Only three times had he been out of bed, he realized, since the day began.  Once to use the bathroom, a second time, to use the bathroom, and a third time, to use the bathroom yet again.  On the way back he grabbed drinks and cans of ravioli, eating them straight out of the can with a spoon and tossing them in the nearby trash can conveniently installed for him.  At least Anya was sleeping for now.  That gave Kyle some peace through the afternoon as he pulled up the pillows to support himself and sat himself up to better watch television.  

The soap operas couldn't do anymore.  They were getting boring and predictable.  Kyle flipped the channels, looking desperately for something to watch.  Finally he turned it to CNN, and then ESPN, his last two choices.  It was a slow, boring news day, go figure, and Sportscenter wasn't on now anymore, replaced by the new baseball season.  Baseball.  Yuck.  Truly the most boring thing on the planet.  Kyle sighed and turned the television off, then turned to look at the clock.  1:00 PM.  Two more hours.  

"My hair's a mess, and my complexion's shot."  Kyle muttered to himself as he gauged his reflection in the television lens.  His normally wavy, shoulder length brown hair was frizzy, all over the place.  Normally Kyle would have fixed this by now, but these days, he lacked the energy.  Kyle was turning into a beast.  A hideous monster, and while the transformation could be stemmed, it could not be stopped.  Why fight it anymore?  The fight was futile.  

Kyle turned out the bedroom light and shuffled the blankets around him.  Kyle adjusted the lavender tee, the same one he wore to bed last night, draping it tightly across his mid-section.  He touched the dome of his stomach, which protruded proudly from his otherwise small, slender body, now rounding at an ever increasing pace and announcing to all who would heed that he was with child.  

Anya was always a bright spot, Kyle thought, cradling his stomach around the belly button, then shifting his hands around, searching for any response from his daughter.  It was feeling her in there, squirming and carrying on that made him center himself and realize he was truly blessed.  But even she gave him no heed today.  He was looking forward to it, more today than others, and it didn't come.  Kyle sighed heavily, adjusting the pillows once more to allow him to lie down and catch a quick nap.  

Sleep never came.  

Kyle's only form of entertainment came by watching the seconds tick by, one by one, on the bedroom clock mounted above the television.  After an eternity, 3:00 PM arrived, and Kyle began to perk up.  "Anytime now."  He thought aloud.  But the minutes ticked by, and he didn't arrive.  So...Ronnie had come to the same conclusion.  He really was no good anymore.  Ronnie had thought it necessary to leave him, jobless, pregnant, now alone.  It was more than enough to make Kyle well up and cry, a river of tears running from his eyes, wetting his lavender top.  

The call came at 3:10.  

Kyle regained his composure the best he could and sat on the side of the bed to reach for the phone.  He picked it up.  "Hello?"  

-------------------

Ronnie was kicking himself for not thinking of this earlier.  Kyle would have a FIT for not notifying him sooner.  "Hello?"  came the answer.  That wasn't good.  His soft voice was quivering.  He was already worried.  

"Hey honey!  It's me!"  

"Ronnie!"  Kyle yelped, eternally grateful to hear his smooth, suave voice.  "Where are you?"  

"Listen babe.  I'm stuck in traffic.  I'm so sorry I didn't tell you earlier but there was a bad accident in front of me.  Three or four cars involved."  Ronnie explained.  

"Oh no, are you alright?"  

"Yes honey, I'm fine.  Oh hey, traffic's moving again.  I should be back in ten minutes."  

"Hurry up and get home again, okay babe?"  

"I will."  

"Good."  

"Hey sugarplum?"  Ronnie spoke.  

"Yes?"  Kyle inquired.  

"I love you."  

"I love you too."  Kyle could hear the concern in Ronnie's voice before hanging up.  He slammed the phone down and covered his face with his hands, crying even more.  Here he was, such a wreck, that he began doubting Ronnie "AFTER TEN FUCKING MINUTES!"  He screamed, sobbing into his hands.  It took five minutes for him to calm down, which left five minutes for Ronnie's return.  

The five minutes felt like five years.  But on cue, Kyle heard the creaky front door swing open, and thirty seconds later, his tall, solid frame walked through the bedroom, combing his short, black hair back into place.  

"Hey babe."  Kyle turned his head to face him, smiling faintly as he turned the bedroom light on.  

"Hello sweetiepie."  Ronnie replied, leaning down to give Kyle a kiss before anything else.  "Bad day?"  

"Well, I dunno about--"  

"Honey, you're wearing the same clothing that you wore to bed last night, you were in the dark without the television on, and your eyes are watery.  I know today didn't go well for you."  

"Yeah, you're right."  Kyle admitted.  

"Why don't you tell me about it?"  Ronnie suggested, sitting down next to Kyle.  

"Well, it started when I had no energy today, except to get up to use the bathroom.  Then I couldn't find anything to watch, so I decided to turn the TV off and just wait for you to come home.  Then when you didn't arrive right away I got very worried."  Kyle explained.  "I'm just a nervous nelly these days, you know?"  

"Something else is on your mind, hon."  Ronnie replied, wrapping his arm around Kyle, pulling him close.  

"How'd you know?"  Kyle looked up to him, their eyes meeting.  

"I'd like to think that I'd know you pretty well, honey."  Ronnie smiled softly.  "Want to tell me?"  

"I'm no good for you anymore.  I mean, look at me.  This thing's supposed to be a two sided relationship, and I feel like I'm not holding up my end of the bargain.  I'm fat, I'm ugly, and I know I'm not giving you what you need."  

"I don't want to hear you talking like that any more."  Ronnie replied, looking at Kyle sternly.  

"But it's true."  

"It is not."  Ronnie replied, standing up.  "First off, I love you.  You love me.  I'm not worried about whether or not you can 'put out'.  Secondly," Ronnie grabbed Kyle's hand, helping him up and holding him close.  You are pregnant.  This is OUR child.  OUR child.  I would rather be shot dead before I ever think about leaving you."  

"Thirdly,"  Ronnie continued, pulling Kyle's hand to eye level, fidgeting with his ring finger.  "You see this ring I gave you?  I took an oath last year to honor you and cherish you as my wife with all my heart, and that means forever."  

"I'm sorry, Ronnie."  Kyle's tears began welling up once more and he buried his face into Ronnie's chest.  

"Don't be.  Sometimes you can't help but let things get the best to you, and I know you need to get it out.  It's okay, honeybun."  

"Thank you, babe."  Kyle looked up, getting a reassuring smile as Ronnie ran his fingers through his wife's hair.  Ronnie then sat down on the bed, pulling Kyle down in his lap and wrapping his hands around his stomach.   

"Two more months."  Kyle noted, placing his smaller, daintier hand atop of Ronnies as he searched for Anya.  Anya connected with Ronnie's palm just above Kyle's belly button.  The two looked at each other and smiled.    

Ronnie stood up, holding Kyle in his arms.  "You rest and relax, okay?  I'll make supper tonight."  Ronnie spoke in a soothing, comforting tone.  

"Okay."  Kyle replied, smiling and melting in his arms.  

"One more thing, Kyle."  

"Yes?"  

"You're beautiful."  Ronnie whispered in his ear.  

"Really?"  Kyle began to blush.  

"Yes, I can see it in you.  You're looking forward to being a mother.  There's nothing more beautiful than seeing you glow like you are right now."

"Thank you, babe."  Kyle smiled, tilting his head up to meet Ronnie's lips.  

"You're welcome, babykins."  Ronnie replied, setting his wife down in bed before leaving to prepare supper.  

"Beautiful..."  Kyle mumbled to himself, a smile stuck to his face.  Out of all the adjectives that his husband used to describe him, that one made his day.