Beginnings of the Heart (12 page)

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“Are you two sure you want to know? The baby is cooperating, but I'm not saying a word until I know you are.” Dr. James said to us.

“We want to know.” I told her.

“Okay. Well, you are going to have what looks like a very healthy little girl.”

My eyes started to tear up, and I held Cole's hand even tighter in my own. By the time we made it to the truck we could barely contain our happiness. Cole leaned over and gave our baby girl a kiss. Our baby girl. It was almost too much to take in.

“I can't believe I'm going to get to spoil a little girl. My parents aren't going to believe this. My mom is going to go crazy with the shopping. She's been chomping at the bit to go and buy something, but I haven't let her because we didn't know. Are you happy? Tell me you're happy.” He beamed at me.

“I will tell you if you ever let me talk.” I giggled and ran my hands over my belly. “I'm happy. I can't wait.”

I looked at him and saw my excitement reflected in his face. I threw my arms around his neck and gave him a kiss I hoped expressed how happy I truly was. I felt Cole's in his kiss and before I wanted him to, he pulled away.

“How do you think my mom is going to react to this? I mean, do you think she'll freak out again?” I asked.

“I think she'll be okay.” Cole said. “There's something else I wanted to talk to you about. I want you to think about moving in with me after the baby is born. I don't need an answer now.” he said quickly when I opened my mouth to answer. “But you need to seriously think about it. I'm still not sure your house is the best place for you to be, especially with your mom acting like she is. I want you to have all the support you need after the baby is born, and I know you can get it if you are with me. Can you honestly tell me your house is the best place for you to be after the baby is born?” he asked.

“No I can't, but I'm also not ready to leave my home either. I feel like I've already caused enough trouble, and I really don't want to hear anything else from them right now. But before you start to try and convince me because I know what your end game is, let's just wait and see how everyone reacts to the news we are having a girl. Besides, you already told me you wanted me to think about it. Well, I will and I'll take my time.”

Cole growled in frustration and then through his clenched teeth said, “Fine, we'll wait and see what their reactions are to the news. I can't believe you're choosing this point to assert yourself on.”

“It's your own fault, you know.”

“How?” he asked hesitantly.

“You make me feel confident enough to stand up to anyone, even if it's you.” I smiled at him and then started to laugh when he growled again, but this time in defeat.

“I bet it isn't as bad as you think it will be.” I said.

“You know, after everything your mother has said and done, I'm not sure I have your confidence, but we'll do it your way. By the way, I want you to tell them when I'm there tonight.” Cole said.

“Why do you want me to wait? Are you going to try and push my mother over the edge again? I don't think it's a good idea.” I stared him down.

He looked at me from the corner of his eyes and then rolled them at me. “No I'm not going to try and do that. I want you to wait because I want to be there. Besides, it's Friday, I'm hoping they'll let me take you back to tell my parents as well. It's only fair they both find out on the same night.”

“Okay, I'll wait.” He pulled up out in front of my house. “Do you have to work for your dad today or are you off because of the appointment?”

“I said I'd be by after I dropped you off. He'll probably be waiting to hear how everything went, so… I have to get going.” He leaned over and gave me a kiss. “I'll see you later.”

“I'll be here. Love you.” I climbed out of the truck and waved as he drove away.

I went into my house and wished for about the thousandth time I could help out with the money aspect of everything. Cole was working six days a week for his dad and making really good money, but I felt like I was doing nothing. I still babysat for my neighbor's little boy, but it wasn't consistent and the other families I used to babysit for had stopped calling.

I had no illusions about why. In a town without a stoplight, the emergence of a pregnant sixteen-year-old is sensational even in this day and age. After everyone at school found out I was pregnant, it only took two more days for the rest of the town to become informed. I never realized how isolated the town was or how judgmental everyone could be until all of a sudden I was the center of attention.

I could understand my parents' embarrassment because I had heard the whispers about them as well. Things like how could they let me get pregnant, where were they when all of this was going on, how embarrassed they must be, and so on. It was a bunch of nonsense because I had made the mistake, not my parents.

“So did you find out what the baby is?” My sister pounced on me as I entered my bedroom. She was so excited she was hopping from one foot to the other as she dragged me over to my bed and forced me to sit down on the edge of it.

“Yes, we know, but you are going to have to wait to find out until Cole gets here a little later. I promised him I wouldn't tell anyone without him.”

“Can't you just tell me? I promise to act excited and not tell anyone. I won't even call anyone between now and the time Cole gets here. You know how hard it is for me. Please?” She drew the last word out.

“No. I can't tell you. But maybe if you guessed and then I either confirmed or denied your assumption, it wouldn't actually be telling you, right?”

“Nope
,
” she readily agreed.

“Girls, I'm home and you need to come into the kitchen and help with dinner.” My mother's voice interrupted us.

Samantha's face fell in defeat and I smiled. “I guess you'll have to wait until later.” I got up from my bed and started toward the door. “I didn't realize we had gotten back here so late. Do you think Mom will ask what the baby is or will the silent treatment continue?”

“I bet she waits for Dad to ask or for you and Cole to make some kind of announcement.” She quietly answered me.

I nodded my head in response as we both entered the kitchen to help get dinner ready. I actually liked this time of night. It was almost like it was before I became the family embarrassment, and sometimes I liked to think my mother forgot about it all. She would join in the conversation before she remembered to ignore me.

Dinner was almost ready when my father got home, and then we all sat down at the table to eat. There was the usual how-did-your-day-go conversation, and tonight was one of those nights I could tell my mother was trying extra hard to be normal.

Did she really want to know what the baby was? I hoped she would be happy for us someday and she would love her grandchild. I also hoped I wasn't setting myself up for a big disappointment.

We were just finishing dinner when the doorbell rang. Everyone looked around the table at everyone else. It was too early for Cole, and it didn't appear anyone else was expecting anyone.

“I'll see who it is. You all finish up.” My dad got up from the table and went to the front door.

We could hear my father's voice and his surprised greeting and a muffled response. Then footsteps coming toward the kitchen and my father came in first, followed by Cole.

My heart instantly started to race, and I could feel the smile on my face stretching wide. “Hey, I thought you wouldn't be here until later.”

“I decided to come straight from the site so you wouldn't have to sit on our news all night.” He leaned over and kissed me on the cheek.

“Okay, so he's here now and you can tell me what you're having.” My sister demanded.

I looked around the table and saw both my dad and Samantha were sitting in excited expectation and my mother's look was wary.

“As you all know we had our ultrasound today, and we found out what the baby is.” I reached over and took Cole's hand in mine under the table, and he put his arm around my shoulders. “We are going to have a girl.”

Samantha squealed and lunged out of her chair to hug me, my dad's face split into a huge smile, and my mother's expression surprised me. She looked… happy. I got caught up in the happiness at the table, and it had been so long since it had occurred I let it happen and tried not to analyze it.

“Wow, a little girl. I'm going to have a granddaughter.” My father sounded amazed.

“I was hoping I could take Morgan home with me so we could tell my parents tonight.” Cole interjected into the excited talk.

“Of course. Tell your parents we said hello.” My father agreeably stated, and I saw my mother nod her head.

“Thanks. I'll have her home by eleven.” Cole said.

Cole stood pulled me up beside him. I smiled at my sister, who had tears in her eyes, and then we said our goodbyes and headed out the door.

I wrapped my arms around his waist as we walked to his truck. I was still buoyed by how well this announcement had been received by my family. I couldn't help but hope this might mark a turning point for my mother and me.

“Well, it went better than I thought it might. What do you think, Morgan? Did it go as well as you hoped?” Cole asked once we were both in the truck

“I'm actually very happy with how it all went. Dad and Samantha were really happy. I was a little surprised to see Mom smile.” I answered, thinking back over the reactions around the table.

“I saw.”

I looked over at Cole and his look of concentration. “So, why did you really come by so early?”

He smiled a sheepish grin. “I thought if I came directly from work without cleaning up or eating I could guilt your parents into letting you come home with me even if they didn't want you to. I didn't really plan on them being so agreeable. Are you complaining, because I could take you back?”

I playfully slapped at him. “No, I'm not complaining, I was just wondering. How did your dad react when you wouldn't tell him what we're having? Or did you tell him.” I narrowed my eyes at him.

“No, I didn't tell him. I did say we were going to come by tonight and tell them together. He suggested I come and get you early. Although they are still disappointed in me, they are allowing themselves to get a little bit excited about the baby.” He smiled over at me.

We pulled up at his house, and he practically leapt out of the truck and ran around to open my door. I just shook my head at him. The bigger I got, the more courteous he became. It was driving me nuts.

The door opened before we got to it, and there stood both of his parents looking very excited.

“So what's the baby?” his mother asked.

“Do we get to come in first or is the sex of the baby like a password?” Cole asked dryly.

His mom rolled her eyes at him and then stepped out of the doorway, but she didn't go far. They were both still waiting expectantly as we came through the door and Cole took his boots off.

I nudged Cole in the side when he stood up to move him along. His parents were losing their patience, and his mother was looking decidedly murderous. I elbowed him again, and he finally relented.

“Well, the baby was cooperative which I'm sure will be the last time, and the doctor was able to tell us we are going to have a little girl.” He smiled.

His mother squealed and hugged us both at the same time. His father was a little more reserved, but no less happy as he clapped Cole on the shoulder.

“I can't wait to go shopping! I've already gotten a few things, but they are items any baby needs.” Cecelia announced.

“Mom, don't go overboard or anything. I know you're excited to go out and buy the baby things, but it isn't necessary.” Cole said.

“I know, but are you going to deny me the opportunity to spoil my own grandchild?” Cecelia fired back.

“No, and the guilt trip was unnecessary. I'm going to go shower
, and then I need to get something to eat. Why don't you talk with Morgan about what she wants to get for the baby? I'll be back down soon.” He bent and gave me a kiss and then ran up the stairs.

His mom launched into a list of items she felt was needed. I hadn't even heard of half of them, and then she pulled out the magazines. She must have been buying them from the moment she found out we were going to have a baby. We were flipping through them looking at nurseries, outfits, and accessories I was sure we didn't actually need, and a thousand other things.

Cole came back down the stairs and shook his head. “I should have warned you my mom was a little more than just excited about the baby. I know you already ate, but do you need anything else? I'm going to go get something to eat.”

I shook my head at him and kept looking at the pictures Cecelia continued to point out in the current magazine open in front of us.

“Cole, there is a plate on the counter for you. Just warm it up in the microwave. Your father and I already ate while we were waiting for you to get back.” Cecelia said without looking up from the magazine on her lap.

Cole rolled his eyes and went into the kitchen. I could hear the beeping from the buttons on the microwave. A few minutes later he was back and sat down on the other side of me.

“Have you thought about what colors you would like for a nursery yet?” Cecelia asked.

“Not really. The baby will be in my room at home so I never thought about it much.”

“Well, if you were able to plan a nursery what would you do? I mean you must have thought about it a little.” She smiled at me.

“I umm… did think about it a little bit. I thought a light sage green and lavender room would be really pretty, maybe even soothing, but it isn't going to happen so…” I left the rest unsaid.

They didn't need to know I had lay in bed and thought about the perfect nursery for more nights than I liked to think about and then cried because I knew I would never have it. I tried not to think about all my baby wouldn't have because she was going to have an unwed teen mother. I preferred to think about all she would have. A loving mom and dad as well as grandparents who would adore her.

“Well, there is nothing wrong with thinking about things. Maybe I can find the baby a green and lavender outfit she can wear. Speaking of which, have you bought the baby anything yet?” Cecelia moved on, thankfully.

“Mom, we just found out today it was a girl. We haven't had a lot of time to go shopping in the thirty minutes we've had together.”

“Well, have you at least talked about names yet?” She looked at both of our faces and let out an exasperated sigh. “You haven't even talked about names! What am I going to do with the two of you?”

“Again, Mom, we just found out. When were we going to talk about names?” Cole asked.

“I've actually thought about it. I have a few I like, but I didn't want to bring it up until we knew whether it was a boy or a girl.” I looked over at Cole and smiled.

“Well, what are they?” he asked.

“I like Abigail, Victoria, and Grace. I had boy names picked out too just in case.” I said and looked back at Cole's mom.

“Those are very pretty names. Where did you come up with them? I don't mean to be nosy, but they are more old-fashioned than I expected. I thought you would have picked something more modern.” Cecelia said.

“I've always liked old names. They are more meaningful somehow than some fad name no one will understand. Besides, they aren't really popular, so there won't be five little girls with the same name in her class.” I answered and then looked at Cole to gage his reaction to the names I had been thinking of.

He had a small smile on his face, making me smile in response.

“I like those names. Which one is your favorite?” he asked.

I thought for a moment and then said, “I really like Victoria. I don't know why, but it just seems to… fit.”

“I like it too. It was my favorite when you told us the names. So are we naming our baby or do you need more time to think about it? If you need the time or you might change your mind, say so now because I'm going to start thinking of her as Victoria.” he said with a big grin.

“No, I don't need any more time to think about it. She's definitely a Victoria.”

Cole put his plate on the coffee table and leaned over my belly, put his hands on it, and started to talk to the baby. “Hello baby. Did you know your name was Victoria? Did you?”

He was rewarded with a kick, and then he laughed and she kicked some more. I looked up and saw a wistful expression on Cecelia's face.

“Would you like to feel her kick? Apparently she likes her name, or maybe she's trying to voice her displeasure.”

“Oh, if you wouldn't mind, I would love to feel her.”