It felt like Bob's world was rocked to the core and tilted on it's axis at one and the same time. For weeks he became distracted while he attempted to process the massive changes that were about to descend upon his life. One time he was doing research and, he didn't know what happened, but the computer started smoking. Just suddenly the horrid smell of electrical burning brought Bob out of his reverie. He had to pull the desktop apart and put it back together again.
Another morning the gas on the stove got out of control. There were high flames and Bob was lucky no one and nothing got damaged. Poor Bob was even disciplined at work for being unfocused and unsafe. Not a good situation in a commercial kitchen.
Eventually, Bob became reconciled with the fact that he was about to become a father. He could admit to himself now that his marriage to Eliza was not a happy one. She ignored him too much and when she wasn't ignoring him she was usually complaining about some mess he'd made. She went out a lot, possibly drank too often and left him alone. For his part, he was too much a loner, uncomfortable in social situations and possibly a little too comfortable in his own home. He couldn't seem to give Eliza what she needed and she didn't seem to get him anymore.
It was up to them to make sure the baby didn't suffer for their mistakes.
He'd work harder with Eliza and even if he couldn't change their relationship, he'd make sure the baby wanted for nothing. Family was important. He'd had a great one growing up. He kind of wished his mother was here to meet her first grandchild and he would give a lot for an honest talk with his father about now. Bob resolved to honour their memories in his own parenting.
Looking at it this way, which included trying to accept the world as he found it, Bob began to let himself look forward to meeting his kid.
He decided to go have a talk with Eliza right now.
He found Eliza on the bed, fully dressed and fast asleep. Everything about this pregnancy was taking a whole lot out of her. Bob prepared to walk back out as quietly as possible when Eliza stirred.
"Hey Love" Bob said softly "I didn't mean to wake you."
"It's okay" she forgave him "I just wish this was easier. Was there something you needed?" she asked politely, sitting up.
Bob sat beside her "I've been thinking."
They talked for the best part of an hour. Bob shared how he missed his parents, how he wanted to be a good father. Eliza shared her fears, how she knew nothing about children or babies. How she was scared for her career. Bob promised to support her in returning to work when she was able and wanted to. They discussed what they would need to buy to prepare for the baby. They planned a shopping trip together. They even talked baby names.
"I like Finnigan" Eliza said shyly.
"Fin - e -gan?" Bob tried, enunciating the name clearly and slowly "Finn - igg - ann. Little Iggy." Bob chuckled. "I don't know. I'll think about it. We've got time I guess."
For the most part, Eliza's friends were thrilled when she told them she was expecting. Clara in particular was full of unsolicited advice.
Eliza switched to non-alcoholic drinks, went home earlier and stayed in more often.
Bob was as solicitous as he'd promised to be. He simply loved to talk to the baby, which he was sure was going to be a boy. He talked about fishing poles and bicycles and made all sorts of plans. Eliza accepted this behaviour with mild amusement, but gently reminded him
"It might be a girl you know".
"No matter" Bob laughed happily, rubbing Eliza's shoulders lovingly "I'll teach her to fish and those pink tricycles are just the cutest."
As a further sign of the reconciliation between Bob and Eliza; the Pancakes had Clara and her eldest daughter Sofia over for a small dinner party. Bjorn had to cancel at the last minute and Elsa preferred to go spend the evening at a friends.
Bob went all out to impress, making a butternut gnocchi. Clara and Bob managed civil conversation over the meal, especially with Sofia there and the soon-to-be baby Pancakes to chat about.
Clara and Eliza took their talk upstairs after dinner.
Clara tittered "You look amazing honey. I swear I was twice that size with both of mine!"
"I feel ready to pop" Eliza complained.
"It's worth it in the end" Clara commiserated. The baby kicked, making Eliza wince.
"Now listen here you" Clara proclaimed, patting Eliza's swollen belly "You be good to your mother or Aunty Clara will give you what for."
"B-oooh-obb" she moaned "Get up"
"What is it?" Bob asked "Oh. Is it time? What do we do?" Bob was pacing beside the bed and clutching his face as if to hold himself together. In his spate of rapid non-thinking reaction, he had put on the robe he always kept handy.
"Get dressed" Eliza said waspishly, flipping her hand in a gesture that took in Bob's attire "Then get the bag and take me to the hospital"
"Right" Bob said in distracted tones "Dress, bag, hospital. Dress, bag, hospital" he began repeating himself in a kind of mantra "Dress, bag, hospital".
The maternity suite at the hospital seemed almost deserted in the early hours of this morning. Eliza and Bob checked in with the kindly, grey-haired receptionist on duty.
Five hours later, a very uncomfortable Eliza was pacing around in a hospital gown. Bob yawned as he sat in the waiting room, finally overcome by lack of sleep and the early hour. Then he snapped to attention and went to see if Eliza needed anything.
As the sun started to rise on a new day, Eliza was delivered of a healthy baby girl.
The next afternoon, the proud parents took their newborn home.
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