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Mariska tried several times to button her coat, but gave up the fourth time she couldn’t get the stretched fabric to stay while she worked to fasten the closure around her growing belly. She dramatically threw her hands down and yelled to the cameraman, “You’re just going to have to cut away when I enter the frame.”
“I’d help you if you let me,” Chris said quietly. He stood by her side, on their marks.
It was early Spring and although there was still a chill in the air, Mariska was nearly dripping with sweat. She would never say it, but she envied all those women who insisted being pregnant was like a walk in the park. She was more than ready for a few months off.
Mariska broke the scene and turned towards Chris, practically handing her midsection to him. They stood uncomfortably close for everyone else around them, but the pair didn’t seem to notice.
Chris looked at her seriously, worry etched between his eyebrows. He said softly so only they could hear, “Are you okay? Should we take a break?” He reached around her and brought the sides of her jacket together, resting his hands on top of her stomach. “Call it quits for the day?
He was so gentle with her lately. They stood for a beat too long with their eyes locked like that, not moving. Then she shook her head slightly. “Nah, I’m good. Let’s get this bastard,” she said, letting herself slip right into Olivia again.
They turned back to the camera in unison, and the forgotten fabric fell to her sides. It was never about the buttons on her coat anyway, but she wasn’t ready to admit that.