Breathe, A.Somers [notion reading list TXT] 📗

Chapter 5—

When Brad left, my mother was cooking my favorite dinner- Creamy Chicken Alfredo. My mother has always been a good cook. She’s half Italian, so I grew up loving Italian foods that she cooked regularly. “This is very good, Jen,” Mike commented as soon as he swallowed his last bite. I shook my head in agreement, and my mom smile. “Mom, Brad and Nicole are coming with me to the doctor’s office on Friday. And, today, Brad and I looked up some things about newborns, and ordered some books on my card.” My mom smiled, “Good. You kids need to start getting ready for the little one. It’ll be here before you know it.” She gave a reassuring smile, and collected our dishes, going to the sink to rinse them and put them in the dishwasher. “The doctor says that this may be when we find out the gender.” I mumbled. My mom and Mike smiled at me. “Send us a picture as soon as you leave,” Mike said. I nodded and got up to help my mom clean up. The rest of the night went slowly. I did my homework, found my pajamas, and climbed into the bed. I sighed, ready to fall completely asleep.

As soon as I did, my dream repeated itself from the night before. I awoke just as roughly. The day flew by just as it had done before. I became anxious for the doctor appointment coming on the next day. I went through the entire day in a daze, not focusing on anything but what was going to happen tomorrow. I wasn’t going to school at all that day. My appointment was at 9:30 in the morning, and I didn’t want to face the stares afterwards. I think I would be happy regardless of the turnout. I hadn’t given much thought to what I wanted. I mean, a girl would be nice, because I’d be able to understand her when she grew up. But if it were a boy, it would be a little easier for Brad to understand him. Either way, I’d love it. I also thought about what it would like. What if it looked like me, strongly? Or Brad? Maybe some of both, and our parents as well? I’ve always looked like my mom, but what if the baby looks like my dad? What would that look like? So many things ran through my head. I wasn’t afraid, but I was ready to meet my baby, unofficially. I mean of course I wouldn’t meet it really until it was born, but maybe we’d be able to see a little detail. My mind was racing all day to even concentrate on school, so I signed myself out and went shopping at Motherhood Maternity. My jeans were starting to get too tight, and my prettier shirts were all too tight. So, I figured I’d go to pick out a few things.

When I walked in, the saleswoman gave me a smile, and greeted me, making me aware of the current 60% off sale. I smiled and thanked her. I walked toward the back, where the jeans were located, trying to find something that would fit me for now. I found a few pairs, and some cute baby-doll t-shirts. I tried them on in the dressing room and walked to the front of the store to check out. The woman, named Valerie, smiled at me, looking down at my belly. “How far?” She asked. I smiled, “Five months.” I spoke softly with her for a few minutes, as she questioned me about my baby. She asked if it was a boy or girl, and I told her that I didn’t know yet. She asked if the father was around, I told her yes. She smiled at that. I guess not many fathers stick around at this age. She finished ringing up my clothes and put them in a bag as I swiped my card and signed. She told me to have a nice day, and I smiled and wished her the same. I got into my car, and drove home. As I pulled into the driveway, Brad texted me: Did you leave? I replied quickly: Yes. Are you coming over for a bit? A few minutes later, my phone vibrated: Be there in a minute. I sighed as I got out, locking my doors, and walking to the house. Mom and Mike were already home. “Hey there darling,” they called from the living room. “Hey,” I breathed. I smiled at them. There was a knock at the door, and I wobbled to answer it. I swung the door open, and there stood Brad and Nicole. I invited them in and we walked to the living room. Nicole greeted my mom and Mike with a smile, and Brad waved. We all went to my room, and I closed the door. I sat on my bed and Nicole and Brad sat in the rocking chairs parallel to the bed. “Are you excited yet?” Nicole smiled widely. I nodded. Grabbing the bag of clothes that I had just bought, I smiled at them. I tossed the bag at Nicole and she looked inside, pulling everything out one at a time. Brad laughed, “It’s cute babe.” I smiled at him and blushed. Nicole put everything in the bag, “Yes, very cute.” I walked over to the desk in the corner, and took my laptop back to the bed. Nicole and Brad came to sit next to me, one on each side. I pulled up Google, and searched questions to ask the doctor at a five month pregnancy check up. I skimmed the pages until I found one with the relevance. “Oh, you should ask about restrictions for you. They change as you get bigger,” Nicole said. “And what you can eat,” she added. I nodded. I skimmed the page, occasionally writing down good questions. I closed my laptop when I was finished, and walked downstairs. I went to my mom, and sat beside her. “Mom, can Nic and Brad stay tonight?” She looked at me, and sighed. “Of course, honey.” I smiled at her. “Ali?” I looked up to her, and her expression changed to a softer emotion. “What’s wrong Mom?” I was worried. What was wrong with her? Had I said something to upset her? “Will you promise to call me as soon as you find out? It would mean a lot to Mike and I since we can’t be there?” I smiled at my mom, hugged her tightly, and whispered “Yeah, of course Mom. I love you.” She kissed my forehead and rubbed my cheeks. “I love you too baby girl.”

Chapter 6—

We stayed up late tonight. Brad ran Nicole home, and went home himself to get clothes and stuff he’d need for tonight and tomorrow morning. He came back with a teddy bear and rose. I smiled at him, thanked him, and kissed him. When I was finally tired, we all changed our clothes. I pulled out the blow up bed, stored under my bed for sleepovers. I turned on the air pump and went into the closet to get the sheets, pillows, and comforter that goes on it. Nicole and I made the bed, meant for her to sleep on, and she kissed my forehead when we were done. She smile at me and told me good night. Brad and I climbed into my bed, snuggled together, and closed our eyes. Our breathing came to match as we both fell asleep. I slept peacefully tonight, and my dreams were pleasant. I was sitting on a blanket in the park with Brad, and our baby. The baby was snuggled tight into a blanket and its face was peaceful. It was sleeping. I smiled at my little baby, and reached for it. I picked it up and looked into its face, only I couldn’t see. It only looks like a doll from my childhood. I blurred out and woke up, warm next to Brad. I smiled as I realized that it was morning, and in just a few hours, I would get to see my baby.

I carefully rose from the bed, and went slowly to the bathroom. Surprisingly, I wasn’t nauseated. I brushed my teeth, and started the shower. I let the water run down on my back as I washed my hair, trying to loosen the nervous knots formed in my shoulders. When I finished, I dried quickly. I put my bra and panties on, and began to dry my hair and straighten it. A soft knock came on the door that made me jump out of my skin. Nicole poked her sleepy eyes inside the door. “Good morning,” she said. I smiled, hugged her, and said the same. She took the straightener off of the sink and began to straighten the back of my hair. When she was done, she turned on the shower, and got in. I put on a little makeup and left, closing the door softly. I walked into the closet, grabbed some of the new jeans I had bought and a pretty pink baby-doll shirt with white hearts and floral tracings on it. Then I grabbed my sandy-colored Uggs. When I walked out, Brad was sitting up on my bed, barely awake. He smiled at me, and then I realized that I was still in my lingerie. I let out a quiet laugh, and walked over to kiss him. He put his hand on my belly, and the baby fluttered about. My smile spread wide across my face. I put on my clothes while he put on his. We went downstairs, and my mom was in the kitchen finishing breakfast. She had made cheesy scrambled eggs, bacon, blueberry muffins, and coffee. I smiled at her, wrapped my arms around her and hugged her tightly. She gave me three plates, and as she did Nicole bounced down the stairs. I gave them each a plate, and we all got food and sat to the table. We ate quietly, except for Nicole’s humming. I looked up to grin at her when I recognized the song she was humming. After breakfast, I got up to clean the kitchen for my mom. I rinsed the dished, put the food away, and loaded the dishwasher. When I was done, I went to go tell my mom and Mike goodbye, and we left for the doctor’s office.

It’s an hour drive both ways to the doctor. On the way, we listened to the radio, and talked about school. Every now and then, Nicole and I would sing the songs we knew and Brad would laugh.