A hundred heartbeats (8th month)

Allie paused at the edge of the mother-in-law suite, her breath already coming in heavy, labored gasps. It was her daily ritual, the trek from the backyard to the front yard to pick up her meal delivery—a journey that had grown more daunting with each passing week. But at eight months pregnant, it was no longer just challenging; it was nearly impossible.

Her belly had grown into something beyond comprehension, a monumental weight that not only hung off the front of the wheelbarrow but now towered over her as well. It was so large and so tall that she couldn’t see past it without stopping to tiptoe, craning her neck around the massive swell of her stomach. The babies inside her were more active than ever, and every shift and kick sent ripples through her belly, making it wobble and bounce in a way that felt both strangely comforting and utterly overwhelming.

With a shaky breath, Allie took her first step forward. Her belly jostled, the weight shifting heavily as she leaned into the wheelbarrow, gripping the handles so hard her knuckles turned white. The sensation of her belly bouncing sent a shiver up her spine, a ripple of pleasure and strain mingling as the babies within her stretched and moved in response. The weight pressed down on her hips and back, anchoring her to the ground with a force that felt almost magnetic. Every muscle in her body burned from the strain, and yet, she pushed on.

“Hnnngh…” she groaned, each step a monumental effort. She could only manage one foot in front of the other before she had to stop, her whole body trembling as she caught her breath. Her belly moved with her like it had a mind of its own, swaying heavily, each motion amplified by the weight of the lives she carried.

She adjusted her grip and gave another push, letting out a soft moan as she felt the babies kick again, their tiny movements sending tingles up her back. It was almost too much; every sensation was magnified, her whole body attuned to the delicate shifts and twitches coming from within. She couldn’t help the sounds that escaped her, soft groans that seemed to echo in the stillness of the morning.

But it wasn’t just the weight—it was the sheer size. Her belly was so enormous now that it seemed to fill her entire line of vision. She had to pause constantly to rise on her tiptoes, craning her neck to see if she was still heading toward the front yard. Her swollen belly wobbled precariously with every attempt, spilling out of the wheelbarrow, resting heavily on her thighs, and sagging so low that it was just inches above the ground. She felt like she was carrying a whole world in front of her, and the idea of getting any bigger was beyond belief.

“Just…a little…further,” she whispered, teeth gritted as she took another step.

But every inch felt harder than the last. She was sure her belly was growing every day now, and she couldn’t imagine what the next few weeks would bring. It seemed inevitable that soon she wouldn’t be able to move at all. The idea frightened her, and yet, here she was, pushing forward, determined to make it just a bit further, even if it meant pausing between every single step.

Her body shuddered with the effort as she leaned forward again, her enormous belly pressing against the wheelbarrow as it wobbled and swayed with her movement. The weight was almost too much—her back ached, her legs shook, and she could feel her belly pressing down with a heaviness that was both grounding and overwhelming. She couldn’t stop herself from moaning softly with each step, the sounds slipping out as the babies moved and shifted inside her, each tiny motion reverberating through her like waves in a vast, living ocean.

Allie finally had to stop, her breath coming in ragged gasps. She looked up at the towering curve of her belly, her view entirely obstructed. She couldn’t see the path ahead, couldn’t see her feet, couldn’t even see the ground beneath her. It was just her, the massive expanse of her belly, and the unsteady wheelbarrow that somehow kept her anchored as she moved forward, one trembling step at a time.

As she leaned heavily on the wheelbarrow, she whispered, almost to herself, “I don’t know how much longer I can keep this up…”

The thought lingered as she took another shaky step forward, her belly bouncing heavily, swaying with every move. She knew the ninth month was coming—and with it, the promise of even more growth. But for now, she pushed on, gritting her teeth and focusing on each tiny movement, each small victory. Because as impossible as it seemed, she had made it this far. Deep down, she knew she would find the strength to carry on just a little further.