Forever Yours: How it all Began

Chapter 59

Our month long vacation to Europe was magical. From a hot air balloon ride over Cappadocia's landscape to watching the stunning sunsets, and spending several days confined to our suite making sweet love, Dre and I thoroughly enjoyed every second. We even discussed taking a month long vacation every year.

Dre and I were like rabbits. I thought for sure I'd be pregnant, but after a year of being married, it still hadn't happened. I stopped taking birth control pills the night before we got married. Even though it bothered me a little, Dre assured me that it would happen when it was time. We were both very busy so I guess it's for the best. Being the wife of an NFL player, CEO of my own business, a volleyball coach, daughter, friend and mentor kept me busy. I proudly wear many hats.

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It's finally the off season, however Dre is busy as ever. He started a non-profit that allows alumni football players to mentor college players, especially those with the potential to further their career in the NFL. Dre said it's so easy to get lost and go down the wrong path when the guys are young and making the kind of money they get from their contracts and endorsements. Some young players can easily be persuaded to do something that could negatively affect them emotionally, physically and financially, so it's important to talk with the guys early.

For the past few weeks, I've been really tired, barely any energy. My doctor had taken me off of the B12s and iron pills during my last visit. He said my levels were good so there was no need to continue taking the supplements. When I started feeling tired again, I just figured my levels were out of sorts, so I scheduled an appointment to have some lab work done.

Today is the follow up for the results. Dre wanted to be with me, but I told him there was no need to change his plans because it was most likely my levels were low again. The doctor finally entered.

"Mrs. Hassan. How are you doing? It's been six months since we last saw one another. Your levels were very good."

I told the doctor what I was experiencing. He asked me when I last had a menstrual cycle. I told him the time frame. He looked at me with a smile.

"Mrs. Hassan, do you remember the plan we discussed that you would need to follow if you were to get pregnant?" I nodded my head yes.

"Congratulations are in order. You are pregnant!"

I can't believe what I just heard him say. I'm pregnant!

"I'm going to do an ultrasound to help confirm how far along you are as well as the due date." 

Before the doctor left the room, he instructed me to remove my clothing from the waist up and put on a paper type shirt. As I was slipping on the paper shirt, I thought about how I wished Dre was here. I've got to make the announcement special for him since he's not here with me. Finally the doctor returned to start the ultrasound.

"Mrs. Hassan, this gel is going to be really cold. I'm going to be moving this wand around to take measurements. If at any time you feel uncomfortable, please let me or the nurse know."

I said ok and just as the doctor said, the gel was really cold. Within minutes, the doctor had the measurements of my little bean. He advised me that according to the measurements and the last date of my cycle, I was approximately seven to eight weeks pregnant. My expected due date would be March 31st of next year. This will be perfect because Dre would be around for the birth of his first born.

The nurse wiped off the gel and she and the doctor left the room so I could get dressed. I finished cleaning the gel off of me and put my shirt back on. Before leaving, I was given a prescription for prenatal vitamins and instructed to eat 3 meals and 2 mini meals a day. Since I work out, the doctor wanted me to consume at least 2200 calories a day of healthy foods to maintain proper weight gain.

I called Darah to let her know I wouldn't be coming into the office and to make sure she was ok with hosting our calls. My first stop was the mall. I went straight to the T-shirt store and purchased a onesie and regular size shirt. They also specialize in placing graphics of your choice on the shirts. On the regular shirt, I had them to print Loading....and the onesie printed Baby Hassan.

On my way home, I stopped by the grocery store to pick up some Welch's sparkling water. Not feeling like cooking, I picked up some lasagna, breadsticks and salad from my favorite Italian restaurant. I called Dre to see how much longer he would be out. Before he would answer my question, he wanted to know the results of my bloodwork. I told him it was the same issue with my levels but let him know I had a prescription to start taking. He then told me he was wrapping up his sessions and would be home within an hour. That would give me time to set up.

Dre was finally home. I had our meal set out on the dining room table along with the sparkling water chilling in a wine holder. I placed the shirt and onesie under the covers on his side of the bed. When he walked in, I was standing by the kitchen island. He walked straight to me, planting a tender kiss on my lips and wrapping me in his arms. I asked him about his day. He told me about his sessions and was excited about the progress they were making with several of the players. I told him that I was happy things were going well and that he had a good day.

Heading into the dining room, Dre pulled out my chair for me to sit. He always sat at the head of the table and I sat to his right. I fixed our plates and poured us a glass of sparkling water. He raised his brow at me.

"What's with the sparkling water?"

I told him nothing in particular, just wanted some to drink. We sat in silence eating our dinner. I looked at him.

"Dre, do you know how much I love you?"

"I think I do, but you can show me to help confirm what I think."

I just giggled at him. This is deja vu. The last time we had this exact conversation, I ended up on the balcony giving my man a little entertainment.

"Will you help me clean the kitchen?" Of course he said yes.

I needed to keep him downstairs with me, not wanting him to see the shirts without me being present. Once we were done cleaning the kitchen, Dre asked if I was ready to show him just how much I loved him. Yes, I'm ready indeed. He grabbed my hand and led me to our room. When we entered our room, he walked to the bed.

Before we could get too hot and bothered, I wanted to make sure Dre saw his surprise, so I kissed him and told him to pull the covers. He was holding my hand as he pulled the covers back. Just as he was about to sit and pull me on top of him, he jumped back up and looked at the shirts. "Loading, baby Hassan. Loading, baby Hassan." Then it finally registered to him what he was saying. "Loading, baby Hassan! Tee, are you serious? We are expecting a little one. I'm going to be a daddy! I'm going to be a DADDY!"

He grabbed me up, placing kisses all over my face.

"Baby I'm going to be a daddy! You're going to be a mommy!"

I just shook my head and laughed at my husband. He was so excited and that made me so happy. He sat on the bed, picked up the shirt and onesie and studied them, not saying a word. He finally looked at me. "Come here."

He placed the shirts on the nightstand and sat with his back against the headboard. I sat straddling his legs. Looking one another in the eyes, he told me how happy he felt. I told him our little bean is expected to arrive on March 31st. He said he wanted to share the news with our family and friends at the same time. I was ok with that, but wanted to wait until my second trimester. Dre agreed that we'd wait, but said it was going to be hard not sharing the news right away. I told him I was glad to be having the baby during the off season so there wouldn't be a chance of him missing the birth and he'd get to spend the first four months with the baby without interruptions. This is the second most happiest moment of our lives. We're going to be parents in seven months.