
09/22/2025
Eight months into pregnancy with our first baby, Evan and I made the nursery a cozy place—painting it sage, stenciling clouds, folding onesies, and putting together the crib. This Thursday, Evan appeared nervous. "Mom's not doing great. She said her doctor told her she's slipping into depression because of her loneliness. The doctor STRONGLY recommended she be near loved ones for a while," he told me. Assuming the guest room or weekend visits, I asked for details. He rubbed his neck. "I got her a new bed. We set it up… in the nursery." "Babe, what?" I could only stare. "She’ll stay for a bit. She feels better near us. The baby can sleep in our room for six months. My mom needs us now." I saw my stenciled clouds were there, crib pushed over, and a gleaming QUEEN-SIZED BED in the center, with Lydia on her phone. Evan put a hand on my shoulder. "This is temporary." My voice was soft. "I'm literally about to birth a human. I need this room. I need you." "It's just for a while. You're strong. She's fragile." A kiss on my forehead. I barely slept, the baby kept moving. I decided to be polite to Lydia, thinking she might need company. At 10 p.m., going for my heating pad, I heard Lydia on a call in the nursery, her voice smug: "It was so easy to persuade my son. Pfft. I'm a good actress, you know? Want to know what I'll do NEXT?" ⬇️