More than Expected

Part 29

* I would just like to note that there is a bit of a time jump between the last chapter and this chapter *
August 12, 2013
32 weeks 0 days
"Katie, do you want a heating pad?" Johanna asks her daughter as she's hunched over the couch. The Braxton Hicks contractions started about two weeks ago and they were so bad that Johanna rushed her to the doctor while Kate was in tears over the fact that her baby would be coming early and Rick wouldn't be here for their birth. But, the doctor assured her they were just some practice contractions.
Kate stands up straight and takes a deep breath, "No. Let's just go to the appointment." She says. Johanna kisses Jim's cheek before helping Kate get in the car before driving her to her doctor's office. They check-in and wait for about fifteen minutes before Kate is called back. Johanna accompanies her daughter to the exam room. After her weight and blood pressure are recorded, the two are left alone in the exam room. Kate's hands fall to her bump as she feels the baby kick inside of her, "Are they moving?" Johanna asks and Kate nods her head.
After gaining her daughter's approval, Johanna places her hand on Kate's bump and feels her grandchild move around. "I wish Rick could feel them move around." Kate says. Johanna rubs her daughter's back as tears fill her eyes, "I know, honey, but he's going to be here for the important things like their first words and first steps." Johanna says, "I don't know that. I'm signing up for a life of uncertainty." Kate says. Johanna looks at her daughter quizzically, "Are you having second thoughts?" Johanna asks, "What? No. I love Rick and I love this little one." Kate argues.
"It just makes me anxious." She explains. Johanna nods, "It is, bug, but you and Rick just have to remember to lean on each other and also remember that you have your dad and Martha and me. You're not doing anything alone." Johanna says. Kate nods and smiles. There is a knock on the door and Dr. Bells walks in, "Hello. Kate, how are you? Still experiencing Braxton Hicks?" She asks and Kate nods, "Oh yeah." She says as she lays on her back and lifts her shirt over her bump, "Well, those will be happening for a couple more weeks."
The doctor feels around her bump, "Good news is, I think your little one is heads down." Dr. Bells says. She pulls the ultrasound machine over and squirts some gel onto her stomach before moving the transducer around. Kate watches the screen before her baby appears, "Yep, the little one is head's down. There is the little nose and lips. That little stuff on the head is hair. The spine and hands. Looks like five fingers on each hand. Now, Kate, if you want to look away I'm going to look at the sex." Dr. Bells instructs the teen.
Kate turns away and notices Johanna look away as well, "Mom, you can look if you want." Kate says, "No, you and Rick should be the first to know." Johanna says, "No, look, it's okay." Kate says. Johanna smiles and looks at the screen and Kate witnesses her jaw drop. "Okay, Kate, I'm just going to listen to the heartbeat and then you'll be good to go. I'll print off the profile sonograms, I'll do two sets so that you can send one to Rick." Dr. Bells says. Her baby's heartbeat brings tears to her eyes like it normally does.
Once the appointment is over, they head home and Kate puts together a letter to send to Rick with the sonograms of their baby:
Dear Rick,
Hi babe. I went and saw our little one today. Baby is heads down! I keep having Braxton Hicks and I'm hoping they don't decide to make their grand debut before you come home. My mom knows the gender, I let her look. I feel it was appropriate since she's kind of been our number one supporter since the beginning. I can't wait to see you again and kiss you and hold you. I love and miss you. We love and miss you. Always.
Xoxo
Love,
Kate + Baby
She seals the letter and puts a stamp on it before sending it out. She then goes upstairs and lays down, counting the days until her boyfriend and father of her child is home.
Part 29! So Johanna knows the gender! I figured it would be right that she knows since she's been there for these two kids since the beginning! Let me know what you think!