chapter 1

Ashley and Doug had moved to city just a month ago. They had graduated from college that spring, and got married. Doug was an engineer and quickly got a job with a large firm. Ashley found a job with a small manufacturer in the accounts receivables department. It wasn’t her dream job of course, but it added some more income and benefits too.

Ashley started on a Monday morning in late summer. She was introduced around the department by the supervisor, Marge. Everyone was very friendly and warm toward the new girl and Ashley got settled in processing incoming checks, matching invoices and posting the payments. She was the youngest person in the department and the slimmest as well.

The break room was always stocked with donuts, pastries, various teas, coffees and fruit juices. Ashley’s co-workers took advantage of the food and ate at all of their breaks as well as lunch. Lunch was catered in during busy times and the meals were always rich and heavy.

Ashley got home after her first day. “Doug, I’m home!” “How was your first day, Ash?” “It was good, everyone was very friendly and helpful showing me the “ropes”, though, they do sure like to eat though, and most of my department co-workers are pretty heavy.” “Is that a problem for you Ash?” “Oh no, Doug it’s not, I will just have to be careful and watch what I eat.”
Ashley was five foot two inches tall and weighed around one hundred and ten pounds. She did workout, but wasn’t a real freak about it or a “gym rat”. If she couldn’t make it to the gym, it didn’t break her heart.

Doug and Ashley settled into a comfortable routine. Doug traveled occasionally but only once or twice a month. Ashley’s commute was short only a few miles and they were enjoying married life.

During this time both of them put on some weight. This was the first time either one had truly worked in office jobs. Their jobs during summers and college were retail/service jobs that you were on your feet all day.

Doug got used to going out to lunch and while traveling, always ate out, usually eating more than he did at home. He put on fifteen pounds, getting a bit of a belly and thicker in the butt and thighs. His clothes were tighter, but not to the point of being embarrassing.

Ashley was having a hard time resisting her co-worker encouraging her to snack and eat with them. She put on ten pounds and her cloths were getting tight as well. She knew the lines of her panties and bra straps were showing through the material of some of her tighter dresses. She was having a hard time getting motivated to go to the gym as well.

One Saturday morning Doug and Ashley were just hanging out in bed. Doug was just wearing boxers and Ashley had on a teddy/bikini sleep set. “Doug, I have been gaining weight. I don’t know what I’m going to do about it. There are always so many things to eat at work, I’m having trouble resisting temptation and my co-workers really encourage me to eat more and more.”

“Hey Ash, don’t worry about your weight, I mean, I have put on weight too.” He patted his thickening waist. “Oh honey, it’s different for women, we feel self-conscious about our appearance.” “Ash, I love you, we’re married, remember? I love you no matter what, just stop worrying about your weight. It’s not a big deal to me, Okay?” Ashley smiled and snuggled against Doug, feeling his extra pounds, thinking, “I’m glad I mentioned my weight to Doug, I was hoping he would say not to worry. I’m not going to let myself go certainly, but I don’t want to fret about every bite I take.”

A couple of months later, it was getting close to the holidays and both of them had put on more weight. Doug gained eighteen pounds. He had a project out of town and spent more time traveling and of course eating out. Ashley gained twenty two pounds, being constantly tempted by Marge and her co-workers, snacking at all of her breaks, eating catered in meals, drinking sweetened drinks and lattes instead of just regular coffee. She was bursting out of most of her clothes, even her “fat” clothes. She was a little concerned, but Doug, true to his word was just as enamored with Ashley’s now plumper body as he was when she was thinner.

During a holiday trip to Doug’s parents for Thanksgiving Doug and Ashley made love several times, especially after eating and drinking way too much. Just a week before Christmas Ashley started to have morning sickness, she suspected she was pregnant. She made an appointment with her OB/ GYN and she was right.