The Diary of Evergreen Evelyn

The Garden of Anxiety

"Good morning, Ed," Sam greeted upon entering, the enticing aroma of brewing coffee wafting through the air.

"Good morning, Sam. Come, have your coffee," Ed offered, pouring a cup for Sam.

Sipping his coffee, Sam inquired, "Where's Evan? Has he woken up yet?"

Ed chuckled, shaking his head. "Nope, how can he get up without getting on our nerves?"

"I'll go wake him up. Is Eve up yet?" Sam asked, concern evident in his voice.

"I woke both of them up; just check on both of them," Ed replied, gesturing toward the bedrooms.

"Sure, Ed," Sam nodded, heading towards the kids' rooms. Upon knocking on Eve's door, there was no response. He pushed the door open, only to find Eve still sleeping.

"Eve! Don't you have school today?" Sam exclaimed, concern deepening.

"5 minutes," Eve mumbled, attempting to steal a few more moments of slumber.

"No more 5 minutes. You also slept in the evening yesterday. Get up," Sam insisted, his patience wearing thin.

When Eve showed no signs of getting up, Sam decided to take a more assertive approach. He gently held her ear and guided her towards the washroom. "Get ready then come downstairs and have your breakfast," he instructed, ensuring she followed through.

With Eve on her way, Sam proceeded to Evan's room. The atmosphere in the room was quiet, Evan still lost in the embrace of sleep. Sam sighed, realizing that a more decisive action was necessary.

"Evan, it's time to get up," Sam called out, attempting to rouse him.

Evan, however, remained oblivious, prompting Sam to take a more stern approach. Evan seemed unfazed.

With a heavy heart and a deep breath, Sam delivered a firm but measured spank on Evan's backside. The sharp sound resonated in the room, momentarily disrupting the stillness. Evan, startled and now fully awake, looked up at Sam with a mix of surprise and realization.

Sam explained. "Get ready quickly, and join us downstairs for breakfast."

As Sam descended the stairs, he noticed everyone gathered for breakfast, except for Cece. The absence did not go unnoticed, and a sense of concern enveloped him. "Alright, now I have to go and call Cece, good." Sam sighed.

He made his way back to their room, finding Cece wrapped in her duvet. The room carried a subtle tension, and Sam knew he needed to address the situation. "Cece, I asked you to get ready, didn't I?" Sam questioned, a gentle yet firm tone in his voice.

Cece, gazing at Sam with a wearied expression, replied, "I freshened up. I'm just not feeling good today. Can we please postpone this? We can go tomorrow."

Sam, understanding the reluctance in Cece's eyes, approached her with a reassuring touch. "No, baby. Come downstairs and have breakfast. I'll change quickly, and we'll go. I want you to be comfortable, this isnt the first time you are trying to postpone your check ups." Sam insisted, motioning for Cece to join the family downstairs.

Cece hesitated, the weight of the day's events evident in her eyes. "I appreciate that, Sam, but I'm really not up for it. Let's just take it easy today," she suggested, her voice carrying a mix of exhaustion and unease.

Sam, sensing the need to be both understanding and firm, gently took Cece's hands in his. "I know it might feel overwhelming, but the check-up is essential for you and the baby. Let's get through this together. I'll make sure you're as comfortable as possible," he assured, his eyes reflecting a depth of care and determination.

"Love. Take everything you need. We'll go at your pace," Sam promised, gently guiding Cece to gather her essentials.

As they descended the stairs together, Sam carried the weight of both anticipation for the check-up and the delicate situation with Cece. The breakfast table held a mix of concern and support from the rest of the family, who had sensed the shift in the morning's plans.

Sitting beside Cece, Sam continued to reassure her. "We're in this together, okay? Today is just a step forward, and I'll be right there with you every moment," he whispered, his words a soothing balm for Cece's unease.

The family proceeded with breakfast, the morning unfolding with a nuanced blend of adjustments and understanding. Sam, donning a reassuring smile, sought to make the day as manageable as possible for Cece, recognizing the importance of balancing the practicalities of the check-up with the emotional well-being of his wife.

As Dan, Eve, and Evan left for their respective schools, Cece, gripped by nerves, settled into her seat in Sam's car. The atmosphere inside the vehicle was thick with tension as they embarked on the journey to the hospital. Cece, visibly anxious, clutched her hands together, her eyes betraying a mix of fear and uncertainty.

Sam, sensing Cece's distress, tried to ease the tension. "Hey, Cece, we've got this. It's just a check-up, and I'll be right there with you."

Cece nodded, but as soon as she took her seat, silent tears welled up in her eyes. The weight of the impending check-up seemed to bear down on her, and the car became a cocoon of mixed emotions.

Ed, waiting outside, turned to Sam, his expression one of concern. "Sam, make sure you check Eve's report later. We need to keep an eye on her progress too."

"Absolutely, Ed. I'll go through it," Sam assured, though his attention lingered on Cece, who was now quietly crying.

As they navigated the familiar streets toward the hospital, Sam couldn't help but notice Cece's tears. The unspoken fear of the unknown loomed large, and Sam, empathetic to his wife's emotions, placed a comforting hand on her shoulder. "We're in this together, Cece. No matter what, we face it as a team."

The car journeyed forward, the silence punctuated only by the soft hum of the engine and Cece's muffled sobs. Sam stole glances at her, wanting to offer solace but understanding the delicacy of the moment.

Upon arriving at the hospital, the family disembarked, the weight of the impending check-up palpable. As they entered the clinic, Sam spoke softly to Cece, "We're here for you, love. Whatever happens, we'll face it together."

Cece, drying her tears, managed a small nod. The waiting room became a space filled with shared emotions – fear, hope, and unwavering support. Sam, standing by Cece's side, knew that this appointment marked a pivotal moment. The family, connected by love and resilience, braced themselves for the journey ahead, ready to navigate the twists and turns of the first prenatal check-up as one united front.