Discovery at Carly's (fast forward preview - jumping to final chapters)

Note: I have been writing one version of the end of this story arc as way to clarify the ending and what needs to happen to reach that point. My intention is to go back and complete the story by filling in the gaps. In the meantime, I thought you might like to read this to get a preview of where this is all going.

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Staggering out of the car, you slip on your jacket and, purse in hand, start to walk slowly up the drive to Carly's house. She called last night to get you over for lunch, saying "It's just been ages babe, I need to hear all about how you've been. Let me do my bit to get your belly a little bigger." It's true that you've not seen her in about six weeks, and surprisingly, you're really looking forward to sitting down with her and not having studying or classes be on either of your minds. Also true that you're looking forward to some of Carly's awesome cooking, that's definitely been something you've missed. Pregnancy appetite is not a myth, you've discovered, and Gwen ribs you for it mercilessly. Fortunately there is still somehow no evidence of your endless hunger: your petite body remains astonishingly slim other than the watermelon sized belly and hugely bloated boobs. Even your thighs and ass, which have swelled, are still pretty small overall, and have more of the firm flesh of muscle than the squidge of fat.

The weight though of your belly is really getting you down. That's the main thing that is pissing you off, as it's now all but stopped you swimming and it constantly threatens to topple you over as you are now so top-heavy. The **** curve in your spine that the weight in front is creating causes some discomfort also, but you are willing to bet it's not nearly as bad as it should be given what you've been hearing from your girlfriends at prenatal classes.

"Come on Carly," you shout. "It's cold out here!" You rang the doorbell a few minutes ago, and the chill is penetrating your light jacket and scarf. After ringing again, you knock a couple of times for good measure, and find the door swings open easily under the blow.

"That's weird," you think to yourself. Stepping inside cautiously, you half expect to glimpse the redhead's murdered corpse through a doorway or something, but the house is in perfect order and, most importantly, warm.

Placing your scarf and jacket on the kitchen worktop, you notice a handwritten note.

"Hey babe, really sorry but I had to dash out for a little while. Would text but cell is broken. Please stay and make yourself comfortable, I can't wait to see you! I will be back soon, hopefully around 2. There is some food in the fridge. Help yourself to anything. C x"

Sighing to yourself, you make a cup of hot herbal tea and sit down on the huge soft couch with a slab of Carly's vegetarian moussaka in a bowl. Glancing at your phone you see it's 1.15 so Carly won't be all that long. Tucking into the amazing food you absently flick through some magazines on her coffee table and enjoy the warmth of the house.

After washing your things, you return to the couch and sit back. Despite the softness it's not a great position for you, as it is too close to lying down and on your back that it lets gravity pull your burden right down on top of you, so you shuck off your little flat shoes and lie down on your side, head resting on your folded arm and a nice chunky cushion between your thighs. Reaching for the TV remote, you flick on some mindless daytime nonsense and begin to let yourself relax into the cushions.