Author’s POV:

Jessica’s Pregnancy Calendar – Week 35

You’re having ‘warm up’ contractions. These contractions come and go. They’re perfectly normal at this stage of pregnancy because the body is preparing to go into labor. They should last from thirty seconds to two minutes.

Those thirty seconds to two minutes gives Jessica anxiety. When she had her first ‘warm up’ contractions, she was in pain and wondering if she was going into labor early. It was a miracle that Donghae had even picked up the phone at 4AM that night and had assured the couple.

“So what do we do when it happens?” The soon to be parents wondered.

“There’s nothing you can do but to go through them. They shouldn’t be as painful as the first time.” Donghae replied simply. “Just remember to breathe.”

Now that several weeks came and went, Jessica had adjusted to her pregnancy symptoms. Donghae was right. They didn’t hurt as much as the first time. She wondered if it was just her body being sensitive. Jessica felt more secure now that her doctor appointments are every two weeks. She doesn’t have to worry too much.

On the other hand, Kris seemed to be handling the whole situation with a close eye. It was an understatement to say that the man had lost his mind several weeks earlier. He was now fully aware of what was happening to his wife’s body and that caused him to be constantly on edge. Labor could happen anytime. His baby could be coming soon and he needed to be ready.

His paranoia caused him to finish setting up the basic furniture in the baby room within two days. Kris even took it upon himself to place the rest of the bear stickers up in the room for Jessica, who seemed to be more and more fatigued as the weeks go by. The husband was more and more concerned about his wife as the due date inches closer. He was practically coddling Jessica, trying to help her with anything and everything.

After the previous scare, Kris has kept his phone glued to his hand every time he is out of the house. Let’s just say his coworkers aren’t too happy that he’s been checking his phone every two minutes. But hey, you can’t blame a soon to be father who is awaiting labor.

“Are you listening to me?” Jinhee, Kris’ cousin slash assistant glared at him.

Kris mumbled, “Yeah, I am.” His actions begged to differ, as his attention seemed to be on his phone.

“Great, so you heard what I said.” Jinhee shut her binder and tucked it under her arm. “See you in five seconds.” She began to stride her way out the office.

Knowing the man, Jinhee made herself comfortable at her desk and counted down the seconds.

3…

2…

Bingo.

“Where is board meeting held?” Kris poked his head out of his office.

Jinhee only arched an eyebrow at him. “I thought you were listening to me.” She crossed her arms and leaned ever so comfortably back in her chair, a smirk appearing on her lips.

Kris sighed, about to explain himself for the millionth time. “You already know –”

“Two days.” Jinhee laid out her proposition.

The man squinted his eyes. “I’m not going to give you two days off –”

“Ooh~ Four days sounds better now.” Jinhee’s expression brightened up.

“Now that’s pushing it, Jinhee.” Kris was trying to stop her in her tracks.

Jinhee only checked the watch on her wrist. “Gee, you’re giving me two weeks off?? Such a wonderful boss!” she faked a gasp, holding a hand onto her chest.

“No –”

“Oh good gosh, ONE WHOLE MONTH??” Jinhee playfully mocked. “Kris, you’re being just so nice and attentive to your assistant’s needs!”

Kris glared at her, waiting for her to stop. Jinhee only shot him a cocky grin, with no intention of backing down. By no means did Kris want to give her those extended breaks, but he already knew how stubborn his cousin could be. Plus, he had to admit that he wasn’t quite listening – but that’s not the point. He still needed an assistant. Why does this always happen?

“Two weeks.” Kris tried to compromise.

“Three.” Jinhee pushed.

Kris gritted his teeth and shot her a look, to which she only blinked back ever so confidently. “Ugh,” he gave up. “Fine, but only after my paternity leave.”

Jinhee had no problems with the deal and immediately smiled. “Twentieth floor.” She finally gave him the info he needed, as well as the rest of the documents he asked for.

Kris frowned at her once she sat down and started to type on the keyboard, looking as if nothing had happened. Why does he always lose against her? It’s never fair.

“What do you think about this one?” Jessica asked, examining the baby stroller closely. “It looks cute.”

Krystal only shrugged. “I say the baby should get this one!” she held out her arms against a rather small stroller.

Jessica walked over and scrutinized the stroller. “I think it’s too cramped. Doesn’t look comfortable.” She spoke, going over the functions the stroller allows.

“But it comes in pink!” Krystal gasped. “And blue!”

“Soojung, we’re looking for something that’s functional, not just colorful.” Jessica linked arms around the younger one.

While Kris was busy at work, Jessica took it upon herself to shop for a baby stroller. It wasn’t until Krystal called that Jessica decided to bring her along. Ever since her third trimester, Krystal had been checking up on her more and more frequently. The younger Jung wanted to make sure her sister was doing okay and of course, be the first to know when her water broke.

Krystal immediately caught sight of another stroller. “How about this one?”

Jessica became interested and examined the item. “It’s not bad, but I don’t like the handle.” She became uninterested right away.

Krystal’s shoulders sagged. “I came here to buy things with you. Why don’t you like any of the things I pick out?” she wanted desperately to pick at least one thing for the soon-to-arrive baby.

“Soojung, I want a stroller that will serve me and my baby right.” Jessica had done a lot of research of strollers prior to shopping. “I want something that will be comfortable and safe.”

By the end of the shopping spree, the siblings had walked out with large bags filled with baby accessories. From bottles to toddler shoes. Krystal had taken it upon herself for purchasing necessities that Jessica didn’t realize that she needed yet. The younger Jung had a little too much fun and had bought items that would last the baby till it’s a toddler. Jessica couldn’t blame her either. She had to admit that she took a long while before she found the perfect stroller. While Krystal walked out with large bags, Jessica had walked out with a pre-purchased stroller, which will be shipped to her within a week.

“Unnie, how does it feel?” Krystal perked up.

“What do you mean?” Jessica settled into the passenger seat, her feet too sore to even drive.

“Your baby is coming in five more weeks!” Krystal squealed, trying her best to keep her eyes on the road. “Aren’t you the least bit excited?”

Jessica evaluated her thoughts. “I suppose I’m too anxious getting ready for blip to come out to even feel nervous at the moment.” She bit her lip. “Now that you mention it, Kris is more nervous than I am.”

Krystal only grinned at the comment. A snicker couldn’t help but slip out of her lips.

“What?” Jessica gave the younger a questioning look. “What are you laughing at?” her tone playful.

“Nothing~” Krystal’s avoidance only prompted Jessica to keep questioning her. “You guys just sound so cute.” She glanced over at her sister for a quick second. “It’s cute how you guys are so involved with each other.” Krystal heaved a jealous sigh. “I need a boyfriend.”

This time, Jessica snickered. It’s true. She thought. Kris really is involved.

Sprawled throughout the room were boxes of new items. Some opened, which accounted for the abundance of clutter that circled around the room. Among the mess sat Kris and Jessica. The couple sat in the middle of the baby room, trying to figure out how to assemble some items that their parents had gifted them.

“I don’t think that goes there…” Jessica held the assembling manual in her hands. “It says –”

“Got it.” Kris gave a winning smile, showing her that he successfully installed a pump. “Looks pretty neat.” He examined his work triumphantly.

Jessica gave her husband an awkward glare as he tried to place the pump on her. “Can we not?” she swatted his hands away, making Kris frown. “I don’t need it right now.”

“It’s a test run. We’re seeing if it actually works!” Kris tried to persuade her, only to be shot down again by Jessica’s look. “Fine.” He placed the pump aside dejectedly.

“What’s next?” Jessica examined the rest of the stuff in the room before sighing. “Mom sent us so many things. I didn’t even think that we needed half of this stuff.”

Jessica only frowned at the sight of all the packages that needed to be opened and assembled. She realized she was the only one feeling down when she glanced over at her husband. Kris was happily grabbing at the boxes, checking out what each item was.

Kris’s face filled with excitement. “Look! It’s a bathtub!” He raised it up so show her. “It’s kinda cute…” he muttered to himself, unpacking the items to assemble.

A small smile crept onto Jessica’s lips, but not enough to cover the worry present on her face. It didn’t take long for Kris to notice her anxiety. Stopping his work, he dropped the instruction sheet in his hands.

He gently held his wife’s chin. “What’s wrong, baby?” Kris made her look into his eyes.

Jessica nuzzled at his touch. “I’m just worried…maybe even nervous…” her anxious eyes emanating towards him. “Nervous that we aren’t prepared for blip’s arrival…what if we’re not ready? What if we don’t have everything we need? What if we are bad parents?”

Kris cupped her face, trying to coax her from her anxiety. “We’re going to be okay, Jess. Look around you. We have everything we need for blip’s arrival. We’re more than prepared.” He gave her a hopeful smile. “Sure, we’re going to be new at this parenting thing, but it’s a learning experience. We have people who are there to help us with just one phone call away. More importantly, we have each other. We’re going through this together. We’ll be amazing. I’m sure.”

Seeing her husband so sure made her nod. She realized that she was actually nervous about her labor day approaching closer. It only meant blip was coming very soon and she couldn’t help but keep tabs on being prepared. She didn’t want to be a bad mother. She wanted to be organized and ready. Kris was right. They were more than ready. She was thinking too much. The worries of not being prepared for blip had dissipated into the back of her mind…for now.

Jessica rested her head on Kris’s shoulder. “I just want everything to go smoothly…” she whimpered.

Kris kissed the top of her head. “Not everything is going to go smoothly, Jess.” He wrapped his arms around her. “But we’re going to work through it together.”

The wife looked up at him to find support. Jessica finally let out a sigh of relief when she felt the comfort and security her husband provided. She’s going through a wave of emotions and all she wants is reassurance. It dawned on her that they were both nervous of different aspects of blip’s arrival. Kris was more anxious of labor, but she was more anxious of being prepared for blip.

“Come on,” Kris helped her up to her feet. “Let’s go to bed. We can finish this tomorrow.”

Jessica only nodded her head and let Kris lead her back into their bedroom. From there, she got in bed and automatically cuddled herself in Kris’s arms. The two lay quietly in the dark, letting the warmth of each other engulf them.

“I love you.” Kris suddenly spoke up, kissing her cheek.

Jessica reciprocated her smile. “I –”

She was stopped short when she felt something. Blip was moving, as if purposely interrupting Jessica. The couple felt blip move; kicking and moving for a long twenty seconds before stopping. The parents only smiled.

“It seems blip wants to say that she loves you too.” Jessica grinned at her husband.

Kris only shrugged happily. “What can I say? Our baby girl is already attached to her dad.”  

{Author's Note}: Ahem. ^_^