The clock on the nightstand read 3.28 am. Alex whined into the pillow, trying to keep quiet so that Joe could at least get some sleep. They had gone to bed hours ago, yet Alex had not been able to get much sleep. As soon as he had dozed off, the baby had decided it was time to start moving around. At the early stages of his pregnancy he had liked it when they moved, but they were really running out of space now, and it really hurt when they moved. He clenched his teeth as a kick distorted his belly, a large bulge sticking out next to his belly button. He started rubbing the bulge, gently pushing against it to encourage his baby to stop. It seemed to work. The bulge went away and he sighed in relief. Then a sharp kick had him hissing and grabbing his underbelly.
This was useless. Alex looked over at Joe, who was still sound asleep. Slowly, he got up and went to the bathroom to turn on the tub. Maybe the warm water would calm the twins down.
With great difficulty he got rid of his nightgown and underwear, and he got into the tub. He moaned in relief as the warm water surrounded him. He was too big to lie in any position other than on his side, and standing and sitting had started to become very taxing on his back. But in the water the weight seemed to disappear. He closed his eyes and leaned back against the tub, rubbing the sides of his stomach. For a minute or so it was incredibly nice. Then, his baby discovered their new position and started going all out. Alex was glad he had turned on the radio as well as closed the door, since he was now less likely to wake up Joe. He moaned when bumps formed all over. When he moved his hand to one spot, it would take almost no time at all for a new place to be kicked.
“Ohhhh” Alex threw his head back when the baby started to completely change their positions. “Please stop. You’re hurting dadd-ah!” He cried out when his belly was lurched to the other side. His hands clutched the sides, trying to contain the movement.
