Cantrell: The Early Years

Baby, Maybe?, a Cantrell: The Early Years,  Chapter four

 

 

Joseph came home from work one evening, strangely dazed, looking as if he carried the weight of the universe on his broad shoulders. “Joey?” Louise said, busily spooning food into an expectant, hungry baby, which she immediately set aside. “Is everything all right?”

“Yeah, I think I’m just getting bogged down at work. I don’t know, it’s a great school, wonderful staff, everything almost takes care of itself, but I’m just, I don’t know. . . I’m starting to feel — a bit burnt out.”

 

“You are working awfully hard. You always do. I should think you wouldn’t have to keep selling yourself. They’ve seen your credentials and your work ethic. I know you. You push yourself harder than is needed. Maybe you should take a bit of time off. Just a day or two to relax and unwind. Play the piano — do something creative. Might do you some good.” Joseph gave her a wan smile. Noticing little Erik sitting in the highchair, he walked over to pick up feeding the little guy, where his wife left off.

 

“So, what would you like to try tonight?” Joseph asked. Erik gazed up at him, expectantly, if not a tad warily. Louise had informed him the child was a good eater, but he didn’t at all like mango

 

“Okay, let’s try something you haven’t had before, shall we?” Glancing at the jar’s label, he said, “I promise it’s not mango. Mama says you just don’t like that at all.”

 

After giving him a spoonful, Joseph couldn’t tell how the baby felt about it. “Well, yes, no, maybe so? Another bite to help you make up your mind?”

 

Joseph paused for a bit in between bites, after seeing the expression on Erik’s little face. Suddenly the boy screwed up his features and let out a howl.

“I’m so sorry, son. I’ll just put this on the list of things you really don’t like. Let’s try some finger food.

 

*~~*~~*~~*~~*

 

While Joseph was busy feeding Erik, Louise answered her phone.  “Oh, Jay, hello. Okay, where? Vector 972 — Oh, that’s on just the other side of the of the Province. Yes, in the Moo Goo Tai Pan Valley, yes, that’s the best pronunciation I can give. Yes, thank you, that sounds fun.”

 

Joseph looked up from one messy Erik. “What sounds like fun?” he said.

“We’ve been invited to a spontaneous dance party on the other side of the Province. I think we should go.”

“I do, too. Might just be what I need to shake this funk of mine.”

“We have evening credits at the Daycare. Let’s go.”

 

After Joseph quickly cleaned up Erik, they grabbed both children and dropped them off at the Daycare. Then it was on to the Bluffs. The dance party was already in full swing. This didn’t stop the couple from jumping in. For the first time all week, Louise saw the carefree smile return to her husband's handsome face. Unfortunately, she also experienced quite a hitch in her side. Close to her due date, she was hopeful.

 

“Joe, I’m sorry to break things up, you seem to be having the time of your life, but I think we need to go home.”

“But we just got here,” he complained.

“Now, Sweetheart. I’ve got this curious hitch in my side . . .”

“Are you saying it’s go-time?”

 

“Maybe. I hope so. I just know we need to go and go now.”

 

The brand new fully loaded Hovercraft that came as a perk with the job, flew them across the vector that made up the Human Compound and named the Province. They swung by, picked up their children and got home again in less than fifteen minutes.

 

Louise excused herself and went into the bedroom, where she expected her labor to fully begin. She would contact her human physician from there. Sadly, the hitch in her side faded away.  She came back out into their small Livingroom.

 

“Braxton Hicks?” Joseph asked.

“Must have been a false alarm. I’m so sorry, Sweetheart. You were having such a nice time, too. Can you ever forgive me?”

“Don’t trouble yourself over it. We’ll just have to do it again.”

She sat down and leaned her head against his shoulder. “I’m so done being pregnant.”

“I know you are. How about if we get the Kiddos to bed and I’ll give you a nice back rub?”

 

“You are the best and I don’t deserve you.” He smiled at that.

“Yes, you do.”