Pretty and Pregnant Again Read online

  Pretty and Pregnant Again

  Madison Johns

  Contents

  Copyright

  Disclaimer

  Blurb

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  About the Author

  Other Books by this Author

  Copyright © 2016 Madison Johns

  Pretty and Pregnant Again Madison Johns

  All rights reserved

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, businesses, places, events and incidents are either the products of the author’s imagination or used in a fictitious manner. Any resemblance to actual persons, living or dead, or actual events is purely coincidental.

  No part of this publication may be reproduced, distributed or transmitted in any form or by any means, including photocopying, recording or other electronic or mechanical methods, without the prior written permission of the publisher, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical reviews and certain other noncommercial uses permitted by copyright law.

  Pretty and Pregnant Again

  Kimberly Steele is adjusting to her life as a mother with her husband Jeremy. After her husband admits he doesn’t want another baby anytime soon, Kimberly begins to get sick in the mornings. While she tries to deny what’s really wrong, she can’t help but wonder what her husband will do if it turns out she is pregnant again.

  Chapter 1

  Kimberly Steele tapped the clipboard she was holding, wrinkling her nose when she glanced over at the sky-high heels she used to wear even while she was pregnant. Now she examined the white sneakers she currently wore with mixed feelings. Even if the heels had still fit, she had changed her thoughts about what was practical.

  “Are you all packed up yet?” Jeremy Preston asked, giving Kimberly a kiss on her pert nose.

  “No, I’m wondering if I should pack the heels. None of them fit anymore.”

  “Good. I’d hate to see you take a tumble with the baby.”

  “Me too, which is why I haven’t run off to the store to buy more.”

  Jeremy smiled. “So, how do you feel about the move? Will you miss the chalet?”

  “Of course, but I won’t miss the stairs so much. A ranch house is much more practical.”

  Jeremy moved back a few steps. “Are you certain you’re feeling okay? I’m somehow shocked to hear you say that.”

  “We were talking about the chalet at the moment, not the shoes.”

  Just then, Kimberly’s miniature Dachshund, Weenie, dashed into the room, nearly doing flips as he yapped up a storm.

  “The baby must be awake,” Kimberly said, crossing into the living room where a bassinet had been set up.

  “Really? I didn’t even hear her cry,” Jeremy said.

  The nearer Kimberly came to baby Abigail, the louder the baby cried. “What is the fuss all about here?” Kimberly asked. “You must be hungry.”

  “How can you be sure?” Jeremy asked.

  “Because it’s been a few hours and she’s two and half months. All they do is eat, sleep, and—”

  “Spare me the details of that last one. I’ve changed enough diapers myself. I don’t see how some parents do it.”

  “What do you mean by that, mister?”

  “Just that having one baby to take care of is enough. Some of my friends have two or three children.”

  Kimberly frowned. “Oh, but wouldn’t you like a child of your own someday? Err, I meant of our own.”

  “This little stinker right here is just as much mine as yours. At least I hope you think that way.”

  “Of course I do. I just hope you’re not too disappointed that this baby isn’t really yours is all. I’d hate for you to wake up one day and decide it’s all too much for you.”

  “Did I leave you when you couldn’t see your toes? Did I leave you when you nearly broke my hand during delivery?”

  “No, you didn’t, but you certainly had a pained expression on your face.” She laughed.

  “Never underestimate the power of a woman in labor. I still can’t believe you opted not to take the epidural.”

  “I can’t either, but I certainly will when we have a baby.”

  Jeremy’s brow furrowed. “Promise me you won’t refer to Abigail as just your baby and not mine. I signed my name on the dotted line, remember? So what you wanted to say was when we have another baby, which I certainly hope will be after Abigail is out of diapers.”

  Kimberly picked up the baby and watched Weenie circling Kimberly’s legs. “Believe me, I have no plans to have any more babies for quite some time.”

  Jeremy picked up Weenie and carried him to the kitchen, where Kimberly fixed up a bottle and sat down in a chair that faced Lake Huron as she fed the baby. “I’ll certainly miss the view.”

  “I know, but it’s not practical.”

  “I’m really getting sick of that word. I’ll admit that I can manage those stairs, but this is no place to raise a baby. I shudder to think what would happen when Abigail gets older and tries to scale those stairs. Why, she could take a fatal fall.”

  “I know, and I’d hate to have that on my conscience,” Jeremy said, as he set Weenie down, watching as the dog scampered over to Kimberly and placed his tiny feet on her leg so that he could gaze up at the baby.

  “I don’t think I imagined that Weenie would take to the baby like this.”

  “He’s watching over her like a mother hen.” Jeremy laughed. “Your parents should be dropping by to help out with the move. I told them not to, but for some reason I think they volunteered so that they’d get more time with the baby.”

  “I can’t believe that these are the same parents I had been so worried to tell that I was pregnant with Abigail.”

  “They certainly recovered. Look, I have to head to the office now, but I’ll be back before five. It’s not like I have a huge caseload unless Mrs. Barry plans to file another frivolous lawsuit.”

  “Be nice, I rather like Mrs. Barry … when she’s sober.”

  “On that note, let me borrow your lips for a moment.”

  Jeremy leaned down and gave Kimberly a lingering kiss, which made her wish for more, but she’d have to wait until later tonight, if the baby was asleep. He then left and she could hear his car zooming off down the road.

  Kimberly grabbed a small cloth and moved the baby to her shoulder, burping her when there was a knock on the door. Weenie yapped up a storm running around in circles as Kimberly answered the door. Her parents Hal and Bethany were standing there with two gift bags and Kimberly motioned them inside.

  “Oh, look, Hal, how precious is that,” Bethany said, motioning to Abigail.

  “She looks like you, Bethany,” Hal exclaimed.

  “Can I take the baby?” Bethany asked.

  “Only if you plan to burp her.”

  “I think I can manage that.”

  Kimberly’s mom took Abigail, declining to take the cloth Kimberly offered. Then Abigail gave a huge burp and spit up on the shoulder of her grandmother’s blouse. “I guess I should have taken that cloth when you offered, Kimberly. I guess it’s been a long time since you were a baby.” Bethany sniffled. “I still can’t believe my baby has a baby of her own.”

  “I understand.” Kimberly eyed the gift bags. “Are those for me?”

  “Hal handed Kimberly the bags. “It’s just something we picked up for the baby. I made sure to buy a bigger size this time.”

  Kimberly pulled out a tiny yellow onesie with the logo for the lotion and perfume line for
which she was the spokesmodel. “Aww, but I’m not sure if I even have the job as spokesmodel for the Pretty and Pregnant line. I’m not pregnant any longer so there’s no need for me to be representing the Pretty and Pregnant line any longer. So consider me jobless.”

  “I think you’re worrying about nothing, but I’m certain you’ll be too busy taking care of Abigail here anyway to work.” Bethany cooed to the baby.

  While Kimberly knew her mother had a valid point, she hadn’t given up her dreams to continue modeling. She had even managed to regain her former shape from before she was pregnant. Now, while many women hated her for it, she was fortunate to be blessed with good genetics. Why, even her mother never had a problem maintaining her slim shape. These days there’s way too much fat or thin shaming. Can’t people understand you can have a genetic makeup that makes it impossible to lose or gain weight? Kimberly ate just as much as most people she knew, yet she somehow never gained more than five pounds unless she was pregnant.

  Her parents sat on the sofa and didn’t appear to be all that interested in helping with any of the packing. “Hey, I thought you were planning to help me. Or did you only come over to see the baby?”

  “Have you spoken to the doctor about that?”

  “About what?”

  “Jealousy could be a sign of the baby blues.”

  “I don’t have postpartum depression, I assure you. I just need some help. Jeremy’s expecting me to get something done.”

  “Where is the hubby, anyway?” Kimberly’s dad asked.

  “At the office.”

  “Well, in that case I should head on over there. I’ve never been to a bloodsucker’s office before. I mean lawyer.”

  Kimberly tapped her sneakered foot. “I might as well get to the packing myself. At least you’re here, mom, to look after the baby while I work.”

  Weenie yapped at Kimberly’s feet and then jumped on the sofa, baring his teeth at Bethany.

  “From the way Weenie is acting, I think he’s afraid that I’m going to harm the baby.”

  “He’s quite protective of the baby, so I’d watch out.” Kimberly laughed.

  Her mom’s brow arched sharply. “Didn’t you say you had things to pack, dear?”

  Kimberly turned on her heels and walked into the dining room, wrapping up the china from the cabinet. She had no idea how they’d ever get packed. Jeremy had so many things that wouldn’t fit in the small house he bought. Why, the living room was half the size of this one. It was only a two bedroom, too. While having another baby wasn’t on her mind as of yet, she wanted to give Jeremy a son or daughter of his own. She felt that while he claimed to be happy with the way things were, deep down he wanted children of his own. He was adopted and he was fortunate to have loving adoptive parents.

  * * *

  Jeremy gazed from his window, enjoying the view of Lake Huron until a car roared into the parking lot and Mrs. Barry stumbled out of the passenger’s side. He wondered who the young woman with her was, since Mrs. Barry had never spoken about having any relatives besides her son, the sitting sheriff. Well, at least she hadn’t tried to press a lawsuit against one.

  Gladys poked her head into his office. “Get ready, here Mrs. Barry comes.”

  He settled behind his desk. “Thanks, Gladys, I saw her pull in.”

  The door was barely left open a crack, but it was enough for Jeremy to hear Mrs. Barry bellow, “No need to show me into Jeremy’s office. I know the way.”

  Mrs. Barry barged in and turned suddenly. “What are you waiting for, Jenny? Come in here with me. I’d appreciate your advice.”

  Advice about what?

  Jenny walked into the office and from the way she was frowning, Jeremy knew she’d rather be somewhere else.

  Mrs. Barry noisily eased her body into one of the chairs, patting the seat of the other, presumably for Jenny.

  “How can I help you today, Mrs. Barry?”

  “I was hoping you could help me get my driver’s license back.”

  Jeremy took out a notebook and clicked open a pen. “So, was it taken from you?”

  “Of course—why else would I be here? I wonder about you sometimes, Mr. Preston.”

  “You could make this go easier if you just tell me why your license was taken and by whom.”

  “Grandmother, just tell him. You have a manicure scheduled in an hour.”

  “I know that, young lady. As I was about to say, Mr. Preston, the jerk at the Secretary of State office claims I wasn’t able to pass the eye exam and yanked it.”

  “What you mean, ‘claims?’ I imagine if you didn’t pass the test, that would be reason enough to pull your license.”

  “Who says I didn’t pass the test?”

  “That lady at the SOS, remember, grandmother?”

  Mrs. Barry gave Jenny a look. “Who are sticking up for—me or those jerks at the SOS?”

  Jenny’s face reddened. “Never mind.”

  “Look, I’m not sticking up for anyone,” Jeremy began. “But it’s apparent that you failed the eye exam. What you need to do now is possibly see an eye doctor. I’m sure you might need corrective lenses, that’s all. Then all you have to do is go in and get your license back.”

  Mrs. Barry frowned. “But then they’ll make me take the written test. I’m not certain if I could pass that. I had a hard enough time taking it the first time.” She sighed. “I just don’t understand all those rules you’re supposed to follow, but nobody does.”

  Jeremy smiled. “I know just what you mean, but unfortunately we have to try to follow them unless we want to wind up with a ticket. While I know the people who work there can be a pain, they have a job to do.”

  Mrs. Barry stood up in a huff. “Well, you were no help at all. I oughta find myself another lawyer.”

  “I never said you had to, Mrs. Barry. But I can’t change the law just because you feel you’re wronged. Things like this happen all the time to senior citizens.”

  “Oh, so now you’re blaming it on that?” She clucked her tongue. “Shame on you, Jeremy. I thought you knew better. Tell that sweet wife of yours I said hello and give that baby a kiss from me.” She moved to the door and called over her shoulder, “This is my granddaughter, Jenny, in case you didn’t figure that out.”

  “Sorry,” is all Jenny muttered, as she followed Mrs. Barry from the office. The front door slammed closed behind her.

  Jeremy sighed as he rested back in his chair. Ordinarily he didn’t mind Mrs. Barry, but today he had his mind on other things like packing for the move. He hoped that Kimberly’s parents would be of some help while he was at work.

  His office door opened and his father in-law Hal lumbered in, taking a seat. “Hello there, Jeremy. I thought I’d stop by and see you since the ladies are too busy back at your place talking about womanly things.”

  “So, no packing then?”

  “Not while I was there, but you really should hire someone to do that for you. My daughter gave birth just 10 weeks ago, you know. She might not be up to her old self yet.”

  “I’ll get more help and I wish I could hire someone to do it for us. But business is slow in Redwater.”

  “Why not pull up stakes and move to a more populated area?”

  “I love Redwater and so does Kimberly.”

  “It’s too bad, you’d make some real money if you moved to Florida,” Hal suggested. “But I love Redwater, too. We still make the trip up to stay at our cabin for a few weeks a year.”

  Jeremy’s phone rang and he picked it up, smiling when Corrine said, “Hello, there. Is that wife of yours home? I have a gift I want to drop off. The line was busy at your house.”

  “Please do, but she’s trying to pack right now. We’re moving soon.”

  “Then it’s a good thing I’ll be stopping by. I’m good at organizing things.”

  They said their goodbyes and Jeremy stood up and stretched. “Come along, Hal. I think it’s time to call it a day.”

  Jeremy and Hal parted w
ays in the parking lot, each of them climbing into their own vehicles, heading up the road. But instead of heading back to the chalet, Hal pulled into the local watering hole. Jeremy reluctantly followed him, although he knew he might be in for some chewing out at home if he stayed away too long, especially when he wasn’t working.

  Hal had a grin when Jeremy joined him in the parking lot. “I think we have time for a drink, don’t we?”

  Jeremy shrugged and followed Hal inside, despite his reservations. Hal headed straight to the bar and told the bartender, “We’d like two beers.”

  “Make mine a Diet Coke,” Jeremy quickly added.

  “A diet pop?” Hal spouted off.

  “Yes, I don’t drink.”

  Hal frowned. “Why do I feel there’s story there?”

  “You have that right, Hal, but it’s not all that interesting. Let me just say that I’ve learned from the mistakes of my youth and that I’m a better man now.”

  Hal nodded, but Jeremy felt that Hal wanted to question him more yet refrained. Jeremy was relieved, since he didn’t want to go into how his adopted parents had raised him in San Diego where he was very much a partier in his teen years. That was before he smacked into a parked car while he was drunk. He did get something good out of it, though. He was inspired to become a lawyer after he got off with only an order to attend Alcoholics Anonymous. While there were people who thought he got off too easy, Jeremy vowed to never drink again, and he had lived up to this promise.

  Hal patted Jeremy on the back. “Would you relax, Jeremy? You’re the tensest man I’ve ever met.”

  “You have that right,” said a man sitting next to Jeremy. “Of course it could be because he has a baby now and should be home packing instead of having his wife do it all.” Clive clucked his tongue.

  Jeremy shook his head as he gazed over at Clive. “And how would you know that we’re moving?”

  “Corrine called and told me.”

  “Oh, I had no idea you were in Redwater, too.”