He was a huge distraction.

Dana dressed quickly in her favorite cargo khaki pants that thankfully still fit and a tee shirt and threw her shoes on for good measure. They had two more sex scenes for the movie to work on this week as well as several other scenes. They were trying to squeeze some extra scenes in because of the impending union strike and her impending huge stomach. When it hit it would put them behind schedule for however long it took both sides to agree on a contract.

She pulled out her laptop from her hiding place, under the couch, way in back behind books. The door opened as she was straightening everything on the coffee table. Edward walked in smiling.

“Don’t worry I’m just getting dressed then I’m out of here. I’m shooting a scene in an hour and I have to get over to make-up.” Edward leaned over and kissed her lips gently.

Dana nodded and yawned. Edward narrowed his eyes on her. She looked exhausted. “That’s it.” He closed her computer and placed it back under the couch.

She jumped to her feet. “Edward, what are you doing?”

He moved a throw pillow to the end of the couch and grabbed a blanket. “Lie down, you’re exhausted.”

She looked like she was going to argue, but he wasn’t hearing it. He picked her up and placed her on the couch and tucked her in.

“But I’m not tired!” she whined.

“Just humor me,” he said dryly. He kissed the top of her head. Edward dressed quickly and shut the light off, leaving a night light on. “Get some sleep.”

She closed her eyes and muttered a few choice words as she slowly fell asleep. She wasn’t sure how long she'd slept when she saw Edward sneak back into the room. He quietly walked over to her.

“You feel better?”

She nodded sleepily and began closing her eyes again. “Scoot over, sweetheart.” She moved to the edge and waited as Edward climbed on the couch to lie behind her. He wrapped his arms around her waist pulling her tightly against him and kissed the top of her head.

“Go back to sleep, baby, it’s okay. I’ve got you,” he whispered against her ear.

She tried to force her eyes open, but they were so heavy. “I’m sorry, baby. I don’t know why I’m so exhausted.”

He laughed softly. “Might have something to do with you being pregnant with my children. Just relax. We’re all set for another two hours.”

“Edward?”

“Yes?”

“What happens if they strike before the film is finished and I’m really fat when we start filming again?”

“I don’t know. Eric said he doesn’t foresee any problems. He said if that happens we’ll have to use body doubles for you. I hope it doesn’t come to that. I want you off your feet and resting as soon as you can.” He kissed her neck.

“Me too.”

He chuckled softly. “Go to sleep, sweetheart. It will be fine.”

Chapter 17

“You’re being such a bitch!” Edward yelled at Dana.

She stopped walking in the woods and turned on him. “I’m being a bitch?”

He got into her face. “You, my dear, are being a bitch!”

Her mouth hung open. “At least I know enough to put gas in the car when the indicator comes on and not stupid enough to pass by a gas station because I have to save ten cents a gallon!”

Edward threw up his hands in frustration. “Well sorry, madam, we can’t all be born with a silver spoon in our mouths. I’m sorry you have to get off your high and mighty ass and take a walk through the woods. God forbid!”

“When we get out of here you stay the hell away from me!” Dana said.

“Gladly,” he stepped around her to take the lead. “From now on I’m sticking to homely fat girls.”

Dana shrugged. “That sounds about your level,” she said sarcastically as she bent to take her high heels off. “Make sure they’re also blind and deaf so they don’t know what they’re getting themselves into.”

Edward stopped and turned around to say something else when Dana pushed past him. He grabbed her wrist and held it.

“What are you doing?” Dana demanded.

“Throwing you over my shoulder. The faster I get us out of here the sooner I can get away from your flat bony ass!” Edward said.

Dana looked back. “My ass isn’t flat or bony!” she gasped.

“Cut, that’s a wrap!” a man yelled.

Dana sighed with relief and leaned against a large tree. She placed her hands over her large stomach. Edward walked over and placed his hands on her stomach as well. “Are you okay, honey?”
“Dana, are you okay?” the director asked.

She bit her lip and held her breath.

Edward started to panic. “Where’s the medic?”

“Get the medic!” someone yelled.

Dana held up her hand to stop them. “No, I’m sorry, everyone. It’s just Braxton Hicks.” She exhaled slowly as she held onto her stomach.

Eric walked into the woods, looking out of place in his tailored suit. “Dana, are you okay?” he asked, placing a hand gently on her shoulder.

Taking deep slow breaths, she nodded.

“I’m really sorry filming took so long. We were hoping to get this done before you started to show.” He looked down at Dana’s very large stomach and chuckled softly. “I guess the strike and the earthquake kind of slowed us down.”

“Just a little bit,” she said dryly.

“Thirty eight weeks pregnant and you’re still busting your ass,” Eric said, grinning. “You know I owe you one, don’t you?”

“I plan on taking you up on that when I need a babysitter."

His face scrunched up. “Dana sweetie, I’d rather do public access television than change a diaper.”

She laughed. “I’m guessing Janet babied you too much with the kids.”

“Damn straight.” He chuckled. “I wasn’t allowed near the oldest boy until he was ten. She was so afraid I would corrupt him.”

The director walked over. “Thank you, Dana. That was the last time we are going to need you. Just let us get a shot with Edward and the body double then the both of you are completely free.”

“That sounds great.” She nearly groaned with relief. She walked slowly over the terrain trying to avoid rocks and tree roots.

Eric put his arm around her to help steady her. “Have I told you lately that you’re huge? Because you are you know.”

She playfully slapped him. It had as much force as a butterfly’s wing. Eric led her to a chair in the clearing and tried to sit her down, but she didn’t want to.

“I’ll just wait for Edward. He’ll be done in a few minutes.”

“Okay, but I’m staying with you,” Eric said. He watched her nervously as her breathing deepened.

They watched Dana’s body double stand in front of Edward. They were keeping her busy the last month. Dana was just glad they got the sex scenes out of the way. She didn’t like the idea of a double doing that. It would have been annoying to keep trading places.

A deep pain in her stomach made her tense up. The water that flowed down her leg made her wince. “Oh no,” she gasped softly.

“What?” Eric asked.

She bit her lip and turned to look at him. “My water just broke.”

Eric’s eyes shot down to look at the watery mess on the ground. All the color in his face disappeared. He started to look around nervously. Eric was about to yell for help when Dana placed her hand over his mouth to silence him.

She breathed through the pain. “Eric, it took us almost six months to finish this film. We are on the last scene. If you say anything it will be another month before Edward will get back here and if you are the reason why Edward is pulled away from me when I am left alone with two one month old babies screaming and crying I will personally hunt you down and beat you. Do you understand me? Let him finish.”

Eric’s eyes widened and he nodded frantically. She removed her hand. “What do we do?”

She held onto her stomach. “Just let him finish please. Where’s Amy? She needs to call Dr. Downy.”