On Juliet's eighth birthday, the day after her parents took their Christmas break from work, the day that was supposed to be about her, turned into the day that she spoke to everyone about the baby.
Heather was nearing her maternity leave, Jake wanted her to take it as soon as her bump popped- she refused. She was five months along and he didn't stop worrying for a second. Heather found it both sweet and irritating.
"She knows today is about her, right?" Jake asked, wrapping an arm around his wife as he stood watching Juliet tell her grandparents all about the baby in 'mom's tummy' and how he kicked every two seconds.
Heather laughed softly, leaning into Jake's touch. This pregnancy was going a lot better than Juliet's so far. Heather had more energy and could do more now. By month four with Juliet, she had been so sick she could hardly leave the bed.
"I think it's sweet. At least we know she doesn't hate him," Heather replied, closing her eyes as Jake pressed a kiss to the top of her head, his free hand moving to the bump, smiling when his son kicked.
Watching her daughter and feeling Jake's hand on her bump, it suddenly dawned on Heather that she'd be a mother to two in a matter of months. Double the birthdays, Christmas joy and having cuddles from two kids rather than one. Then, she got emotional again.
"Stop crying," Jake said, not even having to look at his wife to know there were tears spilling down her cheeks as she turned to hide her face in his chest.
"Sorry," she whispered, clutching his tee shirt, "it just hit me that we'll have two soon,"
Jake smiled, rubbing her back while his parents took care of Juliet's candles, lighting them while everyone began to sing for the girl.
"Yeah, and a whole lot more love in this house," Jake said, kissing her lips and guiding her to the table to join their daughter.
Heather knew he was right, their hearts were about to double in size. And she couldn't wait for it.
***
Heather released a satisfied breath collapsing back against the pillows as Jake pulled out of her, sitting back against the headboard.
"Thanks for that," Heather smiled, still in a haze as she pushed herself up, sitting beside her husband. Their breathing still ragged, "all three of them,"
Jake chuckled, leaning over to kiss her. It had been awhile since they had been intimate. The first trimester had been hard for Heather, nausea, tiredness and her energy being completely zapped from her. He was glad she was perking back up.
"I was thinking about his name," Jake mumbled, moving again, he pulled her to rest in between his legs, her back pressed to his chest.
Heather smiled, enveloped by his warmth and relaxing into his arms, his hands coming to her bump.
"Mmmm, did you come up with a good one?" Heather asked, hands covering his as their baby boy moved again.
Jake hummed absentmindedly. He got flustered when he thought about his sons name and he wasn't sure why.
"No, well it's more his middle name," Jake admitted, a bashful smile on his face, "Would you be opposed to having my name as his middle name?"
