HE DIDNT COME HOME.

He would be home in the mornings, well occasionally. Sometimes he would be home by night now. It was turning out to be an odd pattern now.

It wasn't really the first time he's been out on an all nighter. But it started to prickle her mind like little spiders.

Jack would only come home by the afternoon and occasionally midnight. Most of the time Irene is not even home.

She waited up for him just for today, just for tonight. In hopes the door would clutter open and he would stalk over to their bed and be sound asleep with her.

The gods where against her.

Irene waited for the door to open and to hear the small clatter of keys being placed down. But she couldnt wait any longer. By eleven her eyes would drop and when she couldn't keep her eyes open she had no choice but to sleep. She was kicked out from the tiredness and the constant wait.

Waking up the next morning she couldn't help but grogginess combine to her tired eyes. Shes had so many exhausted mornings shes starting to feel a little lightheaded. But it could've been pregnancy kicking her ass.

Continuing what she has done the previous night, Irene waited for Jack patiently whilst tapping her foot on the wooden floor. But her feet couldn't keep still. She prepared him breakfast just like any wife would. 

But he was still out and about. But she suppose he wouldn't be coming home at this time, after all it was only five forty-three.

His food got cold along with hers. She didnt eat just yet, but after one more slow minute her stomach grumble and echoed the lonely room. With a sigh, she ate her portion of the food in silence.

After finishing her own plate, she stole a new tupperware from one of the cabinets to enclose Jacks breakfast and placed it inside the ref.

He could reheat it later.

Getting ready for her work in Schwabs, Irene finished off her uniform by tying her hair in a bun. It was the day Irene would give her final answer to Oprah. She was slightly nervous. Her answer will not appease Oprahs expectations.

Dragging and making her way down the steps and out the hall she reaches the reception in no time. When she came to close to the small steps she was digging into her bag trying to find her cash for taxi, not paying any mind to the steps.

Irene gasps in surprise as she was about to plummet towards the ground surface. Someone suddenly encircled their hand around her arm just on time and pulled her away from the dirty floor.

"I dont know what's worse, you being a clutz or not paying the amount of attention as to where your heading."

Irene's eyes grew wide as she looked to her husband who clutched her arm tightly as he attempted to steady her posture.

Jack's uniform looking rather messy and his locks where a mess as if he was in so much stress. The last, his eyes lost their glow. But why?

Ideas started to run through her head. But they where quickly discarded away. She didnt want to judge him just because of her theory, "Yeah sorry 'bout that." She waved away fixing her hair in the process, "Where were you last night?"

Jack shifted uncomfortably as memories from his arrest case quickly flashed through his head, but he quickly thought of a general lie to keep Irene at bay, "Ernie told me I need to do errands for him. I'm just doing a quick change."

It was a new lie. He knew he was lying, way to much for his comfort.

Irene opened her mouth but closed it when nothing came out. Jack held his breath and gulped. In the end Irene only sighed and shook her head.

"I really dont know what's going on Jack," She heard Jack inhale sharply as though he was about to choke, "But be honest with me.. what are you really doing?"

The two where blocking the stairs for other people. Some even told Irene Irene move it. Jack took Irene's hand so they could both move to the side. The silence was over fearing the two, "Are you really at work? Or–"

Jack shook his head clearly flustered when he cut her off short, "Look, sweetheart I really need to get a change of clothes," he let go of her arm and jump up the steps hurriedly, "I'll talk to you later."

Her heart sizzles in frustration as she watches Jack leave the hallway.

"I love you more.."

Within the time she catches a cab to Schwabs her heart throbbed horribly. Every aching feeling within her started to hurt more.

But she only pushed it aside and rubbed her rising belly.

'everything is gonna be alright'

Right?

♤

Schwabs wasnt as busy as the other days shes been in the store.

Irene mopped the floor, singing a small tune in the crummy store. Laylani was on the counter snoring loudly. Her arm was frazzled and her face planted on the table, drool coming out.

Donald on the other hand was by the juke box taking a cigarette between his teeth before puffing the smoke.

The rest where sitting on the tables, slouching and waiting for a customers to arrive. Some where even playing cards.

The bell suddenly jiggled signaling an arrival by surprise. All the employees, except Laylani, casted their eyes to the door.

They chirped in greeting but only Irene frowned as the arrival of Oprah Fox.

Oprah ignored the mild greetings but walked straight to Irene. A muddy line was still drawn on her face.

But this time she looked as dull as the last time Irene saw her.

The old woman stopped just a few feet away from Irene with a knowing look, "Your time is up," she snapped her fingers together and it send a small shiver down her spine, "What's your final answer Mrs. Castello?"

Her hands where sweaty and clammy. Irene felt her nerves sky rocket into oblivion. Oprah was not the nicest being in the planet. And Irene definitely didnt want to be apart of her bundle.

Taking a deep breath, Irene spoke confidently, "No." The eavesdropping coworkers gasped dramatically.

An eyebrow was raised on Oprah, a blank look upon her face, "Why so Mrs. Castello?"

"I refuse to take your offer. But thank you fo—"

The bucket of muddy water tipped over and clattered to the floor. Oprah then continued to kick it away, it bounced to the wall harshly and it probably chipped a little of the paint from the harsh impact.

Irene heard Donald order one of their coworkers to clean it up.

"You just dont say no to this deal Irene." Oprah stepped foward. Her eyes glared down to the blonde, "What is wrong with you child?"

"I cant that's why." She snapped. Irene was beyond irritated, even with the morning she had. Oprah stood back as a furrowed frown blew across her face immediately.

"Whys that?"

"I'm pregnant," she answered honestly, "My dream to sing in front of others where past gone. I'm pregnant and I'd rather focus on my child than stress over some dilly dally love songs for you. I'd rather my husband achieve his dreams than I achieving mine," when she held her head up she forcefully stickered a sharp smile to her face, "But thank you for the offer. But if we met a long time ago I wouldve said yes. But that never happened. But thank you for the kind offer."

With that said Irene dragged the mop and took the bucket to the back of Schwabs.

Starting to rinse the mop out of the gunk a knock was heard. Laylani walked in groggily, "That was some killer ass moves Irene." She snorted.

Irene was about to reply but Laylani punched the wall causing her to flinch, "And your stupid to pull it off."

Laylanis teeth grind together in anger, "So what if your pregnant? Or your husband reaching his dream first? You still have a chance."

"I cant do it." She said calmly squeezing the mop to get the excess water out, "Those days are now behind me–"

"Cow shit," she spat, "This is gods timing! You where destined for bigger things Irene. You dont deserve to work in crummy Schwabs!" She exclaimed flailing her arms showcasing Schwabs.

"What do you suggest then? What if I have gigs and my twins arrives? I cant let him or her stay home alone. I dont want a nanny either. I dont want my kids to live without their mom. I want to be in their life, I dont want to disappear and come back late!"

Irene rubbed her eyes as she tried to calm down after her sudden burst.

"Laylani your right, I really want this, " when Laylani open her mouth to reply it was only covered by Irene, "But I cant abandon my children if I ever have to move to one place or another. I dont.. I dont want to abandon my family."

Irene walked past Laylani quickly, dragging the clean mop and bucket with her.

When Irene went over to where the dirty water was she found Oprah sitting on one of the chairs whilst watching on of her coworkers trying to wash off the gunk.

"Oprah, do you need anything?" Irene asked as kindly as she can trying to to let her bubble burst on her too.

But she only shook her head. But she handed her a beige card with her name and phone number on it, "If you ever change your mind please give me a call," she stood up and for once she gave a hard smile, "Good day.. Irene."

Oprah departures, leaving the store behind with a wide doe Irene.

♤

The last straw.

Now her confidence had finally boosted. She wasnt gonna be the lady who stood in the side lines, no, she was gonna be the lady who stood up against her husband.

Irene stayed up till morning. All this fuel has been in her body. She didnt need to sleep, the adrenaline

So she sat on a wooden chair for hours. It was now her day off and they way she spends it is on a wooden chair.

But before she could get up to grab some water she heard the door open quietly and the jingle of keys being placed down.

The footsteps made their way to the bathroom quietly. Little sounds of water can be heard along with splashing. That was when she knew it was Jack.

The water stopped running and Jack made his way to the living area but was startled to see his wife sat on the chair with crossed arms.

"Oh.. hi baby." He sighed in relief. He sat on the arm rest of the couch and started to take off his shows, "Shot till dawn.

Just recently she found out he got a gig. But she didnt know if it was a screen test or an actual acting gig, he never said. She just hope it wasnt another excuse. But she knew this one was.

"Did you get any sleep?"

Irene forced a smile to plaster her face, acting as sweet as possible. She got up from her seat making her way to Jack. She took then off one of his suspenders.

"What are you doing?"

She licked her lips and she got to her knees to unbuckle his belt as she caressed his covered shaft, "Being pregnant has really gotten me hot and bothered."

When Jack started to protest she smelled perform start to form. He smelled like Emerod.

"I can smell her. It's been twice you've been out all night!" She yelled furiously, "What is she rich? Because you reek like Emerod, Jack get out. Just go away!"

"Hang on calm down"

"Jack please!"

"Calm down!"

Irene was about to yell once again. If it wasnt for the sudden pain that blew her abdomen.

She made a strong whimper.

"You alright? What's the matter?"
He held her hand as he caresses hers in worry.

Clutching her stomach in pain, she slid down to the floor, clutching the pain tightly.

"Sweetheart? Sweetheart what is it?"

Irene clenched her fist as the pain piled ever so slowly. Each one hurting more and more.

"It hurts Jack. It hurts."

♤

wow.. thank you for 1k :)