Emily was now six months pregnant, and everyone around her had become even more careful, even more watchful, and even more protective.
Her belly had grown visibly rounder now, soft under every dress and impossible to ignore no matter how elegant her clothes were.
Her breasts had increased too, feeling heavier and more sensitive than before, and the frequent bursts of milk were becoming common enough that she kept spare clothes nearby almost all the time. And her body felt fuller in every sense.
She got tired faster, needed more rest, and sometimes felt breathless just walking a little too long. The weight in her lower back had become more constant, her hips ached when she sat in one position for too long, and her emotions were still all over the place.
Some mornings she woke up hungry enough to eat everything in sight, and other times she felt suddenly overwhelmed by the smallest kindness.
Even the lightest touch or sweetest words could make her eyes sting.
