Chapter 7 April 5, 2008

Excerpt from the journal of Lex Winden,

Devonny’s been mad at me for over two weeks now, she didn’t even bother cleaning the dishes from last night’s dinner! And I’m sure it’s not those “mood swings” women go through during pregnacy…

Devonny and Lex were eating breakfast, together for once, if not in many days. Lex had holed himself up in the extra unfinished room of the second floor and Devonny hadn’t bothered to ask him what he had been up to. Probably for the better, since he had practically ignored her for the past few weeks either for work or for that project he was working on.

Devonny couldn’t help but feel bitter about the pregnancy. Clearly Lex didn’t want to have a child and she was going through mountains of hell for this. Her weak body required constant vigilence which meant seeing the doctors three times a week, not to mention Lex had not once accompanied her to the doctor’s. She was going through all of this, yet Lex hadn’t even batted an eyelash.

Lex stood up suddenly after finishing lunch, to which Devonny took no heed. She had grown accustomed to his neglectful manner the past few weeks and continued to finish her breakfast.

“Come with me.”

Devonny looked up from her lunch. “Me?”

Lex’s entire posture was rigid as if this mere interaction with his wife was taking him huge restraint not to do something stupid.

“Yes, you.”

Devonny merely went back to her breakfast and finished the last bite. “And exactly where will we be going?”

“Just come with me.” Lex repeated.

Devonny followed him without question as he headed to the second floor. “Perhaps this has something to do with why he was holed up in the spare room for two weeks?” Devonny thought as she followed him up the stairs.

As she followed Lex, she confirmed her previous prediction, it did have something to do with the spare room. They were headed straight for it! Devonny couldn’t help but notice Lex’s fingers fidgeting with his shirt and pants as if he was nervous about something.

“Well, here’s what I wanted to show you.” he said as he opened the door and entered it.

Devonny thought she was dreaming, he not only completed the spare room, he had transformed it into a nursery.

“You,” she began as she took it all in. “You did all this?”

Lex rubbed his head sheepishly before spreading his arms wide.

“Of course. You’re in the third semester aren’t you? The baby will be coming any minute, so I thought it would be good to have a nursery made before the baby got here.”

Devonny was still in disbelief. She looked around the room, there was a crib, a changing table, even little toys for their child to play with. Lex stood there awkwardly as he fidgeted with the changing table sheets.

“If you don’t like it, we could always hire somebody else to redecorate it and sell the items until you find something of your liking.” he said switching to a business-like tone as he took her silence as disapproval.

“I love it very much Lex,” Devonny said giving him a hug. “And thank you, it means a lot.”

“I know you’re mad that I didn’t care much about you for the past two weeks, but this child is… unexpected you know? I was worried financially and room-wise.” Lex muttered as he returned his wife’s embrace.

Devonny smiled at his concern. “And here I thought you didn’t even want the child,” she said playfully.

Lex hesitated at that statement, and Devonny who was lost in the bliss of the nursery, did not notice this.

“I just didn’t believe.. that we were ready. That’s all.” he replied, choosing his words very carefully.

“I’m going to go take a nap, I’m getting a bit tired.” Devonny replied as she gave him a quick peck on the lips.

“Okay,” Lex mumbled a bit distractedly, as Devonny left the room.

Why do I feel so guilty?