“Okay, then. Pregnancy is a possibility, but I’d like to run some blood tests—not just for that, but other things as well. I’ll send the nurse in to take your blood, and we’ll send it to the lab. In the meantime, let’s do a urine test.”
I nodded. I had no idea what to say, and I didn’t want to get my hopes up and then be let down. The doctor handed me a urine cup and sent me to the restroom. My head was spinning, and I couldn’t keep up with all the thoughts flying through it. We had tried for almost seven months, and all it took was one vacation to make it happen.
After doing my business in the bathroom, I returned to the examination table on shaky legs. The nurse came in for the urine sample, and then returned to take my blood. She took several vials. After she’d poked my veins too many times, I knew I’d have a big bruise on my arm.
Before I left the exam room, the doctor gave me the results to the urine test. Doctor Park explained it would be best to wait for the blood test results to be sure. After all the emotional ups and downs with trying to get pregnant, I decided that would be best.
When I walked into the waiting room, I searched for Dominic immediately. My face must have scared him because, in a flash, he threw his magazine down and almost ran across the room to me. With his hands on my shoulders, he asked what the doctor had said.
“Nothing much. He took blood and said we’ll get the results in a few days. It just made me nervous. Now I have to wait to find out what is wrong with me,” I said.
I ended up waiting five days for a phone call from my doctor’s office. The wait was painful, but I didn’t want to tell Dominic it was possible I was pregnant until I was sure. I knew it would hurt him if I had to let him down in the end. But when I got the call, the results shocked the hell out of me. I couldn’t wait to share the news with Dominic and Lucia—I knew they would both just jump for joy.
~*~*~
After I left work the day of the phone call, I stopped at a print shop on the way home. The store was able to print my items while I waited, and I went home with my loot, very giddy.
Arriving home, I parked my car and rode the elevator to my floor. The scent of garlic wafted through the hallway, and I hoped it was coming from our condo. Slipping my key in the door, I walked in and knew instantly that Dominic had cooked linguini with clam sauce. My stomach let out a loud growl. I peeked into the kitchen and saw him at the stove.
“Hey, babe,” I said.
He walked over to me and kissed hard on the lips. “Hi, honey. How was your day?” he asked.
“It was good. If that is ready, can you turn it off for a minute??” I said, pointing to the stove. I was too eager to wait until after dinner.
“Yeah, sure. Go and sit down, and I’ll be right there.”
“Lucia?” I called for her. She came running out of her room and jumped into my arms. I planted kisses all over her face “Hi, kiddo. Can you come and sit with us so we can talk?” I asked. She nodded and ran to the sofa.
Dominic came over and sat next to Lucia so that she was between us. The expression on his face was one of concern. I felt bad for making him worry for nothing, but I hoped the surprise would make it all better.
“I bought you two a surprise.”
Dominic’s eyebrows scrunched down in confusion. Lucia began bouncing in her seat.
“Okay, I’m going to give them to you, but you have to open them at the same time. Only when I say you can,” I said.
They both nodded, and I handed them the little gift bags.
“Ready? Open it!” I yelled.
I sat and watched them pull the tissue paper out of their little yellow gift bags until they got to the gift at the bottom. Lucia pulled hers out first, but I didn’t think she’d be able to read it without help. When my eyes flickered back to Dominic, he had the gift spread out on his lap. “Read it out loud,” I said.
He held up the plain white t-shirt and read, “My wife has a bun in the oven.” His face opened up to wide eyes and a big smile. “Is this for real?”
I nodded, tears streaming down my face.
“Can I read mine out loud?” asked Lucia.
“Go ahead, Lucia,” I said and gestured toward her shirt.
Dominic held it up for her to see, and she said, “I’m going to be a big sister.”
She looked from me to Dominic and to me again. “I am?” she asked.
“Yup,” I answered.
“When? I want it now!” she screeched.
Dominic and I laughed at her excitement. “Well, the doctor said the baby won’t come until March twentieth of next year,” I explained.
“What? Why so long? Is it a girl or boy?”
“I don’t know yet. It’s too soon to tell. But listen — after dinner I’ll show you what the baby looks like now on the computer. Okay?”
“Yes! Okay, let’s eat.” She jumped up and ran to the table.
Dominic pulled me to him and engulfed me in his arms.
“I’m so happy. I didn’t think it was possible to feel happier than I did when I met you, but I was wrong. How can I even begin to express how much more my heart is swelling to fit all the love and happiness I feel for you, Lucia, and now our new baby? I love you. Thank you for loving me and making all my dreams come true,” he said while his voice cracked from his overwhelming emotion.
“Please don’t ever thank me for loving you. Loving you and being with you and now expanding our family with you makes me the happiest person on the planet. I love you with all my heart,” I said.
~FIN~
About the Author
Jennifer Garcia
Jennifer Garcia’s (aka Forbes Arnone) love of travel began when she traveled to the West Coast to visit her father at the age of three. Her home until she was sixteen was a small coastal town near Boston. She currently resides in Los Angeles with her husband, two sons, and two dogs.
Her lifelong love for reading and writing was put aside for many years while she made her way in the world and nurtured her young family. Even though she is older, and life never seems to settle, she’s finding her way while attending college full-time in pursuit of a B.A. in English Literature. She also runs a business, and is still caring for her family. Believing she can do it all, with the help of her family, she worked on her first novel during the late hours of the night while balancing the rest of her life during the day.
Her Works
Summer Heat:
In My Mother’s Footsteps, penned as Forbes Arnone
My Mr. Manny Page 18