Love Triangle 10: Hungry

Christmas music filled the air as Peter and Veronica stepped off the subway and entered the department store. "It seems strange to realize this isn't my holiday anymore," Veronica remarked.

Peter laughed. "Welcome to life as a member of a minority religion."

They walked down one of the center aisles, past the glass enclosures holding jewelry and perfume, the red and green streamers hanging from chandeliers. "I guess I just never realized what a big part of my life it was until this year," Veronica admitted.

"I promise, you'll love Hanukkah," Peter replied. "Just think of all those latkes and jelly donuts we'll be eating! And this time next year, we'll have a new little one to celebrate with." He gave her abdomen a soft pat.

"I can't wait!"

"Do you want a boy or a girl?"

Veronica considered. "A boy might be nice. I remember how cute Spencer was when he was a baby. Which would you prefer?"

"It doesn't really matter to me. Either would be fine."

"Do you think a boy would make your mother happy?"

Unable to respond, Peter gave her hand a squeeze as he swallowed a lump in his throat. They walked up the ramp to the mezzanine, where they looked through the assortment of holiday cards.

"Why don't you go on up to the sixth floor," Peter suggested. "I want to look for your present here."

"I was gonna look for yours here too!" They both laughed. "We'll take turns," Veronica agreed, heading for the elevator.

When she got off on the sixth floor, she headed for the maternity section and stood looking through the dresses. Although she was only about halfway through her pregnancy, she felt huge. She didn't even want to think about how much larger she'd get before giving birth. Dr. Abrams had already scolded her because she'd gained a couple of pounds too much at her last checkup. She'd responded by eating much less than before and, as a result, she constantly felt famished.

"I'd love to see you in the burgundy dotted Swiss," said a voice behind her, and she turned to see Peter's smiling face. He selected the dress from the rack and handed it to her. "Here, go try it on."

She did, and it fit perfectly. The design of the skirt left plenty of room for her burgeoning abdomen. She stepped out of the dressing room to model it for Peter, and he smiled and gave an approving nod.

"I love it!" he told her.

"So do I!"

"I'll buy it for you, then. Would you like to go back to the first floor while I'm in line?"

"OK, and then we might as well look around on the fourth floor, since we're here anyway."

"Great idea! I'll head over there after I pay for the dress. You can meet me after you're finished."

On the first floor, Veronica quickly found a wristwatch she thought Peter would like, and on the fourth floor, she saw her husband looking at cribs.

"I like this one." He nodded toward the one he was standing beside. "What do you think?"

Veronica ran a hand over the burnished wood. "It's lovely!"

"Let's get it, then." After making arrangements for the crib to be delivered, they took their packages and boarded the subway to go home. Veronica was tired and rested her head on Peter's shoulder. She was almost completely asleep by the time they reached their stop. Peter had to shake her awake.

"We're home," he chuckled.

When they entered their apartment, Veronica changed into her pajamas and went to bed right away. Peter sat up reading for about half an hour or so, then joined her.

Veronica awakened several hours later with a gnawing hunger. The harder she tried to suppress it, the more intense it became, until finally she felt she'd go crazy if she didn't eat something right away.

Trying her best not to disturb Peter, she slipped from the bed and padded to the kitchen. She knew there was roast beef left over from dinner, and she could almost taste it as she crept toward the refrigerator with determination.

She pulled the door open, reached for the plate of roast beef, and removed it. Too hungry for niceties, she placed it on the kitchen counter and tore into it with her bare hands.

Caught up in the bliss of fulfillment, she wasn't aware of anything else until suddenly the light was switched on and she heard the sound of Peter's laughter.

"I'm sorry," she mumbled, returning the roast beef to the refrigerator.

"That's all right. Considering how little you had for dinner, I knew you'd be hungry again soon."

"My next doctor's appointment is coming up soon, and I can't afford to gain very much."

"You can't starve yourself, either." He put his arm around her and led her back to the bedroom. "I've been worried about you, Ronnie. You eat hardly enough for a bird."

"I just don't want to have complications when it's time for the baby to be born."

"Everything will be fine, sweetheart, but you need to build up your strength."

"I know." She smiled. "Thanks. Now I feel a little less guilty."

"You shouldn't feel guilty at all. You're a healthy expectant mother, and you need to do everything you can to stay that way. Come on back to bed, now. You need your rest, too."

They returned to bed, and she snuggled into his arms and was asleep again within seconds.