After pouring over their limited wardrobes, Wendy and Robert finally had clothes that were presentable enough to go out.

Wendy was wearing a stretchy maternity sweat suit. She had planned on continuing her exercise routine while pregnant, but she would develop vertigo if she exerted herself too much, hence the tracksuit fitting more like a second skin than a loose exercising garment. Robert found himself staring at her quite agape. Again his thoughts flew back to the tight athletic body she’d possessed a mere 7 months ago. Now there were rolls on her back, the waistband on her pants dug in a full inch into her soft flesh, and the tight fabric seemed to turn her enormous derriere into a continuously shaking Jell-o mould!

In his distraction, he didn’t realise that she was staring at him as well. He was wearing tack pants that were riding low, since the waistband couldn’t possibly contain his entire gut. She wondered about the marvellous 6 pack he had hiding back there. Just 7 months ago she could run her fingers along it’s ruggedness. His t-shirt left little to the imagination, and she snickered as she realised he was getting man boobs!

Her laugh brought both of them back to reality and they headed out to the car. Robert marvelled at how slow Wendy walked these days. Waddling was of course one of the wonders of pregnancy, not to mention a few extra pounds. He helped her step up into their SUV and they were off to the mall.

They headed to the maternity store first. Actually, neither noticed, but they actually picked up some giant cookies at the shop conveniently right at the entrance. Over the last 7 months both had developed such bad eating habits that neither was aware that they were almost constantly snacking!

“Oh honey,” the sales clerk came over to Wendy immediately. “You look like you’re just about to burst! Let’s see if we can get you something comfortable for your last few days.”

“Um… actually,” Wendy’s gaze dropped. She started to laugh. For some reason she’d expected to see her feet, but of course could only see belly. “Actually,” she was having trouble talking through her laughter. “I… am… only… 7 months along. I… need… some… suits for… w… w… work” she was in complete hysterics as she finished her sentence off.

The sales clerk was a little uncomfortable with Wendy’s reaction, but lead her to the part of the store where the suits were available. Wendy waddled behind her, wiping tears from the corners of her eyes. Robert followed behind the women, casually wondering when they’d be done here so they could hit the food court.

Wendy tried on several suits with very little success. The sales girl brought over one final suit and informed Wendy that it was the largest size they carried. Wendy put it on and came out to model for Robert.

The sales clerk swallowed her tongue. She figured that Wendy would fit the suit for maybe three weeks, four at tops. But she was commissioned, and knew how to get the sales. “It looks good, and you’ll have tonnes of room.”

Robert wasn’t so sure. The suit looked just perfect on her, which meant that if she grew any more (which was pretty damned likely), then they might have to go through the whole process again. On the other hand, if she decided she was too fat for the maternity store, he might have a crisis on his hands right now. He decided pain later was better than pain now. “It looks absolutely fantastic sweet heart!”

Wendy ended up buying two suits and several other articles of clothing appropriate for work. She even wore one of the outfits out of the store so she could get out of the second skin that was supposed to be her tracksuit.

With the first part of their shopping finished, the turned to each other and simultaneously blurted out ‘food court!’. They made their way to the plethora of smells from the variety of fast food vendors. Wendy was well aware that her sense of smell had become incredibly acute with her pregnancy, and all the smells of food were getting her juices flowing. Robert suspected that his sense of smell too had increased with his sympathetic pregnancy. Or perhaps he was just hungry and it all smelled so good.

They found a table and put down Wendy’s new clothes. They both turned, Robert saying ‘Chicken?’ and Wendy saying ‘Pizza?’. Neither was paying close attention, assuming the other had agreed. They wandered off towards the respective food stands.

Both returned, expecting to see the other sitting, waiting for the food. Instead Wendy had brought back a large pizza and two soft drinks, while Robert had obtained a family meal from the chicken place. “I thought I was going to…” they both started at once. They smiled at each other and sat down.

“I figured you were going to be hungry after trying on all those clothes, so I got a family meal. I’m not all that hungry really.” Robert offered.

“That’s funny, I was sure you’d be starving after waiting so long for me. I’m just going to have a couple pieces myself.” Wendy replied.

Both smiled, knowing the other was telling a half truth. Silently, they both wondered if they were lying to each other, or just themselves? Or if they even knew? Before they could untangle these deep philosophical questions, they both realised that there was only one piece of chicken left.

Wendy wasn’t sure which was more surprising, that they’d managed to eat all that food without realising it, or that she was actually still hungry. Lucky for her, Robert offered the last piece. “You are pregnant, need to keep your strength up!”

Normally Robert had his suits tailored, but he really did need something more comfortable than what he was wearing, so they went to buy a couple suits. Tomorrow he’d take the suits he had to be tailored.

Feeling suddenly weary, Wendy excused herself from the store, the salesman promised to come get her once Robert had chose something and needed a woman’s view. She waddled to a bench outside the store and sat down heavily. Her hypersensitive smell was immediately set off by the Cinnabon that was near the store. She tried to spot it, but she couldn’t see it. Finally she remembered it was up on the second floor. She got up and went to the escalator, hoping it would take some time for Robert to get his suit chosen.

Inside the shop, Robert was busy trying on suits. It had been so long since he’d gotten a suit off the rack it was a lot trickier than he’d been hoping. Not to mention, he figured he might gain another few pounds, how do you buy a suit when you’re expecting to gain weight? He was too embarrassed to ask the sales man. He tried on several sizes and styles, hoping that he’d just ‘hit’ on the right combination.

Wendy bought a Cinnabon for herself, thought about it, and ordered one for Robert as well. She went back down to her bench. She ate her Cinnabon a little quicker than she’d hoped. She did enjoy it, and savour every bite. There just weren’t enough! Fortunately, Robert came out just then.

“It looks okay, but, maybe try the jacket with a single breast, and size the pants up one?” her response was automatic. She had an eye for these things, and, well, he looked awful. Only once she’d said it did she realise that meant more waiting around.

“HMarlene, okay, I’ll try that. Oh, go ahead and eat your cinnabon, don’t wait for me hon!”

As Robert turned back into the store Wendy smiled a childish little grin. Another Cinnabon all for her! But the celebration was short lived, as was the Cinnabon. Damn, they need to make bigger ones she thought to herself.

She looked up to see him. To her trained eye, he still looked a little… low brow. But this would probably be the best they could do today, and it would certainly be fine until he could get his real suits tailored. “You look perfect honey!” He smiled and turned back into the store to pay for his new suit.

He came out of the store with a smile and whispered something into her ear. A smile lit up her face.

Only 8 of a dozen Cinnabons survived the trip home.