MINEFIELDS • michael b jordan

GENDER REVEAL PARTY

CHAPTER SEVEN
GENDER REVEAL PARTY

Manoucheca had always imagined that pregnancy would be a beautiful, glowing experience. She had heard the stories from other women—the excitement of carrying new life, the connection with the babies, the beautiful glow that everyone raved about.

But as she made it through the first trimester, she quickly realized that pregnancy was far more complicated than the Instagram-worthy images portrayed.

By the time she was fifteen weeks along, Manoucheca had learned that normal tasks, things she once did without thinking, now felt like monumental achievements. Walking up the stairs to her office felt like running a marathon, and even just sitting down for a meal would leave her breathless. Shortness of breath, an unexpected companion, would strike at any moment, and the exhaustion she felt was unlike anything she had ever experienced before. As she moved into the second trimester, her body was changing in ways she hadn't fully anticipated.

She was also using the bathroom more frequently than she had ever thought possible. It was as if her bladder had shrunk to the size of a walnut. Every couple of hours, she'd find herself racing to the bathroom, and each time, she swore she couldn't possibly need to go again, only to feel the pressure build once more.

The weight of the situation—the reality of two babies growing inside her—was beginning to settle in. In the past few weeks, Manoucheca had learned to just take it easy, go with the flow, and appreciate the little things: the kicks, the way her stomach was starting to round, and the knowledge that her twins were growing big and healthy. The early days of discomfort and worry were behind her, and now, it was about embracing the changes and finding peace in the process.

Michael, of course, had taken to his role like a fish to water. Where Manoucheca felt overwhelmed and a bit lost at times, Michael was calm and composed, diving headfirst into all things pregnancy and parenthood. He had read every baby book he could find, from "What to Expect When You're Expecting" to more specialized books on twins and parenting multiples.

He even started listening to podcasts on prenatal care, birth plans, and child development. If there was one thing Michael was good at, it was researching and preparing. Manoucheca admired his dedication but also teased him relentlessly for how seriously he took his role as a future father.

"Mike, we still have plenty of time before they arrive," she would joke, watching him jot down notes on things like "best diaper brands" and "how to swaddle a newborn."

But Michael always just grinned back, his enthusiasm infectious. "I want to be ready. I'm going to be the best damn dad ever."

Robyn had warned her that the second trimester would be the easiest, and Manoucheca was finally starting to see what she meant. The nausea from the first trimester had passed, and she could finally eat without feeling sick afterward. The exhaustion that had dragged her down seemed to lift, though it was still there in moments. Now, at fifteen weeks, she felt a small surge of energy returning. She was still learning how to manage the changes in her body, but at least the constant fatigue had given way to a more balanced rhythm.

That said, pregnancy had come with its own set of quirky challenges. One of the most annoying side effects for Manoucheca had been her stuffy nose. It wasn't just a minor inconvenience—it was constant and overwhelming, a symptom of the hormonal changes and increased blood flow that were part of the pregnancy process. Michael chalked it up to the combined effects of the pregnancy, which were taking a toll on her mucous membranes. She had learned to carry a pack of tissues with her at all times, and nothing seemed to provide lasting relief.

In an effort to help, Michael had brought home a humidifier and a vaporizer for their bedroom, hoping to ease her breathing at night. Manoucheca had to prop herself up with extra pillows when she slept, something she initially found uncomfortable but eventually adapted to. As annoying as it was, it wasn't the worst thing she could be dealing with. The upside, Michael reminded her, was that the babies were healthy and growing well.

On top of the stuffy nose, there were the nosebleeds. It wasn't something she had expected, but her body was producing so much blood now that her blood vessels in her nose had expanded. It was a reminder of how much her body was changing, how much it was doing to prepare for two little ones. Tissues were now an essential part of her daily life, and Michael, ever the attentive partner, would remind her to keep hydrated and rest as much as possible to prevent further bleeding.

Even with all the challenges, something else had returned: her sex drive. She hadn't expected it, especially after the rollercoaster ride of the first trimester, but now, as her body adjusted, her hormones seemed to be in overdrive. She and Michael found a new level of intimacy as they navigated the changes together, exploring the deeper connection that came with the pregnancy.

But that day was different. Today wasn't about hormones or nosebleeds or stuffy noses—it was about celebrating the pregnancy, sharing their joy with their friends and family. They had decided it was time to announce the pregnancy publicly and reveal the genders of their twins in a special way. Since Manoucheca had to return to filming for her talk show soon, they figured it would be the perfect moment to make everything official.

Michael had insisted on taking the lead when it came to the gender reveal. At first, Manoucheca had been hesitant. She had considered hiring a professional planner to handle the party, but Michael felt that the process was simple enough that they could manage it themselves. He explained that all they needed was a prop—something to stuff with colored powder, confetti, or frosting that would signify whether they were having boys or girls.

After some back-and-forth discussion, Michael had convinced her to let him plan everything. He promised her that it would be simple and intimate, just a small gathering of close friends and family. But when Manoucheca stepped out into their backyard and saw what Michael had prepared, her jaw nearly hit the floor.

"This is too much, Mike," she said, her eyes widening as she took in the elaborate pink-and-blue decorations, the balloons, the giant "TWINS" sign, and the beautifully arranged table full of treats. It was as if she had stepped into a Pinterest dream, only the dream was hers.

Michael grinned, looking satisfied with his work. "This is the scaled-back version of what I wanted to do," he said, clearly proud of how it had turned out.

Manoucheca groaned and rolled her eyes but couldn't help but laugh. "Never mind, then. This is perfect."

She knew it was more than she had expected, but seeing how much care Michael had put into everything melted her heart. He had gone all out to make the event special, and it was clear that his excitement to become a father—and to share the moment with their loved ones—was genuine.

As the guests began to arrive, Manoucheca and Michael greeted their friends and family, each of them eager to hear the news. Donna, Robyn, and Winston already knew they were having twins, having been told in confidence earlier, but everyone else was completely surprised. The room buzzed with excitement as the couple prepared for the big reveal.

Manoucheca and Michael stood together at the center of the backyard, surrounded by loved ones. With a small cheer from their guests, they grabbed the confetti poppers that had been carefully filled with blue streamers. When they pulled the strings, the air erupted in a shower of vibrant blue, signaling that they were having two boys.

The crowd erupted in cheers, and Manoucheca found herself laughing in pure joy. She glanced over at Michael, whose face lit up with the same excitement. The moment was perfect—everything she had hoped for. It wasn't just the gender reveal, though. It was the feeling of togetherness, the way Michael was beside her every step of the way, the way their friends and family were celebrating with them.

"We're going to have two little boys," Michael whispered in her ear, his voice filled with awe.

Manoucheca nodded, feeling overwhelmed by the love and excitement surrounding them. "Two little boys," she repeated, knowing that their lives were about to change in the most beautiful way.

As the party continued, guests mingled, celebrated, and offered their congratulations. It was a day to remember—a day when Manoucheca and Michael could share their joy with those they loved and begin to prepare for the next chapter of their lives.