Perfect

Ava pulled into her driveway, and all the tension in her shoulders started to melt away.

Dinner with her mother was as expected. Two hours of "you could be better" and countless stories of how "troubled" Ava was as an adolescent was all she could take. Not to mention the obvious difference in treatment between her and her siblings and the slight undertones of disdain her mother couldn't help but let slip into the conversation. No, Ava never did feel like she fit in with her mother's ideal life. Being her mother's first born and polar opposite she felt more like a breathing and walking symbol of regret.

Parking the cherry red model 3 Telsa in front of her garage door, she slid out of it's coal black interior, taking in the sight of her home. The two story, cream cobblestone structure sat prettily with fifteen hundred square​ feet of space. Large bay windows with rows of snow colored lily flowers underneath, sat on both sides of the cherry wood door. The well manicured yard had an assortment of trees​, from wide sweeping weeping willows to tall standing Oaks. Honeysuckle and strawberry bushes bloomed, ringing the koi pond steps away from the walkway. Not to mention the added bonus of the one hundred and thirty acres behind the home.

Ava loved everything about it. With the exception​ of nights like these. Nights​ like these where she was the only one in these four walls. Right after dinner Ava dropped Damien off to his car by her office. She'd fully expected him to follow her home. But as soon as they'd pulled away from her mother's house he'd told her he'd be going back into work. He'd been excusing himself, taking calls and texting the whole dinner leaving Ava to fend for herself.

It was as if the only way she could keep him home or keep his attention was screwing his brains out almost daily, feeding his face or spiraling into deafening silence brought on by loneliness and depression. It was always "work" this and "work" that. Hell she was a gotdamn criminal defense lawyer for Christ's sake and she'd never worked hours like that. Her time was his time to her. Maybe it was the pregnancy. Even though she was only four months and had no signs of showing soon, it could still be a turn off.

Ava padded through the living room, up the stairs and into her room. Walking into the all white presidential bathroom. Ava stripped out the suit Damien so readily tried to rip off of her. She stared at herself in the floor to ceiling mirror. Her size A cup breast had grown to a full C in her four months of pregnancy. Her muscular legs still had definition but were noticeably larger and shapely. Her hips had flared out further defining her coke bottle" shape. Turning and glancing over her shoulders her butt had lost it muscular appearance and also appeared rounder and softer. She could hear the words echo in her head of what Damien told her on the way to an appointment earlier that month. "You know before you got pregnant, you had the perfect body".

Immediately she felt the sting of rejection, shame and just plain old hurt.

Every time she looked at herself in the mirror it was as if he were here saying it again.

Ava knew in her heart he wasn't "working". But her mother and grandmother always said "Men are men. They gone cheat. But as long as your house don't lose no income, no babies are made, and you don't catch nothing you ain't throw, it'll be okay."

"But it's not" she mumbled sadly to herself.

Quickly taking off her lacy undergarments, she clicked on the switch turning on the heated floors and jumped in the shower. Water rained down on her from all angles and the bluetooth speakers automatically connected to her phone, softly playing Musiq Soulchild behind the liquid pitter patter.

"Never thought that we could ever be more than friends. Now I'm all confused cause for you, I have deeper feelings" she sang along. Right on cue her phone rang, cutting the tunes and playing the loud obnoxious default ringtone. She let it ring while she finished rinsing sunflower scented suds from her body. Looking at the digital clock on the wall it was eleven o'clock. She could only imagine a client would be calling her this late.

Ava wrapped herself in a thick white towel rubbing her hands on her side to return the call. Not even looking to see who it was she hit redial.

"Hey babygirl how you holding up?" A deep voice asked her, sending shivers down her spine and shockwaves to places that need no mention.

"Eric, do you have any idea what time it is?" She tried to say sternly, instead she sounded as if she was melting.

"Yea, I figured you'd need somebody to talk to. With it being late and all. I bet he's not home either. Where is he this time? Gym? Work? Dinner with a contractor?" Eric said.

Ava swallowed the lump in her throat "He's at work" she whispered softly.

"No he's not. Have you eaten?"

"Yes"

"When?"

"About an hour ago at momma's house."

" She did tell me you were going to be there today. The only reason I didn't come was because he was there too"

It didn't surprise Ava that her mother had told Eric she'd be there. Eric and Ava had been friends since they were eleven years old and briefly dated before she found Damien. Eric was no angel, rumors of his promiscuity killed them faster than cancer. He couldn't stand being accused. But none the less her mother dotted on him and Ava was almost sure her momma prayed they'd be together.

Eric was a gorgeous man. 6'4, slanted almond colored eyes, fresh military crew cut and teeth white enough to get a loan. His long limbs were muscular and his skin was just brown enough to be make you drool. Something like chocolate.

"Eric I have to go, it's late. You know if it's not an emergency I don't talk after nine."

He completely ignored her, "How's the baby?"

"He's fine.."

"How do you know it's a he and not a she? And how are you?"

True enough Ava only wished it was boy she didn't know she for certain.

"It's a boy because I said so and I'm okay, just tired."

She had been diagnosed with hyperemesis gravidarum, causing her to constantly be sick and have morning sickness at any and all points during the day or night.

Eric cleared his throat, "Well I'm going to come see you tomorrow, wear something nice. Something blue." She heard​ the smirk in his voice and could almost feel his eyes on her body. "Good night Avie." Without waiting for her response, he hung up. Ava sighed heavily, throwing the towel on the carpet. She made her way to the kitchen, racked with guilt and bad nerves she poured herself a glass of wine. She began prepping to make Damien breakfast for when he got off. She had to remind him she was going to be the perfect wife.