Four kids, two schools, three boroughs and two states all before 9 a.m. was a lot for a not- so-much morning person to handle without a cup of coffee. She’d give her left tit for a Triple Venti Raspberry White Chocolate Mocha, extra foam and heavy on the raspberry right about now, but would have to settle for the herbal concoction Lidia made for her this morning. Up at the butt-crack of dawn, not because she wanted to, but because Ari had had another dream. Though this one was not as bad as the others, it was still enough to jolt her awake.
Luckily, Jon was already up and in the gym, as he had been every morning since they’d been back. She had had one the first night back in New Jersey, too. Bad enough that it had taken a bit for him to wake her from it. He was worried about her, which was understandable, and was why they had made an appointment with Dr. Barnes today.
After dropping the kids off at school, they headed into Manhattan to the BJM offices. Ariana needed a pee break and Jeanie needed to go over some foundation things with Jon. An hour later, they were back in the car heading for their next appointment, but didn’t make it too far. They were sitting in the Holland Tunnel going turtle speed, heading back to Jersey.
“You okay, Crash?” Jon reached for her hand.
“Just tired.”
“You slept last night?” It wasn’t so much a question, but rather a statement.
“Not exactly.”
Jon glanced at her, then turned his attention back to the traffic in front of him. “Did you have any other dreams?”
“A little one.”
“Was it the same?”
“They’re pretty much all the same.” Dropping her head against the headrest, she turned and looked over at him, a weary smile barely stretched her lips. He could see the faint beginnings of dark under her eyes. He brought their joined hands to his lips and placed a whispered kiss on her knuckles.
“Why don’t you close your eyes and try to get some sleep now? It looks like it could take a while. I’ll wake you when we are close.”
“Thanks,” she gave his hand a squeeze. “Mind if we put the radio on?”
Freeing their hands, he pushed the button on the steering wheel to activate the radio. The sound of talk radio filled the car, prompting her to shake her head in disagreement. Jon enjoyed music, but mostly listened to some sort of news or talk radio while driving. Ari, on the other hand, preferred it loud. She said it made her think better. Scanning the channels for something they both enjoy, he stopped at the velvety voice of Sam Cooke singing about cupid’s bow. No yay or nay from her. Jon looked over to find she had already fallen asleep.
Trying not to disturb her, he gently released their hands and pulled his sunglasses down as the car eased out of the tunnel and onto the trafficless roadway. He thought about the questions he had for Dr. Barnes.
♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱ ♱
A small huff escaped her tightly pinched lips as she stepped off the scale and plopped down on the small table. “Don’t you say a word!” she shot daggers in Jon’s direction.
“What?” he raised his shoulders in a shrug. “I said nothing!”
“You don’t have to. I can see what’s going on in that mind of yours and it’s not funny, Jon.”
“Crash, it’s natural. You have a tiny person inside you who’s growing every day. Only natural you put on a pound or two or eight.” He darted to his left and out of reach of her flying fist.
“Well, I’m done. It’s rabbit food for me from now on.”
Jon pulled his phone from his pocket. “So I should call Pop and tell him you won't be having any lasagna tonight?”
“Nooo!” she growled.
“Everything okay in here?” Dr. Barnes peered around the door before coming completely into the room.
“Peachy!” Ariana said.
“Nice to see you again Jon.” Dr. Barnes smiled at him, then she turned to Ariana. “How are you?”
“Fine.”
Dr. Barnes looked over Ariana’s chart. “Let’s see; You’re twenty-five weeks. Marissa’s already drawn your blood and taken urine, and you’ve gained another eight pounds. That’s good.”
“Says you.”
“It is. Did you forget how much you lost in the beginning?”
“I believe I’ve doubled what I lost. No more for me.”
“I don’t want you to stop eating, the baby needs it.”
“There goes my extra lasagna.” Jon teased.
“Lasagna? And you didn’t bring any for me?” Dr. Barnes asked as she help Ariana lay back so she could measure her and listen for the heartbeat. “Otherwise, how are you feeling? Any heartburn? Hemorrhoids?”
“Nope.”
“Good. All common by the way.” Removing the doppler from her pocket, she placed it on Ariana’s stomach. “Sex? Still fun and comfortable?”
“Oh, geez!” Jon mumbled.
Ariana rolled her eyes at him. It was her turn to have a little fun. “Oh, yes!" she said enthusiastically, “We are good in that department.”
“You can continue having sex as long as you’re comfortable and not experiencing any contractions or pain.” Rolling the doppler a little lower, the rapid thumping became clearer. “There she is. Strong. Any name yet?”
“Lily Francis.” Ariana smiled up at her.
“Beautiful. You can sit up now.” Dr. Barnes took a seat on the stool and scribbled some notes on the chart. “We need to discuss your next trimester. I need to see you next at twenty-eight weeks, then every two weeks after that.” She turned to Jon. “What does your schedule look like?”
Jon pulled up his calendar. “April, we are a quick plane ride away, with a few shows here in Jersey in May. Then we're off to London for the month of June and back to the States.”
Tapping the pen against the file, Dr. Barnes took a few moments to process what Jon had just told her.
“So, let me tell you what I am thinking. I rarely allow my patients to fly. Well, starting now. But you are not one of my typical patients. I won’t lie and tell you that having you gone for the entire month of June worries me. Were you planning to go with Jon?”
Ariana took a glance at him first, then started to answer, but Jon cut her off. “I would prefer she be with me. For one, she’s my wife and I want her with me. Then there is the obvious, if she were to go into early labor, I want to be there for her and my child. My other concern is her nightmares.”
“You’ve gotten married?" Congratulations.
“Thank you.” Ariana said, smiling.
“Nightmares, you’re still having them? How often? Are they better or worse?”
“Often enough. Some bad enough I have a hard time waking her.” Once again, Jon spoke before Ari could.
Shooting him a disdained look, Ariana spoke with a harsh tone. “I can answer for myself.”
“Ariana, we talked about this. Why didn’t you call so I could prescribe something for you?” Dr. Barnes made sure she addressed her specifically.
“I won’t take anything.”
Jon shook his head in disgust. They had this conversation one too many times too. She was just being stubborn, and he’d told her just as much. He was afraid she was creating too much extra stress by not taking something.
“Is it safe for her to take something?” he asked.
“NO!” Ari spat at him.
“Ariana, calm down.” She placed a gentle hand on her knee. Addressing Jon now, Dr. Barnes continued, “With anything, there is always a risk and I prefer she not, but if she’s not sleeping and these nightmares are causing her undue stress, I can prescribe something mild.”
“No. There has to be something else.”
“How about talking with someone? And I don’t mean Jon. Friends, family who have had babies. It might help if you talk about what it is you are afraid of. I’m assuming the nightmares are still same.”
“Yes, they are.”
“Do you think talking to someone would help?” Jon asked.
“I do. Even if it’s just with a friend or neutral party. Every pregnancy is different, but women tend to share the same fears. You can even try reading. I’ll suggest some books for you.”
“I’ll try anything but drugs. That’s not an option.”
“Alrighty, then. I’ll get you a list, the name of a doctor you can call.” Ariana sighed. “Just in case.” She squeezed Ariana’s hand. “I’m also going to make a few calls. If you are determined to go to London, I’d like you to have a doctor with you. Is that okay with the both of you?”
“Yes!” they replied in unison.
“Thank you again for everything, Dr. Barnes.”
“Yes. Thank you.” Jon stood and extended his hand out to her. “For everything.”
“You’re welcome. I’ll get you that list. Why don’t you make your next appointment? I’ll bring that list right up to you.”
Ariana slid off the table and straightened the hem of her shirt and followed Dr. Barnes out of the room. Not giving Jon a chance to speak, she made her way down the hall to the reception area. Smiling at the young girl behind the desk, she handed over her paperwork.
They made Ariana’s next appointment and Ari explained she would need to change some information on forms. The woman explained she could go to the website and download the forms and bring them with her the next time or she could fax them to the number at the top of the page. She handed Ariana a business card with the appointment along with the referrals and a few books from Dr. Barnes. They said their goodbyes and left.
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