The Girl from Ipanema | PRN

07. the radiance and joy

During the next few weeks of my pregnancy, the battle with morning sickness kept me largely confined to the comfort of my apartment. It was like enduring an endless hangover, without the slightest pleasure of actually sipping my beloved cachaca.

By the time I finally began to feel better, I estimated that I was about 10 weeks along. My baby bump was teeny and tiny, unnoticeable to anyone but Prince and myself.

With the gradual easing of morning sickness, a newfound sense of energy and relief washed over me, allowing some normalcy to return to my daily life. The constant nausea and fatigue, which had once overwhelmed me, slowly faded away.

Though my baby bump remained tiny, its presence served as a constant reminder of the precious life growing inside me. I treasured the moments when Prince would gently place his hand on the subtle swell of my lower belly, his eyes filled with awe and excitement.

"You're so beautiful and nurturing," he would murmur, pressing a loving kiss to my lips. "You're going to be an incredible mother."

His words touched my heart, and I couldn't help but smile as I caressed his cheek. "And you'll be an amazing father," I replied, my voice filled with affection and absolute certainty. "Our child is incredibly lucky to have you."

In those intimate moments, Prince's eyes would sparkle with joy and anticipation as he leaned in, his forehead gently resting against mine. "I can't wait to meet our little one," he whispered, his voice brimming with excitement.

Together, we shared the thrill of awaiting the arrival of our child, knowing that the journey ahead would be filled with love, happiness, and a profound sense of wonder.

...

Before we knew it, I was 12 weeks along and ready to see our baby for the first time.

The day of our first ultrasound appointment finally came, and a mix of nerves and anticipation bubbled within me. Prince held my hand tightly as we sat together in the waiting room, his presence offering a reassuring sense of comfort. 

When my name was called, we stepped into the examination room, where a friendly ultrasound technician warmly greeted us. She made sure we were comfortable, taking the time to explain the procedure before beginning.

With the application of gel on my belly and the gentle movement of the ultrasound wand, a small screen came to life, revealing the first glimpses of our precious little one. Prince's grip on my hand tightened, and together, we held our breath in awe.

There it was—a tiny, flickering heartbeat. Tears welled up in my eyes as I watched our baby's form take shape on the screen, an undeniable testament to the miracle of life. Prince's eyes shimmered with emotion, and a smile of sheer joy spread across his face.

"Look at our baby," he whispered, his voice brimming with wonder and boundless love.

The technician pointed out the different features and measurements, explaining how our baby was growing and developing. Each new detail filled us with overwhelming love and a sense of profound awe for the life blossoming within me.

During the ultrasound, we heard the rhythmic sound of our baby's heartbeat, a melody that filled the room with joy and anticipation. It was a moment that etched itself into our hearts forever.

As the appointment came to a close, the technician kindly provided us with printed images of our baby and offered her heartfelt congratulations. Prince and I sat together, studying the pictures with a mix of amazement and gratitude, marveling at the precious miracle we were blessed with.

"I can hardly believe we're going to be parents," Prince murmured, his voice tinged with excitement and a touch of disbelief.

Resting my head against his shoulder, I leaned into him, filled with a profound sense of wonder. "It's amazing, isn't it? We created life, and we get to be their mommy and daddy," I replied, my voice brimming with awe and a deep sense of gratitude.