"Don't you go worrying about that for now, you are not going to have the baby as yet, but you will need some bed rest, so tell me how the back is feeling now?"
"It feels so much better, thank you so much, Shawney; that pain was unbearable."
"That is good to hear. I know you are mostly on your feet, and I don't want to tell you what to do. But you should be resting; this could be a warning."
When the knock came, and the door opened, Lasandra moved aside for Dr Brian to do his examination.
Fifteen minutes later, after completing his examination, he took a seat and then held Careen's hand.
"Now, young lady, I am putting you strictly on bed rest. You only have a few weeks, and you need to be off your feet. And avoid any stress, or you will be putting the baby's life at risk."
"Don't worry, Doctor," Shawney said, "I will see that she is completely on bed rest until the baby comes.""
"You, my dear, did an exceptional job with that hot towel; it has helped to relax the muscles and veins.
I see her feet are swollen. Now you have to elevate your feet so the swelling will go down."
"Thank you, doctor, we will see to that immediately," Shawney replies.
When the doctor left the room, Careen said, "Shawney, can you just squeeze my feet for a few minutes, it is paining so much, then we will do as the doctor advised."
Careen observed when she put the towel on the basin, then sat on the bed, placing the pillow on her lap. Shawney elevated the feet on the pillow.
Feeling the immediate relief as her hand gently massaged the heel, then the instep, it felt so good. With my eyes burning as she took my left foot and did the same.
Hearing her say, as my eyes close, "Careen, do you want me to stay with you tonight?"
"I will be alright, Shawney and thanks for everything."
"Careen, if you need me at any time, don't hesitate to call me."
"Thank you so much, Shawney and good night."
Taking two pillows and resting them so her feet were elevated as the doctor recommended, then saying good night and closing the door softly, seeing her eyes close.
Everyone has already gone to their room. I checked on the two children, then went to my room.
While taking a cool bath, Candis's words resurface, realising she has a very dominating and controlling attitude.
Is she insecure and wants to be noticed, saying a word of prayer for her that, whatever the problem is, the Lord will reach down and touch her.
Half drying herself, allowing some of the cold water to remain in her body, then pulled on a house dress and a robe over it and went to Torren's room.
Looking at him as he keeps turning from the right side to the left of the bed, he seems restless, "What is the matter? Can't you sleep?"
"I was waiting for you, but I didn't hear when you opened the door."
"Then my friend, did I come through the wall?"
"I didn't mean that."
"Well, I meant it."
"Shawney, there's no need to get angry."
"Who is angry, Torren?"
Seeing her take off her robe and throw it on a chair, then lie down on the bed next to him, pulling his arm over her as she hugs it. 'She seems to be stressed out.' "Sweetheart, is something bothering you?"
When she snuggled up to me, I could swear she was asleep, but then I heard her snore a few times, and she said, "The doctor said Careen needs total bed rest, and Carl needs to be home with her."
"Don't worry, honey, I will speak with Dad. Now I want you to try to relax."
"Uh, huh," as she kisses my hand, making herself more comfortable. Knowing she cannot fall asleep on his bed just in case someone comes looking for me.
Making myself comfortable just as she did, 'This feels so good, the way her body touches mine.' When she stopped moving, Torren knew she had fallen asleep. She must be really tired, 'I will let her sleep and wake her up in a while,' just hugging her.
***
The first week in June, Torren woke up, and Shawney wasn't in bed. We have already been married for six weeks.
And the secret remains only between the three of us here. But every night we sleep together, except that first night we got married.
Hearing the pounding on his door, Happy and thankful, Shawney wasn't in bed. Torren hurried and opened the door. Candis was standing and waiting. She looked so anxious, wanting to know why she was knocking, "Candis, what seems to be the matter?"
"Torren, I am sorry, but it's Careen; she really needs Shawney, and I am knocking on her door, and she isn't opening."
"Candis, it is Sunday, she must be by the pool or somewhere in the rose garden, go and check."
Torren, checking the time, 'Oh my goodness, Candis, it is only after eight. " I am going back to bed."
In the bed, Torren closes his eyes, once more hoping to catch a few extra hours' rest. As the minutes tick by, sleep fails to come; thinking, 'Where could she be?'