Page 96 of Pinch

Gavin

“What are you looking at?” Haddy leans her head on my shoulder.

I kiss her forehead then turn the screen for her to see. We’re sitting in the waiting room of New Beginnings Birthing Center, and I’m scrolling through pictures on my phone of the two of us at the gala.

The photographers picked up on our personal theme right away, and they had a lot of fun with us being Han and Leia. Some enterprising reporter even put together that Haddy was the same girl I caught falling off the welcome back float last October. Those headlines were a lot of fun.

WHITE KNIGHT IS THE REAL HAN SOLO!!!!

“I love those pictures,” she smiles.

Her pretty sapphire eyes meet mine, and my stomach twists. Leaning down, I plant a kiss right on her mouth.

Haddy was actually glad they figured out she’s an International Princess Woman, because she said she can use the gala as her community outreach this quarter, which shesaid she completely forgot. I don’t blame her. We’ve got a lot on our minds.

These past few weeks have been really great around the house. Being out to Gigi and Mav, has taken a lot of pressure off us. It’s really cool to be able to pull her in for a kiss without having to make sure nobody’s about to walk in the room or pop out from behind a corner.

Still, we try to keep the PDAs to a minimum out of respect, and I’ve quietly been looking for our own place. I don’t know how Haddy will feel about leaving her cousins, but I think once the baby comes, we’ll need it. Still, I’m checking for something in the neighborhood.

I’ve returned to sleeping in her bed, spooning her body with mine and placing my palm over her stomach, not wanting to miss a single kick from our baby. It’s fucking amazing this little being is already making his or her presence known.

It makes me think of some of the more outgoing members of both our families. Is it possible those personalities start so early?

What’s even better is she’s starting to show. In the mornings, she’ll climb out of bed to use the bathroom, and when she comes back sometimes her sleep shirt is hitched up over her bump. When that happens, I always have to sit up and pull her to me, kiss our little sweet potato good morning.

Only one thing could make me happier. I’ve been thinking about it a lot—every time I catch her smiling at me, every time I see her in the stands dancing and cheering in my jersey. I have images saved on my phone, and I’ve even planned out how I’ll do it…

“Bradford-Knight?” The familiar nurse holds out her hand, and we both stand, following her through the doors to the check-in area.

Haddy is weighed, measured, we go to a treatment room, and Dr. Barry pops in with her usual smiling, jokey manner.

“How’s it growing?” She gives Haddy a wink.

“So far, so good.” Haddy’s eyebrows rise as she looks down at her midsection. “I think the baby’s finally sticking out some.”

“It’s usually that way in first pregnancies.” Dr. B squirts the blue goo on Haddy’s stomach. “You get thicker and thicker, then all of a sudden, Pop! There it is.” She taps on screen of the iPad she’s holding. “Your measurements are good; all the tests came back negative. Ready to see what’s cooking?”

We both answer yes at the same time, and I lean forward to take Haddy’s hand. Today’s the day. We’re having the ultrasound where we find out if it’s a boy or a girl. I’ll be glad with either, but I still hope it’s a little princess just like her mama.

She’s reclining in the chair, and I can feel the tension in her muscles as well. We’re both excited for the big reveal.

“Keep in mind, if we don’t see anything, that doesn’t mean it’s a boy. Sometimes those little guys like to hide their junk. Still, with the 3D ultrasound, we’ve gotten a lot more accurate.”

Haddy and I exchange a glance, and she asks quietly. “Can we check again if you’re not sure?”

“Definitely!” Dr. Barry reaches out to give her forearm a squeeze. “Wouldn’t want you to buy a bunch of baby dolls for a little guy.” She hesitates, arching an eyebrow. “Although it might not hurt him to have one, am I right?”

My chin drops, and I exhale a laugh. “You might be onto something, Doc.”

“I think it’s good for little boys to know how to care forbabies.” Haddy’s voice is small. “But Gav is doing really well, and I don’t think you had any practice.”

She wrinkles her nose at me, and I lean forward to kiss her cheek. “I’m a fast learner.”

“Well, let’s see what we can see,” the doctor says.

We watch as Dr Barry moves the wand around Haddy’s stomach. It is impressive how clear we can see the baby’s features in 3D.

All of our eyes are fixed on the screen as she focuses on the leg area. “That’s its little butt…” She uses the wand to push gently. “Come on, baby, spread ‘em.”