When Constellations Form (Light in the Dark 4)

“Love you.” She blows a kiss as we start to back out.

I watch Cooper come up and wrap his hand around her waist. She smiles and leans her head on his shoulder. He presses his lips to the top of her head and her smile grows.

I look over at Xander beside me.

I want that to be us one day, watching our child.

And that thought doesn’t even make me want to throw up, so I really should get a sticker or a lollipop for being such a grown up about this whole thing.

For the moment, at least.

Thea

14 Weeks Pregnant

Baby is the size of a nectarine

I’ve officially reached the point where none of my clothes fit.

I know I’m lucky that it’s taken nearly four months to reach that point, but I still find it to be a major fucking inconvenience.

I huff and groan, and make all kinds of noises as I try to button my jean shorts.

I flop on the bed, sucking in my gut.

“Come on, come on, I can do this,” I chant.

“Hey, Thea,” Xander calls out, padding into the room and completely oblivious to my struggle to get my pants on. “According to this app, the baby is a size of a nectarine this week. It also says that at this point all the internal organs are formed and will continue to grow as the baby gets bigger. How cool is that?” He finally looks away from his phone and notices me red-faced on the bed. “What are you doing?” he asks, tilting his head to study me.

“What does it look like?” I snap. “I’m trying to put my shorts on and they don’t fit.”

“Don’t you have others to wear?”

I sit up and look to the pile of discarded clothes on the floor. “These were my last hope.”

“Well, shit.”

I raise a brow.

“I’ll put a quarter in the swear jar,” he promises. “Do you have anything you can wear?”

“I probably have a loose dress that’ll work, but I wanted to wear shorts—and they’re all too small now.” I pout. “I’m only going to get bigger. I need to go get some new clothes.” I gulp. “Maternity clothes,” I hiss, like it’s something dirty.

He shakes his head. “Well, you go shopping. I have to go to practice.”

“Right, I love you.”

He closes the few feet between us and kisses me. “I love you too, I’ll see you later for your doctor appointment. I’ll let Prue out before I leave.”

“You don’t have to go,” I call after him, because I want him to know it’s okay with me and I understand he has other obligations.

“Not a chance, sweetheart,” he yells back and I shake my head.

I hear him whistle for Prue and her collar jingle.

I hop up from the bed and shed myself of the constricting shorts, breathing out in relief once they’re off. My waist is thanking me for the sudden return of blood flow.

I scour my closet and finally find a loose pale pink cotton dress. I slip on a pair of silver ballet flats.