A Life Worth Fighting by Brenda Kennedy

glad to see her eating so well. I down three bottles of water trying to quench my thirst.
    “Robert, we need to talk,” she says while picking at a piece of cheese on her sandwich.
    “Okay, I’m listening.”
    “You can’t come here and sit with me every single day. Do you want me at your boxing practices and fights?”
    “No, but I need to make sure you and the baby are safe.”
    She smiles. “I appreciate that, I really do. But I need you to believe that if something happens, I’ll do the right thing.”
    “I know you will. I just want to keep you both safe.”
    “I know you do, but coming in here and sitting with me every day isn’t the answer.”
    “What if you need me and I’m not here?”
    “Ace, I’ll always need you. But if something happens, I know what to do and I’ll call you right away.”
    “Right away?”
    “Yes, I promise.”
    “I’m still driving you to work and setting up the tables in the morning.” Leah opens her mouth to argue and I say, “It’s not negotiable.”
    “Okay.”
    Leah
    Robert and I stop by the store on the way home. I want to get Bethany something for her recent engagement. Robert hates shopping for this kind of stuff, so I make sure we visit several different stores. I had everything I needed in the first two shops. I just love sweet revenge.
    Later that night Robert showers while I take a bubble bath. When he is done showering, he gets into the bathtub with me. I lean forward and he climbs in behind me. The water sloshes over the sides of the tub, but he doesn’t care. I lean back into him and he kisses my head. “This is nice,” I admit.
    He moans but doesn’t say a word. Robert always showers first before he takes a bath with me. It isn’t very often, but sometimes he’ll get in. He pours some soap on a loofa and rubs it over my arms, breasts, and stomach. I can feel his smile as he touches my belly.
    “Our baby,” he whispers.
    “I know. Can you believe it?” I tilt my head slightly so I can look at him.
    He smiles and says, “It feels like it’s a dream.”
    Before bed, I put together the engagement basket for Bethany and her fiancé, Kyle. I sign the card and tuck it into the basket.
    The next morning we eat breakfast at home together. I’m dressed in a pair of white capris, a light blue blouse, and a pair of white sandals. Robert is wearing a gray t-shirt, running shoes, and gym shorts.
    He drives me to work like he said he would. We walk into the shop and see that Jo is putting her sweets in the glass showcase. Robert rushes over to help her.
    “Thank you, Bobby, but I can get it.”
    “Jo, please wait for me and I’ll put these in here from now on.”
    “I’m going to get used to all this fussing over me,” she says, wiping off her hands on her apron that says, “When in doubt, add cinnamon.”
    “Good morning, Jo. It smells delicious in here. Did you make something different this morning?”
    I walk over to where she and Robert are both standing.
    “I did, I made some mini apple turnovers, apple and cinnamon muffins, and some cranberry tarts.”
    “Oh, Jo. You are too much,” I say, hugging her.
    “You still made cinnamon buns, right?” Roberts asks.
    “I even made extra this morning.”
    “Jo, I think I love you.
    “Me or my buns?” Jo giggles.
    “Both.” I watch as Robert walks into the back room with the empty tray to restock. I decide to follow him and just as I suspected he is sniffing the air above the cinnamon buns.
    “Robert Michael!”
    “I’m having pregnancy cravings that I can’t satisfy,” he jokes.
    We all laugh and I shake my head at him. Jo walks over and congratulates us. “Oh, a baby; this is indeed fantastic news.”
    “Thank you, Jo. But it’s still too soon to announce it.”
    “I know, dear. But I could tell yesterday. And as soon as you are around your mom and Bobby’s mom, they will know, too.”
    “Really, do you think so?”
    “Mark my words, they’ll know within minutes.”
    “Before I