“Hey, I need to run a background check,” he said to the person on the other end of the line. “A thorough one.”
One Week Later
Cairo and Israel sat in the waiting room of Dr. Sinclair Jameson. It was an exciting time, but also an anxious one. Cairo had had a few more days of morning sickness. Fortunately, it didn’t last, and she was able to bounce back fairly quickly from it and go on with her day. Her appetite was good, and outside of the occasional nausea, things were going well. Israel was as overprotective as she expected him to be. He would hardly allow Cairo to lift a finger, making sure that anything she could ever want, she had at a moment's notice. Cairo’s eyes trailed around the waiting room. There were several clients waiting. She looked at their swollen bellies and watched as they rubbed their tummies with such care. She found herself doing the same thing, even though she had no protrusion to confirm that, indeed, she had a life growing in her womb. She smiled. Israel rubbed her belly just as much as she did. And since they confirmed their pregnancy, he had already started talking to the baby.
“I want to make sure he recognizes my voice,” Israel would say.
“Or she,” Cairo would counter.
Even as they waited, Israel’s arm was draped covetously around Cairo. He was her barrier between anything that could potentially harm her. The level of security she felt being with him, being held by him, was insurmountable.
“Mr. and Mrs. Ali?”
Cairo smiled. She never got tired of hearing that, either.
Israel stood first and then offered a hand to Cairo to help her to her feet. He waited until she took the first step before placing a firm hand to her back and walking alongside her.
“This way,” the assistant directed.
They fell in line behind her, walking through a door and then down a long hall. When they reached the desired destination, the assistant showed the couple into an examination room.
“Mrs. Ali, there is a gown that you can change into, hanging right behind the door. The ultrasound technician will be with you shortly.”
Israel took a seat by the table as Cairo stepped behind a partition and undressed. When she emerged, Israel smiled.
“You are beautiful,” he crooned.
“And you’re the consummate flatterer,” Cairo hummed. “Nobody looks good in a hospital gown.”
“You do,” Israel countered, lifting himself to standing and helping Cairo to sit on the edge of the examination table.
“Good, babe?”
“Yeah, I’m good,” she smiled.
Before long, there was a knock at the door.
“Come in,” Cairo replied.
The door opened. “Hello. My name is Reagan, and I’ll be doing your sonogram.”
Reagan made her way into the room and asked Cairo to lean back on the table. Israel was right there to help comfortably lower her head and stayed there with Cairo to ensure she was comfortable. Reagan donned rubber gloves and opened Cairo’s gown.
“I just want to warn you. This is going to be cold.”
“Okay,” Cairo smiled.
She and Israel watched as the technician squeezed a tube and put gel on Cairo’s belly.
“It is cold,” she shuddered.
“So, what happens now?” Israel asked.
“Well, I’m going to put this instrument on your wife’s belly. You’ll hear some noises and see the sonogram of your wife’s uterus come up on this screen.”
“Okay,” Israel nodded.
Cairo reached for his hand as the technician did what she said. They heard wavelength-like sounds, and Israel leaned in, looking at the screen. Cairo faced the screen as well.
“So, here is the uterus,” the technician explained as she pointed to the screen.”
Then, there was a change in the sound they heard.
“Is that?” Cairo uttered.
“Yes,” the technician smiled. “That’s your baby’s heartbeat.”
Israel’s eyes widened as he leaned in, even more, hearing the incredible sound and, for the first time, seeing the outline of what actually looked like a person.
“Wow,” Cairo uttered as she saw and heard her baby for the first time, too.
She felt the grip Israel had on her hand tighten.
“Babe,” he uttered, peeling his eyes away from the screen only long enough to gaze at his amazing wife and kiss her on the lips.
Cairo didn’t even bother trying to fight back the tears. She let them flow as she blinked to refocus on her baby.
“Can we tell how far along we are?” Cairo asked.
“We can,” the technician replied.
Israel watched as the pleasant smile that had been on the technician’s lips slowly faded. It was quickly replaced by a furrowed brow.
“Is everything okay, Reagan?” Israel asked, trying to keep his tone light so as not to alarm Cairo.
“I just want to double-check something,” she replied, never taking her eyes from the screen nor stopping the assuaging movement of the instrument on Cairo’s belly.
Despite Israel’s and Reagan’s best efforts, Cairo noticed. She noticed the difference in the way the room felt. She noticed the difference in the way the technician responded. Cairo squeezed Israel’s hand with both of hers. That moment of elation was quickly dissipating, and Cairo was concerned.
“Give me just a moment,” the technician uttered.
She didn’t wait for a reply. She was already out of her seat and headed out the door before either Cairo or Israel had a chance to say anything. She couldn’t hide the tears that spilled from her lids. Israel lowered himself, kissing Cairo’s tear-stained cheeks, then her forehead. He brought her eyes to his.
“We’ll get through this, beloved.”
She couldn’t speak, but she did offer Israel a slight nod of agreement.
When the door to the examination room opened again, both of their eyes were drawn to it.
“Greetings. I’m Dr. Jameson,” she said, offering the couple a warm smile. “Reagan asked me to come in and take a look at the sonogram. Okay?”
They didn’t answer as Dr. Jameson took a seat next to Cairo. She donned latex gloves and applied more gel to Cairo’s belly.
“Apologies for the temperature,” she uttered as her eyes immediately focused on the screen.
Again, they heard the reaffirming sound of their baby’s beating heart.
“Dr., please, what’s going on?” Israel asked.
“Your baby’s heartbeat is strong,” Dr. Jameson replied. “Which is good,” she continued. “What Reagan heard and what I’m hearing now is a slight echo.”
“What does that mean?” Cairo dared to ask.
“It doesn’t mean anything is wrong,” Dr. Jameson said, turning to face the couple. “It could be something as simple as the heartbeat is so strong, there is not enough weight of the baby to absorb the reverberation.”
“Or,” Israel uttered.
“Or, it could mean that we need to monitor the baby’s heartbeat closely so that we can rule in or rule out a possible heart murmur.”
She could see concern written on both parents' faces.
“I know that sounds incredibly scary,” Dr. Jameson confirmed. “But, heart murmurs are not uncommon in babies.”
“Would something like that require surgery, or how is it addressed?” Israel asked.
“More times than not, no surgery is required. Any number of babies outgrow the murmur and have no further issues or complications. The heart is still forming as the baby grows in your belly. The body, even a baby’s tiny body, has an incredible capacity to repair itself.”
“So, the baby’s okay?” Cairo whispered.
“The baby is okay, and there are no special precautions you need to take, Mrs. Ali, none at all.”
“That’s relieving,” Cairo sighed, blowing out heavily between her lips.
“Can you tell how far along we are?”
“I can,” Dr. Jameson smiled. There was something about her demea
nor and her smile that helped to put Cairo at ease.
“You are about sixteen weeks along,” she replied.
“That’s four months,” Israel calculated.
“Which means you are successfully out of your first trimester, which is another good sign.”
“So, we're okay?” Cairo asked with trepidation on her lips. She had never held Israel’s hands more tightly.
“You all are fine,” Dr. Jameson answered. “If you decide to stay with my practice for the duration of your pregnancy, we would want to see you in a couple of months, just to check your progress, see how much the baby has grown, see how well you’re doing which is might I add, standard operating procedure for all expectant mothers. It’s not an unnatural appointment which will hopefully reassure you that you are indeed doing well. If you, however, decide to see a different practitioner, we would encourage you to make sure you sign a release of information before leaving so we can share the sonogram results with him or her and try and schedule a follow-up appointment within that same kind of timeframe.”
Both Cairo and Israel nodded, feeling somewhat relieved in their own way.
“Do you have any questions for me?”
Israel looked at Cairo and was comforted to see the worry lines were no longer creasing her brow.
“I don’t have any questions, babe. Do you?”
“Not any I can think of, but I’m sure I will,” Cairo smiled.
“And that’s fine,” Dr. Jameson reiterated. “We have a 24-hour hotline. You don’t have to have an emergency to call in. We have nurses, doulas, midwives who are there to help answer any questions you may have and hopefully ally any fears or concerns that may come up.”
“That’s good to know,” Cairo answered.
“Well, Mr. and Mrs. Ali, if there’s nothing else?”
There wasn’t. Dr. Jameson stood up.
“It has been a pleasure to meet all three of you.”
They watched as the doctor left the room. Israel turned to his wife and helped her to sit up.
“I like her,” Cairo uttered as she stood to her feet.
“I do, too,” Israel agreed.
“Then, it’s settled.”
Chapter Twenty-Three
Four Months Later
It was a celebration!
Soon to be grandparents, Omar and Aziza were the gracious hosts of Cairo and Israel’s baby shower. All the family was there, and Catherine and Neil were just as excited as the Ali’s that soon they would have their first grandchild to welcome into their lives.
Right after the sonogram, Israel and Cairo flew to Sacramento to tell her parents. But they didn’t just tell them. Instead, Cairo presented her parents with a gift box.
“But it’s not a holiday,” Catherine replied, accepting the surprise gift.
“Nor a birthday nor our anniversary,” Neil chimed in, curious as to why they were receiving a present.
“Just open it,” Cairo encouraged.
The couple acquiesced, with Catherine removing the wrapping paper and Neil diligently taking it to throw it away. There was a closed box inside that Catherine had to open. She still had questions as to why but continued in opening the box. Neil took the top and sat it to the side. Catherine folded back the tissue paper. Immediately her eyes widened, and she looked at her daughter. Cairo nodded her head, smilingly. Catherine’s eyes traveled from her daughter to her husband, who had the same kind of wide-eyed look on his face.
“What is it,” Yusef asked, feeling like he was the only one in the room without a clue.
“Oh, Cairo,” Catherine sighed as she reached into the box and lifted up a baby’s bib.
“It says, Nana and Papa, love me best.”
Catherine was crying, which made Cairo cry. She had been extremely emotional as of late.
“We didn’t forget about you, bro,” Israel said to Yusef, handing him a gift bag of his own.
Yusef reached into the bag and pulled out a baseball cap that read Unc.
“That’s what’s up,” Yusef grinned. “I’m gonna be an uncle, man. That’s what’s up.”
Israel’s family was told the good news in much the same way during one of the family’s Sunday dinners. But instead of individual gifts, dessert was how they found out with cupcakes.
“What does this mean,” Omar asked, curious as to why the kitchen had not fulfilled their promise of fixing one of his favorite desserts.
Everyone at the table was curious until they peeled back the wrapping cups revealing the colors of the cake.
“Pink and blue,” Aziza mused aloud. Her eyes trailed around the table, landing first with O’Shea and Charity, then to Basel and Aya. They looked as confused as she felt. Yet, when her eyes landed on Israel and Cairo, the smiles on their faces told Aziza everything she needed to know.
“I still don’t understand. Where is my peach cobbler,” Omar fussed.
“Honey,” Aziza said, taking his hand that was resting on the table. “Cairo and Israel are blessing us.”
Omar looked at the cupcakes again, really looked at them after hearing what his wife said. When his eyes lifted to his wife and then to his son and daughter in love, the change in Omar’s expression said he understood.
“Grandpa?”
“Yeah, dad,” Israel beamed. “You’re gonna be a grandpa.”
Omar’s entire face lit up. He reached over and kissed Aziza fully on the lips before bounding from his chair and with long strides, getting to his son. Israel stood up and moved in his father’s direction
“My boy,” Omar exclaimed as he pulled Israel into a hug that said more than his words ever could. He was so overjoyed, Omar kissed his son on the cheek and then made sure to give Cairo the biggest hug and kiss, too. Aziza was speechless. All she could do was smile. She was going to be a grandmother, and she couldn’t be happier. The entire family was, and there were congratulations, high fives, tears, and cheers that lasted long after the announcement was made.
Fast forward four months, and the families’ excitement had not dulled.
“Be careful, babe,” Israel cautioned as he helped her to the seat of honor. It goes without saying that Omar and Aziza did not skimp when it came to their first grandchild’s baby shower. They flew Cairo’s family in on their private jet and had guests’ suites in their home prepared for Yusef, Catherine, and Neil to stay as long as they liked.
“Time for gifts,” Charity announced.
She, along with Aya and all the Moore sisters, helped Aziza with the planning of the party. Kennedy and Paula catered the food, and the Moore girls helped with the invitations and decorations.
There were two chairs designated for Cairo and Israel in the family’s banquet room where the party was held. The high back chairs were fit for a king and queen. At their feet were rows upon rows of gifts.
All the Moore sisters were helpful in getting the packages to Cairo to open, logging the gifts for thank you cards, and organizing the baby’s gifts for ease of transport. By the time Cairo was finished with most of the gifts, the baby had an extensive wardrobe, every kind of educational toy imaginable that would take the baby well into childhood, a fully decorated baby room, and a host of other gifts including memory books, a cam recorder so neither of the grandparents had to miss a single special moment and a litany of stuffed animals representative of nearly every four-legged and winged creature known to man.
“This one is from your parents,” Aya said as she handed Cairo a gift bag.
“Thanks, mom, thanks, dad,” Cairo smiled.
“Anything for our grand,” Catherine said, making sure to look to the Ali’s and including them in the reference.
Israel picked up the bag and lifted it to Cairo. With the swell of her belly, he didn’t want her having to bend over unnecessarily.
“Let’s see here,” Cairo smiled as she reached in the bag. She pulled out an envelope that she gave to her husband, and then something fluffy.
“Patches,” Cairo exclaimed, releasing the bag
, and pulling the teddy bear in close.
“That was Cairo’s when she was young,” Catherine explained.
“Where in the world did you find him,” Cairo asked, her smile beaming as she hugged the bear close to her.
“I tucked him away when you stopped sleeping with him,” Catherine smiled.
For Cairo, it was the best possible gift- a connection to her past for her baby to share.
As Cairo held on to Patches, Israel opened the envelope.
“Mr. and Mrs. Davis, this is extremely generous, thank you.”
“Absolutely,” Mr. Davis answered.
“What is it, babe,” Cairo asked curiously.
“It’s a savings bond for $10,000.”
“Wow, mom, dad,” Cairo sang.
“As I said, anything for our grandbaby,” Catherine gushed.
“Thank you,” Cairo mouthed.
“And last but certainly not least, this one is from Mr. And Mrs. Ali.”
Aziza clasped her hands together, hoping that her son and daughter in love would like the gifts. As he had done before, Israel made sure to pick up the gift and place it in Cairo’s lap so it would be easy for her. In the gift bag were two envelopes. Israel took one, and Cairo took one.
“You go first, babe,” Cairo said, feeling the baby move in a big way. She closed her eyes momentarily and, with her free hand, rubbed her stomach, hoping to settle the little one down.
Israel opened his envelope and then unfolded the document that was inside. His eyes scanned the paper, then slowly trailed to his parents. He shook his head as a slight smile turned the corners of his lips into a smile.
“What does it say,” Cairo asked as she continued to assuage her belly.
“Mom and dad gave our baby 100,000 shares of stock in Ali International.”
Cairo’s mouth fell ajar. “Are you kidding me right now?”
“It’s the least we can do for giving us such a remarkable gift,” Omar replied.
Cairo and Israel thanked his parents again as she opened the card in her hand. Again, there was a document that needed to be unfolded and read. Cairo had to read it twice to make sure she understood. And then her brow furrowed before her eyes misted over with tears. She blinked them back as best she could and then read aloud:
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