Ex-Husband's Regret



Harper.

I shift on the bed, trying to find a comfortable position. I honestly look like a whale and feel like one too. I am folding laundry because, apparently, that's the only thing I am allowed to do.

Gabriel has been overprotective since he learned that I was pregnant. I can barely do anything without him going into a panic. As much as it was driving me crazy, I also found it kind of sweet.Exclusive content © by Nô(v)el/Dr/ama.Org.

I smile as I think of the time when I was pregnant with Lilly. Liam had been caring. He wasn't as overbearing as Gabriel was, but he cared nonetheless. I mean, he used to run to the store to get my nighttime cravings without any complaint. Only a man that cares does that.

This pregnancy is so different from Lilly in so many ways. For example, with Lilly, I barely suffered any morning sickness. With this one, I got evening sickness too, and it lasted up to half my second trimester. It was honestly horrible being sick all the freaking time.

Then there are the cravings. While with Lilly, I craved sweet things. With this one, though, I lean more towards savory and salty. It's so crazy. I haven't craved anything sweet since I found out I was pregnant. Don't even start with the weird-ass cravings. Just yesterday I wanted a rock. Can you believe that? Who the hell craves a rock? Me apparently.

Each pregnancy has been a journey on its own. They were both different yet similar at the same time. I will always be thankful to Liam for being there for me, but it feels great to have Gabriel with me on this journey.

He has been to every doctor's appointment. He's been there anytime I went shopping for the baby. He painted the baby's room and put together the furniture. He's been there through every milestone. If I am being honest, I think both he and Lilly are more excited about this baby than I am.

Standing up, I grab the folded laundry, ready to take them to our closet. I couldn't wait to take a nap. Those have been my saving grace since I got too heavy to move comfortably.

I had just taken one step when a gush of liquid poured down my legs. I release the clothes in my hand in shock. I don't get it, honestly. This isn't my first pregnancy, so why am I shocked to see my water break? I don't move. I stand there frozen as I watch my water drench the carpet beneath me.

"Gabriel!" I scream once my brain starts functioning.

Damn it. I should have known. I should have fucking known.

"Gabriel," I scream again.

I don't even bother with the fallen clothes. With my big belly, it's impossible to bend and pick things.

The door bangs open, pulling me from my thoughts. Gabriel rushes in, with Lilly right behind him. "What's happening?" they ask in unison.

I waddle to the closet where I'd placed my baby's bag.

"My water just broke," I answer them as I move. "We need to get to the hospital."

"W-what?" comes his shocked response.

I get out of the closet to find Gabriel staring at a wall as if he had lost his mind.

"Get a move on, Gabriel, or we are going to have this baby here in the house."

Clutching the dresser, I groan when the first contraction hits me. Fuck. Like I said, I should have known. I've been feeling contractions since yesterday. I ignored them, thinking they were just Braxton hicks. After all, they weren't that painful, were irregular in frequency, and they went away when I changed positions.

"Gabriel!"

*Stop shouting; I hear you. Fuck! It's too early," he mutters, taking the bag away from me.

*First of all, language, and second, we are only like a week ahead of schedule." I groan while breathing in and out like we were taught in birthing classes.

"What's happening? You two are scaring me," Lilly asks, her eyes shifting from her father to me.