She stood at the sink and cried. She hated what was happening to her. She had been so sure, so solid. And now, even not being able to open a jar of pickles sent her into crying fits. Her back hurt, her sense of balance was off. She couldn’t even bend over without feeling she was going to fall. She felt waves of emotions just crash over her, alternating with nausea. She just wanted it to be over. She wiped her tears as he walked into the kitchen.

She stood still as he came up behind her. Part of her wanted to tell him to go away, to leave her alone. But a bigger part needed him. She leaned back against him, and held his arms as he embraced her. He kissed her neck, their fingers entwined.

“Have I told you how much I love you today?” he whispered in her ear. She looked at his hands, rough from work, and yet she knew how gentle they could be. She looked at their reflection in the window, and the darkness beyond.

“Try,” she replied.

“I can’t. Words don’t carry enough meaning”.

She felt the baby kick.