God, the ache that had been building up in your lower stomach for days, announcing itself in subtle waves that only grew more and more. Simon was the first to notice, he always was. The way you lingered in bed longer, curling into blankets or shuffling around, hand on your lower stomach while grimacing.

One morning, you woke up to the faint sound of running water. Simon stood beside the bed, hand softly brushing against your head. “Mornin’,” he murmured. “I have a surprise for you, love.”

He guided you to the bathroom, it smelled of lavender and chamomile, tub filled to the brim with steaming water and bubbles. The little table next to it held your favorite book, cut up strawberries and apples, and a box of your favorite sweets.

“Come on,” he said softly, helping you get out of your clothes and then you slid into the bath, the warm water enveloping you and easing some of the tension.

Simon carefully knelt next to the tub, rolling his sleeves up as he picked up a strawberry and held it to your lips. He fed you one by one, until you were content with the fruit. He then grabbed your book and opened it to the page you left off, drying your hands off before handing it to you; making sure the pages didn’t get wet.

As you relaxed more, sinking into the tub just a bit, his hand softly found its way to your hair. He started to gently work through it with shampoo — massaging your scalp with tenderness as you read your book.

After a while, he grabbed a cup, softly pouring the water into your hair while using his other hand as a makeshift visor — carefully, making sure not to get it into your eyes or on your face.