"Congratulations!" Dr. Manning says. With shock Abby is silent whereas Sheila gasps. "Are you sure?" "Yes, Mrs. Bennett. Your daughter is pregnant." Still in shock Abby finally looks at Dr. Manning. "That can't be." "Well Abby, we will have to do some ultrasounds to see how far along you are and check the health of baby. I will send the nurse in where she can preform the test and once again Ms. Bennett, Congratulations." With that being said, Dr. Manning smiles and walks out of the exam room shutting the door. A few moments later the previous nurse comes in to take Abby for the ultrasound. Sheila stands to go with Abby and the nurse says "It's alright, were just going down the hall and we will be back in no time." With that being said the lights flicker a little and with a stern protective voice Sheila says "I did not ask for your permission. I am going with my daughter and that's final." Abby rolls her eyes "Mom, you don't have to be that protective of me. It's just down the hall. I will be back." "I'm going." Sheila responds and Abby looks between the nurse and her mother. "Fine. Let's all go together."
During the ultrasound the nurse finds that the baby is already approaching 16 weeks. That puts the date of conception early June and the due date late January, early February 1992."How could you not know you were pregnant? Didn't you have any of the signs? Missed periods, tender breasts, cravings?" Abby shakes her head. "My periods have never been normal and no for the tender breasts and cravings." Sheila sits there in awe of the little life growing in her daughters belly. She prays to the ancestors for a full term pregnancy and mild labor. "Let's get you cleaned up and get an appointment set to see you again in about 6 weeks." Abby wipes the jelly off her belly and straightens her clothes. She stands up and embraces Sheila with happy tears in her eyes. "I can't believe this is happening." "Since you are having some pain and past miscarriages I want you to take it easy for the next couple of days and call us if you have any questions or concerns." Sheila and Abby get to the car and sit inside. They are quiet for awhile when Sheila turns to Abby and says. "This is a gift baby, I know that this time the baby will be carried to term and come into this world healthy and loved." Abby places her hands on her belly and smiles. "You know what mom, I think you're right." Sheila pulls out of the parking lot at the hospital and asks if Abby still wants to go shopping or if she wants to go to her house and rest. "I don't really feel like shopping. I think we should listen to the nurse. We can go back to your house for a little bit. Besides Rudy is supposed to call me later and I want you there when I tell him the news." Sheila smiles and continues to drive to her home.
Rudy finally calls Sheila's around 5 in the evening. "Hey babe. How was the day with your mom?" Sheila sits there looking at Abby. "It was good. We had breakfast and walking out to the car I felt a sharp pain and we went to the doctors to see what was going on." "Tell me you're okay." Rudy says with panic in his tone. "Abby?" Abby tells Rudy of the tests and all the questions the nurse and doctor had for her. She went on to explain her pain. "Are you okay?" Rudy asks. Abby is quiet for a few seconds, then she finally tells him "Rudy, I'm 16 weeks pregnant." The phone goes dead for several minutes. Abby is frantically calling for Rudy to answer her. When Rudy finally responds all he can manage to say is " What?! Could you say that again? It sounded like you said I'm pregnant." Abby laughs and says "I'm 16 weeks pregnant. We're going to have a baby!"
6 weeks later [Halloween 1991]... Rudy has come home for a couple weeks and has left again feeling comfortable leaving his wife in the hands of his mother-in-law. Abby and Sheila are on their way to her appointment. They meet the nurse and the new OBGYN Dr. Lisa Hunt. Dr. Hunt listens to the baby's heartbeat and smiles. "The heart sounds healthy and strong. Now lets get a good picture of this little one and see if they are willing to show if they are a little girl or a little boy." Abby lays back on the table and lifts her shirt. Dr. Hunt applies the jelly to her saying "This might be a little cold." Abby reaches her had out toward her mother saying "I hope it's a girl." Sheila takes her daughters hand "Oh, the gender shouldn't matter baby, as long as he or she is healthy." After a couple minutes with the doctor searching for the right angle Dr. Hunt looks at Abby with a wide smile "Congratulations, it's a little girl."Abby sheds tears of joy while Dr. Hunt asks if she wants a home birth or if she wants to have the baby in the hospital. "Whatever your choice is, I will be there. Regardless of it being here at the hospital or at your home." As Abby wipes the jelly off she looks at Sheila. "Mom, I want to have a Thanksgiving dinner at your house where we invite close family and friends if that's alright with you. I want to wait till then to tell everyone that Rudy and I are expecting." Sheila smiles "That's a wonderful idea."
