Based off a tumblr prompt from an anon, loosely at least. Just a drab of Japril for ya~

She didn't know what was off, but the longer she stood in front of the mirror the more uncomfortable she got. Looking at her eighth-month, ready-to-pop frame made her uncomfortable. She could visibly see the fluid buildup in her ankles and everything else about her looked a little cushier as well. It didn't help any when she caught her husband staring at her from the entryway of their room and it made her want to hide.

"Go away." She grumbled at her husband, pulling the white tribal print dress down as far as she could, trying to hide her bump but it wasn't going anywhere.

He did the opposite and moved in on his wife, pulling her tightly into his arms. "What's wrong?"

By this time he was plenty used to her mood swings and just tried to help her through them. He was patient. Especially when he knew they were coming. He'd noticed her working towards a good one for most of the day.

She tried to wiggle away but when he pulled her in closer she quickly gave up and glanced down at her feet, or at least she tried to. Her lip was tucked in between her teeth and she let it go to whisper "I just don't want to go to the baby shower."

He frowned. This was news to him. She seemed excited for the shower. All of the ladies they worked with had actually taken the time to throw her a baby shower, unlike the bizarre bridal shower he remembered crashing nearly a year ago.

"How come?" He asked her, wiping her cheeks free of the tears that had betrayed her.

It killed him when she got like this.

"I just don't feel attractive Jackson. I'm huge. My hands and fingers are so swollen that I can't even get my wedding ring back on. I'm sweating all the time, I swear you keep it like a thousand degrees in here. I can't see my feet, not that I'd want to when they're the size of watermelons anyway. I wanted to wear my white Keds with this dress but I can't tie them."

He tried not to laugh. "April, April… hey…" wrapping his arms around her, rubbing his hands in soothing circles around the large bump in the belly that was making her so uncomfortable. He didn't even know where to start this time.

"You're crazy." He teased in her ear, gently rubbing his scratchy face against her cheek the way he knew sent shivers down her spine.

Eventually, after a few sniffles, she played along.

"I am?"

Jackson nodded. "You are."

"Why?" She asked him curiously while sniffling away the last of her tears.

"You're gorgeous, more gorgeous than you've ever been to me. I don't care if you're wearing your wedding ring right now or not, I think it's clear that I've marked my territory," He teased, glancing down at the way she was about to pop. His baby was in there and if anyone came near that they'd be finished.

"Funny." She sighed, shaking her head. He cut her off though. "Your ankles are still adorable. Did you know I've always had a thing for your ankles? And your feet?"

April wrinkled her nose. "My feet? I didn't know you had a feet fetish, you weirdo."

He had to roll his eyes at that one. "I haven't always. And I wouldn't exactly call it a fetish. But your feet are perfect. They're small and soft and you always have those different colors painted on and you're just the first person who I've ever voluntarily given a foot massage to and that should tell you something."

She began to smile. He was at least helping a little bit. And he did almost always offer foot massages for her.

"And if you're hot in here, we'll turn the air on. It doesn't matter that it's only 60 degrees right now. You can have whatever you want, ok?" He asked her, taking ahold of her hand and using it to spin her around to face in his direction. She was getting happier. He knew it.

He bent down onto one knee and tied one of her clean, white shoes and then the other.

"Oh, and babe?

April was happy at this point. Her meltdown was over. She looked at him expectantly, waiting to see what else he had to say.

"Can you promise me something?" He asked, looking her right in the eyes. She did the same and had to make a conscious effort not to get lost in them so she forced herself to nod her head in agreement.

"Don't ever feel like you have to hide the fact that you're growing our baby. You're a soldier."

The end.