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Gender is just a label

Chapter 8- Gender is just a label

3 months later...

Beatrice went to bring Eleanor some soup, since her morning sickness has seemed only to get worse. "Here, Oh be careful it's really hot." Eleanor sat it on her nightstand. "I don't know if i can eat it." "You will! Because you haven't eaten in 3 days!" Beatrice said crossing her arms. "I know but i feel so sick" "Maybe because you haven't eaten." Eleanor sighed. "I don't know...You'd think it would be better by now. Especially since I'm almost in the second trimester." "I hear some women are sick until the third." Eleanor took and pillow and shoved her face into it. "Die! DIE! DIE!" She muttered, Beatrice stole the pillow. "Stop silly." "This baby is going to kill me." Eleanor laughed. "You're so dramatic!" "You get pregnant and tell me that again!" Eleanor hit her with the pillow. "Maybe i will!" She said jumping onto the bed and hitting Eleanor with the pillow. "HAHA! I really doubt that." "Watch I'll go seduce a man!" Beatrice laughed. "Shut up." Eleanor said while she started sipping her soup. "Oh, This is good!" "Great! Now eat the whole bowl." Beatrice smiled. "I'll try." She took another sip. "If you don't finish it before it's cold I'll force feed you it, And a slice of bread." "whoa! whoa! Bread that's too much." Eleanor exclaimed. "That's why you should eat all of your soup.." Beatrice shook her head. "Ok! Ok!" "You know what! Let me have a chat with this kid." Beatrice said. "Ok, Don't make it mad!" Eleanor laughed. "Listen up baby! You better accept this soup and all the other food i offer. Because it doesn't grow on trees! I spend a good amount of time cooking these meals." Eleanor laughed at Beatrice. "I think the baby likes this soup!" "The baby didn't even bother trying the other ones." Bea shook her head. "Baby is stubborn." "just like it's mom!" Beatrice added. "Hey!" "It's the truth! Also you know if you feeling up to it...We should go figure out the baby's gender!" Beatrice suggested. "Oh my god!! We totally should."

Later that morning Eleanor had gotten out of bed and began choosing a dress. "Beatrice! Bea!!" "Yea, Ell?" Beatrice walked into her room and she was holding up two dresses. "Which do i wear?" "Umm, Eleanor...Would that little bump even fit in those?" "Oh...I don't know." "Try them." Eleanor slid on the yellow dress first. "This one feels a little tight." She said. "Alright try the green one." She slid it on, everything fit just perfectly. "Looks great! how's it feel?" "Perfect." "Ok let's get a midwife." Beatrice said as she headed out the front door.

A few minutes had passed then Beatrice came home with a Midwife. "Eleanor she can check the gender today!" Eleanor smiled. "So where do you want to do this?" The Midwife asked. "We can in my spear room, Follow me this way." They all went in the direction Eleanor led. "Ok let's get started." The Midwife said.

"You ready to know? Or would you like to wait?" She said. "I'm ready!" Beatrice grabbed Eleanor's hand. "It's..a..Girl!" "Yay! I'm so excited!" Eleanor smiled. "Imagine the little dresses." Beatrice said. "Aw..Also I'll be naming her Veronica for you!" Eleanor squeezed her hand. "Thank you!" The Midwife cleaned up everything and headed out.

"Gender is just a label

I just can't wait to be able

To hold her in my arms

And soak up every moment, Staple them into my mind like thorns

Fore the little one grows up

Maybe this could interrupt

But i trust the life process

So much i just might confess

My love for Beatrice to the world

Through a poem, Then i'd be sent to the underworld

Headless but Happy and Free

And with my love Bea"

"Jonathan!" Eleanor said walking into his office where he slept drunkenly. "Hm.." He said. "The baby is a girl!" "Oh could you keep it down, My head is killing me." He groaned. "That's not the only thing killing you." She snarled while leaving.

"He could care less..." Eleanor told Beatrice. "Damn he's really missing out on some golden moments of life." "Yea he is!!" Eleanor sighed. "Ell..I think you should just leave him before he hurts you anymore." Beatrice said. "I can't! My family hasn't come to town. And the baby isn't born, Everyone will call her a mistake." Eleanor said. "Well then wait.." "For?" Eleanor questioned. "Wait for him to die...Alcohol poisoning should set in soon!" Beatrice pointed out. "Alcohol poisoning...Oh my god! I forgot that existed." Eleanor said with a worried expression on her face. "Yea, and it'll get to him. pretty quick i assume. Because he's been drinking all day everyday for the last three months." Beatrice added. "Should i warn him?" Eleanor asked. "warn him if you'd like...But I'm sure he already knows." Beatrice said. "yea he does." Eleanor said walking off.

Knock! Knock! "Beatrice could you get the door." Eleanor said. "Yes." Beatrice opened the door and gasped. "Oh my god!! Charlotte, Juliet, And Charles..So nice to see you! Here follow me into the parlor." Beatrice settled the family in the parlor then sprinted up the stairs. "Eleanor! Your family is here." "Seriously!!" Eleanor sighed. "Yea! Come." They both walked into the parlor. "Oh my lovely daughter! It's so great to see your flesh again." Eleanor's father said kissing her cheek. "Great to see you." "So what was the exciting news you wanted to share with us?" Juliet appeared overly excited. "Ok everyone sit down!" They did as Eleanor asked. "I am pregnant." She smiled. Her sisters bounced up and started squealing. "We're gonna be Auntie's." Her father whispered to himself. "A grandchild." Eleanor's sister's hugged her and said. "We're so happy for you!" Charlotte pulled out of the hug and asked. "Where's Jonathan?" "Not home." Eleanor respond quickly but a few seconds after Jonathan can walking into the parlor. "I was called." He slurred. "John? I thought you weren't home." Eleanor played off her lie. "No silly wife! I've been home all day." "Oh you smell awful!" Juliet said. "He does! What have you been drinking?" Charlotte asked. "Happy juice." He said obnoxiously laughing. "He's drunk." Beatrice said pulling him out of the room. "DRUNK! Eleanor, didn't he promise you..." "Yea well he recently broke that promise." Eleanor rolled her eyes. "I'm sorry to hear that." "It's fine, You know typical Jonathan." Ell laughed.

Word count - 1,098