annoying things they had to put themselves through not to be shunned by society. Sure, being a man came with its own hang ups, but at least none of them involved me putting cosmetics near my eyes or searing hot irons near my hair to be considered professional.
Setting her shoe on the ground, I moved on to her left foot and gave it the same treatment. Once the things were off, I could see that they were worn well below the footpad inside, and there was even duct tape in a couple of places. I knew better than to comment on that to Nicole, but I resolved that I was going to get her a nice, comfortable pair of professional flats before her next work week started. I didn’t care if she sat at her desk most of the time, if there was a bit of pain I could help her avoid, I was going to do so.
Huh… I was getting wrapped up in this awfully fast. It hadn’t even been twenty-four hours yet, so I knew I needed to slow my roles. And yet, I couldn’t. Between my responsible side and my take charge side, my mind was already trying to formulate the best path moving forward. While I did indeed like to party, business always came first, and I couldn’t imagine any business more important than the life of my child.
Now that both of her feet were bare, I uncapped the lotion and squeezed a generous portion into my hands. I rubbed them together for a few moments, letting it warm, before gently taking one of her feet and letting my fingers glide across it.