Kalli chooses that moment to return to the room, and I could kiss her. “I found it!” she says, stopping when she sees my red face and the others laughing. “What’d I miss?”
Kale shakes his head and motions for her to sit down. “Nothing, Kall. Picture time can come later. I’m starving, and all this talking is putting me in a bad mood.”
I laugh as Kalli starts to pout, but he stops her.
“Later,” he says firmly before turning to me and pointing at my plate. “Eat. Now.”
Biting my lip to keep from giggling at his forcefulness, I dig into my plate as Kale takes control of the conversation, keeping both of his sisters busy by asking questions about what they’ve been up to. They’re both all too happy to be getting attention from him, and Ginger and I eat in silence as we watch them. When she sees my empty plate, she nods her head towards the kitchen, and I follow her there, leaving Kale deep in conversation with the twins.
“There’s plenty more, so help yourself. Those two can keep him entertained for hours if they get the chance. Feel free to relax or steal him away whenever you want.”
“Oh, I’m fine. I know he doesn’t get to come home all that often. I’m okay with hanging out in the background while he spends time with his sisters. In fact, it’s fun just to sit back and watch. You did a great job raising them. I hope I’m not out of bounds by saying this, but from what I can tell, I hope I’m half the mom you are.”
Ginger’s eyes well up and she pulls me in for a hug. “That’s a sweet thing to say, Lucy. And I have no doubts that you will be. If you love this baby as much as you love my son, there’s no way you won’t be a great mother.”
She lets go of me and moves around the kitchen, refilling her plate. I’m frozen at her words, and I have no idea where she got that idea. “We’re not. I mean, I’m not…” I start to stutter, not sure how in the hell I’m supposed to tell my unborn child’s grandmother that I’m not in love with her son. I can’t get the words out, and she gives me a small smile.
“It’s okay, Lucy. You don’t have to say anything. Neither does Kale. I know what I see when you two look at each other. I see how tender he is with you, how you pull strength from him. You might not know how you feel yet, but the rest of us can see it. You’ll get there. And don’t let an old woman rush you. It’ll happen sooner or later, but let it happen naturally. Anything forced is just a disaster in the making.”
Swallowing hard, I can only nod. Do we really give out the vibes that we’re in love? I can’t deny what she said. Instead of dwelling on it, I push it aside and move to get some more turkey as I change the subject.
“Where did you get this turkey, Ginger? It’s so freaking good. I’m usually not even a big turkey fan, but I can’t get enough of this stuff.”
Ginger’s about to answer when I feel strong arms wrap about my waist. Kale’s chin falls to my shoulder as he studies my plate. “Umm, babe, which plate are you eating your turkey from?” he asks, and I wrinkle my nose as I point to the only plate with turkey on it.
He begins to chuckle and Ginger’s trying to hide a smile.
“I may convert her yet, Kale,” she tells him, laughing as she leaves the room.
I turn in his arms, and he’s grinning down at me. “What’s so funny?” I ask, having obviously missed out on a joke.
“I’m pretty sure you just made my mom’s day. That turkey you were just raving about? Yeah, totally vegan. You remember me mentioning the Tofurky, right?” he teases, and I turn around to snatch another piece from the plate, eyeing it suspiciously.
“Seriously? I did think the texture seemed a little off, but I just figured it was how it was cooked. Wow. I had no idea just how good that stuff could be.” And I mean it. I make a note to look it up at the grocery store when I get home because it’s really that good.
“Yeah, the real turkey’s over there,” he tells me, pointing at a plate next to the stove I obviously bypassed earlier.
Ignoring him, I pile the Tofurky on my plate and cover it with his mom’s to-die-for gravy. “Hey, I like it, and I’m sticking with it,” I call to him as I leave him in the kitchen and join the rest of the women in the dining room.
As soon as I sit down, Kalli comes at me full force with questions. “So, Lucy, what do you think you’re having? Do you want to find out the gender? I hope you have a girl. That’d be hilarious. All Kale’s dealt with all his life are females and I’d laugh my ass if he has a daughter.”
Meeting her eyes, I give a slight shake of my head. “I know it’s cliché to say, but I don’t care what the gender is as long as the baby’s healthy. But I think Kale would be perfectly fine having a little girl. Think of all the experience he has growing up with all women. I think he’d be able to handle it just fine.”
Kale walks in just then and gives me a quizzical look. “Handle what, baby?” he asks as he takes his seat next to me.
“Oh, Kalli’s wishing a little girl on us so you continue to be outnumbered, but I told her I think you can handle it.”
“Kall, have you forgotten about Lily? I’m practically her second father. I don’t care if I’m outnumbered or not. I just want Lucy and the baby to be healthy,” he tells her, echoing my own sentiments.
Ginger interjects before Kalli can argue with him. “And I’m sure you’ll make sure that they’re well taken care of, just like you did for the three of us all those years.”
Kale’s face softens and he nods, indicating that he’ll do just that.
I take a moment to look around the table, overwhelmed with how right this seems. Rubbing my belly, I silently let my baby know that he’s going to be so loved. Kale must notice my movements, because a moment later, his hand’s covering mine. When my eyes meet his, I see the love in them, and once again, I know Sprout’s going to be the luckiest kid in the world.
IT’S BEEN five days since we got back from Alabama, and as I get out of the shower, I smile as I recall the time spent there. The rest of the weekend with Kale’s family was comfortable as I got to know them better, and Kalli didn’t let me leave without agreeing to let them throw a small baby shower in the spring before the baby’s born. She was so excited, practically bouncing off the walls at the idea of being aunt, and I didn’t have the heart to tell her no, especially since Mom lives only any hour away and would be able to make it.
Kaylie was slightly standoffish all weekend, and I just figured she was the more reserved of the twins. I could tell she’s the protective one of the bunch, whereas Ginger and Kalli both wear their hearts on their sleeves and love easily. She wasn’t rude or impolite, but I caught her watching me, listening to the conversations rather than participating in them, almost like she was trying to get a good read on me. Normally I’d feel uneasy, but I know how I’d feel if Marisa—in ten years, of course—showed up at home with a stranger and announced that she was pregnant. I decided not to let it bother me and chose just to be grateful that Kale has someone who loves him that much to watch his back. I just hope I left her with a good impression. She did chime in and ask to help with the shower, so that’s hopefully a step in the right direction.
Warm hands slide around my waist and underneath my t-shirt, breaking me out of my thoughts. Kale’s hot breath is tickling my ear, and I can’t help the shiver that runs down my spine.
“You look gorgeous, babe,” he whispers as I watch him in the mirror behind me.
“You’re crazy. I just got out of the shower and haven’t done anything except get dressed.”
“Exactly. I like you just like this. Freshly showered, barefoot, in my bathroom.”
I turn in his arms so that I’m parallel to the mirror. Pulling my t-shirt up, I rub my belly, trying to tell if there’s a small bump there or if I just ate too much at lunch. At twelve weeks, I feel like I should be seeing the changes, but Ginger assured me that every woman has a different experience and it’s normal that I’m not quite showing yet.
“Yeah, you say that now, but just wait until I look like I ha
ve a beach ball under my shirt.”
“I’ll still think the same thing, babe. No matter how big Sprout grows, you’ll always be the most beautiful girl in the world to me.”
I blush at his words, and even though we’ve officially adopted Sprout as the baby’s nickname, my heart still flip-flops every time I hear him use it. Like each time the word is spoken, it becomes a little more real. While I may tease Kale about my impending growing belly, I can’t wait to have the physical evidence of the child growing inside me. My pants have been getting harder to button, but I guess I’m just anxious for a real bump to rest my hands on.
Glancing at the clock on the wall, I realize we’re running behind. “Okay, sweet talker, get out of here. If you wanna hear this baby’s heartbeat, I’ve got five minutes to get ready and out the door or else we’re going to be late.”
A huge grin spreads over Kale’s face and he’s out the door without another word, causing me to laugh behind him. His excitement is contagious, and I quickly throw on a little mascara and lip gloss before slipping into comfortable yoga pants and a sweatshirt before I walk down the hall, where I find Kale waiting by the door, anxious as ever. Ginger asked about an ultrasound, and I swear he paled before she could even finish the question. When I stepped in and told her that the appointment was this week, he looked at me with wide eyes, pulling me into a hug. Over my head, he promised his mom a copy of it as soon as possible. This, combined with the way Kaylie reacted when she found out about the baby, has me wondering if he’s hiding something, but he’s always been an open book. I shrug it off, assuming it’s just nerves.
When we get in the car, he tosses me a bottle of water, and I look at him quizzically.
“What’s this for?” I ask.
“Mom may have called earlier to tell me to have you drink a bottle of water before you go to the appointment. Something about how the water will help lift uterus away from the pelvis and it can help get a clear look at the baby.” He must see the weird look on my face because he’s quick to continue. “Hey, she had three healthy kids, and I’ll do whatever I can to make sure this ultrasound’s a success.”
I open the bottle and start drinking from it. “Whatever she says. That’s three more than I’ve had, so I’ll trust her advice. I guess it’s time we start reading those baby books that are stacked on the coffee table.”
He grins at me as he pulls out of the driveway. “Better late than never, baby.”
ONCE I’M situated on the bed in the doctor’s office, Kale begins pacing the room, causing my nerves to grow increasingly with each back and forth movement. I’m about to ask him what the hell is going on when the door opens and Dr. Foster walks in, greeting us both. Kale finally settles into a seat against the wall as the doctor begins her exam. I’m trying to focus on what she’s saying, but I can’t stop looking at him out of the corner of my eye. His leg’s bouncing up and down and his fingers are drumming nervously against his knee. He’s staring at Dr. Foster, hanging on to every word. I guess that’s a good thing since I’m too busy watching him, wondering why he seems so nervous now after he’s been the calm one from the very beginning.
Finally, the doctor interrupts my thoughts and I tear my gaze away from him. “Okay, Lucy, are you ready to hear your baby’s heartbeat?” she asks, and my own heart flutters. I’m a bundle of nerves, but I nod accordingly, absentmindedly holding my hand out for Kale. He’s by my side in a flash.
She begins to rub a jellylike substance over my belly, and I shiver as the cold liquid spreads. “This is used to get a better connection between the transducer of the machine and your womb. I know it’s cold, but I promise, you’ll get used to it,” she reassures me. Bringing the transducer to my stomach, she begins the process. “Okay, let’s see what we have here. Sometimes these little guys can be stubborn and it’ll take a minute to find the heartbeat.”
“Kale’s mom told me to drink water to lift my uterus,” I blurt out, hoping that it’ll make me sound prepared.
Dr. Foster gives Kale a smile then turns to me. “There actually have been studies conducted that have shown that drinking water before an ultrasound can do just that, so she wasn’t off base with her advice. Let’s see if your little one agrees.”
I’m holding my breath and squeezing Kale’s hand tightly as I watch her move the wand around on my stomach while she stares at the screen beside her. It feel like forever until the most beautiful sound fills the room. Thump, thump, thump, thump. Tears prick my eyes, and I turn to look at Kale, who’s smiling down at me, his own eyes shining.
“You hear that, baby? It’s Sprout,” he whispers almost reverently.
My breath catches as I watch the realization that our baby is real spread over his face in a look of both shock and awe, and I know exactly how he feels. I haven’t questioned for a second that I—that we—are having a baby, but it isn’t until this moment that I really, truly feel the parental connection between us. Right now, all I see is him, and the heartbeat filling the room is all I can hear. My own starts racing in time with Sprout’s beats as it sinks in that we did this. We created this child. And whether we knew it or not, I now am certain without a doubt that he was created out of love. Ginger was right. We might not be ready to voice it, but there’s no denying what’s between us, and suddenly I know I don’t want to any longer.
Dr. Foster clears her throat, and I struggle to tear my eyes away from Kale. When I look at her, I see that she’s turned the screen towards us, and he squeezes my hand while bracing himself on the bed with his other one. My eyes are transfixed on the grainy image, and my heart’s caught in my throat as I look at my baby for the first time.
“We got lucky with this one. He—not saying it’s a boy, but for all intents and purposes, we’ll stick with he for now—was apparently ready make his on-screen debut. From what I can tell, everything looks great and he’s developing exactly as he should be.”
Relief flows through me, and Kale leans over the bed to look at the screen, eyes dancing. “Is he…is he lounging?” he asks incredulously, and I get up on my elbows to get a closer look, careful not to move too much.
“It sure looks like it,” she agrees with him and begins to point out Sprout on the screen. “It appears as if his arms are behind his neck, and his legs are propped up on the uterine wall in front of him. If you can see the way he’s lying there, it almost looks like he’s relaxing on a hammock or a lawn chair. All in all, he looks like a very comfortable fetus. Let’s hope he stays that way.”
She goes through a bit more information, but I barely register her words. I can’t take my eyes off him, and it isn’t until she turns the machine off that I realize the appointment is over. Kale gently wipes the gel off my skin and helps me sit up as Dr. Foster closes my chart.
“Okay, Lucy, like I said, you look like you’re developing right on schedule, and everything looks great with the baby. Do you have any questions for me?”
I’m about to tell her no when Kale interjects even though he’s been unusually quiet during the whole appointment. “What do I need to look out for to ensure that Lucy and the baby stay healthy? Are there any warning signs of complications that I can be alert to so I know if she needs to seek medical attention?”
Dr. Foster rummages through a cabinet beside the bed and pulls out a thick booklet. “Read up on this material and it’ll answer any question that you have. If for some reason you still have concerns, let me know. Do me a favor and don’t go play Dr. Web MD, okay?” she offers with a smile.
“Thanks,” he replies. “I just get worried that I might miss something, and I want to ensure Lucy and the baby are healthy throughout the entire pregnancy.”
“I’m sure you’ll be fine, Kale. Most first-time parents have the same nerves you do, but I assure you, at this point, Lucy and the baby are perfectly healthy. In fact, unless you’re adamant on a sixteen-week appointment, we can meet back here in eight weeks at the halfway mark. If you want to know the gender, we’ll be able to know that day wi
thout a doubt, especially if the fetus is as relaxed as he was today.”
I hate the way she calls Sprout a fetus, but at the same time, I don’t want to share his name with anyone else. He’s so much more than just a fetus. He’s my baby, my sprout, the love of my life, and I can still hear the echo of his heartbeat in my head.
Turning my attention back to the doctor, I nod my head. “That’s fine. It’s going to be hell, but I can wait. I don’t think my insurance covers another visit until then anyway.”
Dr. Foster smiles and pushes back from her chair. “I’ll see you in eight weeks, then. Go ahead and make an appointment with the receptionist, and I’ll have the CD with the ultrasound photos out to you in a just a moment. If you have any questions or concerns over the next eight weeks, please don’t hesitate to call the office. Have a great weekend, you two.”
We echo her sentiments and watch as she leaves the room. I’m about to hop down from the bed when Kale gets between my legs and pulls me into his arms. My head rests against his chest and I can feel his heart beating wildly. He holds me tight, squeezing almost too much.
“Kale, are you okay?” I ask, wondering what the hell is going through his mind.
He pulls back from me, cups my cheeks with both hands, and brings his forehead to mine. “I’ve never been more freaking okay in my life, Lucy Beth,” he says, using the nickname he must’ve overheard Mom calling me, and my heart melts. “All along, I’ve know this is real, but it wasn’t until I heard that heartbeat that it all really settled in. He’s real. Our baby is growing inside you—a part of me, a part of you. And I hafta say, if that first ultrasound is any indication, I have a feeling he’s going to take after his old man. Laid back and relaxed. But seriously, baby, that was the most incredible thing I’ve ever seen. Our baby. Wow. I don’t even know what to say other than that.”
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