Sing to me

Do you still love me?

      Ashley was spinning in front of the mirror and looked at her belly carefully. Favorite jeans barely converged at the waist, the breasts got bigger and now did not allow shirts to be buttoned with all buttons. But her cheeks became rosier, and her hair thicker. Anybody would envy such lush hair.       — Wow, how pregnancy changes the body, — she muttered softly under her breath.       Ashley was already in her second month and still did not know how to confess to Tom that she was expecting a child from him. They never talked about children, and if they talked about family, it was always about a big warm house, about the fireplace in the living room and about the two of them, peacefully living their lives in each other's company.       Spinning in front of the mirror, the girl thought about Tom, about their child and what she would wear to work tomorrow so that no one would notice her situation.       At the same time, Tom was returning home on foot, enjoying the silence and coolness of that night. He needed time to think. The brain fogged with alcohol screamed that something was going wrong in their relationship with Ashley. The girl no longer kissed him, avoided hugs, conversations, did not want to go on dates or just have breakfast together. And sex also disappeared from their relationship. Tom saw that Ashley no longer wanted to make love to him, give her touches and melt with pleasure from his. The realization that Ashley's feelings might have faded, that the girl might no longer love him hurt Tom right in the heart, causing the man to tremble with fear because Tom still loved Ashley. He loved wildly, madly and could not lose her.       The night was approaching midnight when Tom found himself in front of the massive door of the apartment, where for several years he lived happily with Ashley. Quietly opening the door and afraid to wake the girl, Tom went into the corridor.       — Hi! — Ashley greeted. She was waiting for him and sat on the sofa with a book in her hands and looked at Tom. — How was the signing of the contract? Did you get the role you wanted?       — Yes, — the man answered as he took off his shoes and walked into the spacious living room.       — Tom! — Ashley exclaimed happily, putting down her book and jumping up from the couch to meet her lover. — I am so glad. Congratulations!       — Thanks, — Tom smiled sadly. — I'm glad too.       The girl went up to her beloved and, in joy, hugged Tom tightly. But before the man had time to rejoice at her warm touch, the girl quickly pulled away.       — Smell of alcohol, — she muttered in embarrassment.       The drunken brain took these hugs too sharply. Tom wanted to cry like a child, wanted to scream and stomp his feet, ask Ashley to hug him and never let him go again.       He wanted her to kiss him again, take his hand, and at night, in a dream, snuggled closer, looking for his warmth.       — Why are you doing this? — Unexpectedly and for himself asked Tom. — Why don't you want to hug me anymore?       — Sorry? — Ashley's eyes widened. — What are you talking about?       — Don't you understand? — He smiled sadly. — You no longer hug me, you don't kiss me, you don't take my hand, you don't want to appear with me in public or go on dates. — Tell me are you ashamed of me? Or do you not love me anymore?       — What? — The girl was dumbfounded.       There was silence in the room. Ashley stared blankly at Tom and didn't know what to say to him. She loved him. Strongly. She saw pain, despair and silent plea in his eyes now. It was vital for him to hear her answer. He needed to know if Ashley had any feelings for him.       — On a scale of 1 to 10, how much do you still love me? — Tom interrupted the agonizing silence.       — Tom, — Ashley's insecure start, — on a scale of 1 to 10, I'm pregnant.       — What did you say? — now it was Tom's turn to look dumbfounded at Ashley.       — I love you.       — You are pregnant?       — Yes. — The girl breathed out, carefully looking into the man's eyes. — It's been two months since. I'm sorry I stopped hugging and kissing and dating you. I just have a terrible toxicosis and every day I don’t know what exactly will turn me inside out today. That's why I avoided your touches.       — Why didn't you tell me before?       — I was afraid. We never talked about children, I don't know if you want them… are they included in your plans, because you are a promising actor, and a child…       But Ashley didn't have time to finish. Tom quickly closed the distance between them and kissed. This short, but so gentle and affectionate kiss told Ashley about all the feelings of Tom and about his attitude towards their unborn child.       — I love you. — Tom said, tearing himself away from the sweet lips of his beloved. — I love you more than life and now you will give me a child. A small copy of yourself. I'm so happy, Ashley. You just have no idea how happy I am right now.       And as if in confirmation of his words, tears appeared in Tom's eyes. Ashley laughed cheerfully.       They will be happy… They will be happy first with three, and then with four. And when their first child turns ten, they will also adopt a dog, which Tom has dreamed of since childhood.