If Snowflakes Could Jangle

Chapter 5

MID-JUNE

"Hello Miss Ambroson, I'm Julia, your sonographer. Now, before we start, I have to ask you a few questions" she stopped, looked across at me and waited to make sure that I understood- I nodded confirmation

"So, have you or the baby's father got a history of heart disease, diabetes or other medical condition?"

"I'm all clear but I don't know about the baby's father. It only happened the one time and we weren't really together"

She ticked the boxes on the paper and then placed it back down

"Not to worry. Now if you could lift your top up"

I complied and felt the comforting presence of my mom as she came up beside me

"This might be a bit cold"

I squirmed as the gel hit my stomach and then watched the screen eagerly

"There's your little baby" she placed her finger on the screen as the room filled with the sound of a heart beating

"Is everything alright? There's nothing wrong is there?" I asked, keen for the answer but scared of what it might be

"Everything is perfectly normal. I can tell you the sex if you'd like"

I looked up at moms tear stained eyes, searching for advice

"It's up to you" she clarified

"Yes, I think I'd like to know"

"It's a girl"

My own silent tears had transformed into sobs of happiness

"A little girl. I'm going to have a daughter"

***

I sat at the table in the café, the scan picture of my little girl firmly in my hands as I studied it for what must have been the twentieth time that morning while I waited for mom to return from the shop- she was more excited about the prospect than I was

"Look at this, isn't the most adorable little dress ever?" mom held the clothes up as she entered the café and walked over to me

"Aww, that's cute" I answered

It was a plain white dress with a little pink polka dots and a matching pink overall that was sewn onto it

Mom sat down, opened up the bag and allowed to peer inside, there were at least three more dresses along with some teddy bears

"Mom!" I complained scornfully

"She's not due for another six months"

"You need to be prepared for babies Ember, you have no idea how much she will need all these things until she's here"

Mom placed the bag under the table just as the waiter came up beside us, notepad and pen poised

"Are you ladies ready to order?"

"I'll just have a cappuccino" I declared but mom's eyes looked over the edge of her glasses and she shook her head

"You need to eat in your condition"

She turned to the waiter

"She'll have a salad too and I'll have a black coffee with a cheese and ham sandwich"

The waiter wrote the order down and when he left, mom reached into her pocket

"Before I forget"