When Jeanne passed her boss's office, he motioned her inside. "Feeling better?" he asked, sizing her up.
"Yeah," she nodded, though she was very conscious of the slight pressure around her waistband.
"Glad to hear it," he said. "Lots of work for you since yesterday. You're one of our best employees--glad you're all rested." He smiled at her as he sent her on her way, but he couldn't help but think that she looked especially vibrant today. "Must have gotten some good sleep," he thought as she walked away.
Britt shrieked when she saw Jeanne. "JEANNE-Y!" she called. "I was so worried about you! But look, you look just--" She stopped suddenly, uncharacteristically quiet. "You're, like, glowing, Jeanne. You look amazing. Did you go to a spa or something?"
Jeanne shook her head, not wanting to engage Britt in conversation, but also not believing a word she was saying. She felt heavy and bloated, even moreso than she had that morning. Self-consciously, she clasped her hands in front of her, hiding her tight skirt and blouse. Britt didn't miss the motion, her eyes teasing. "You're hiding something, Jeanne. Out with it."
"No, I'm just--I'm fine, I'm normal, everything's good here. Can we go to work now?"
Frowning, Britt retreated to her own cubicle. "I'll find out what it is. I always do."
Jeanne eased herself into her chair, worried she was going to pop the button on her skirt, so tight did it feel, but she managed to ignore it well enough to start working. After a few hours of being lost in her work, she found she really needed to use the restroom, so she stood and hustled, not noticing that she *had,* in fact, popped the button. When she reached the bathroom, her eye was caught by her own reflection and she stood staring at it, flabbergasted.
She looked like she was a few months pregnant. Just barely showing, but--
Jeanne poked her stomach. Surely it was just bloating? Gas from the junk she'd eaten the night before? But no--the mass of her abdomen was taut and firm. Running into a stall, she lifted her shirt and lowered her skirt just enough to expose the entire bulge, then laid her hands on it. A strange feeling pulsed through her and she suddenly felt extremely protective of this little bump, cradling it in her hands.