Through the Standing Stones

Chapter 30

Several weeks later, Izzy was positively blooming in her pregnancy. Simon was now, as expected, a bit of an expert on all things pregnancy and had made it his life's purpose to make sure that Izzy and their child had the proper nutrition, plenty of rest and lots of love and affection. Although he still felt the niggling concern that a new father would experience, Simon was more confident and less fearful of their safety.

Uncle Jon came to visit, bearing gifts and beamed as he looked at Izzy standing in front of him "My goodness love, you look amazing. Simon's obviously looking after you well" he said with a warm laugh.

"I gave an intelligent man all the information he needed and Ias a result, I've created a pregnancy bootcamp instructor" she joked as Simon rolled his eyes at her. "Simon is making sure I have the right vitamins, the proper food to keep the baby healthy, that I rest at the right time, I exercise at the right time" she said laughing.

Simon kissed her cheek and hugged her from behind as he laid some drinks and food on the table for them. Izzy smiled at him and patted his cheek "I love every minute" she said with a grin.

After catching up, Jon handed Izzy a large bag of gifts. There was a few things for the baby, such as a crib mobile, a teddy bear and a baby sling, as well as some gifts to pamper Izzy. Simon was fascinated by the baby sling and was immediately examining it to see how it works. In a fit of giggles, Izzye strapped it around his large frame as he looked on perplexed, before she grabbed a cushion and stuffed it in the front. 

The look of realisation dawning on Simon's face, was a picture worth saving. Jon then handed her an envelope "This is to help you too get the stuff you need for the baby" he said with a warm smile.

Izzy looked inside the envelope and gasped "Uncle Jon, this is way too much" she protested in shock.

Jon shook his head "It's nothing your mum and dad wouldn't have done. It'll make me happy to see you sorting out a nursery for the little one" he replied with a grin.

Feeling tearful at his generosity, Izzy hugged him. "Thank you so much Uncle Jon" she whispered.

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For the next few weeks, Simon and Izzy, cleared out the spare room and started work in turning it into a nursery. Aided with Uncle Jon's generous gift, they were able to get everything they thought a new baby would need. 

When the next scan came around, they were both eager to see how the baby was progressing and the subject came up about the baby's gender. Of course Simon had been reading about how they were able to detect distinct signs of the baby's gender and the parents could decide if they wanted to know before the baby was born. 

Neither could decide if they wanted to know in advance, so it wasn't until the scan was underway, that they knew. Simon listened rapt by the sound of the baby's heartbeat coming from the speakers and when Izzy smiled at him, he simply shook his head, unable to speak.

They both watched the screen with mounting excitement as the nurse moved the wand around, before asking the question. They looked at each other, smiled and nodded "Yes we'd like to know" Izzy said confidently.

The nurse smiled "Well baby Riley is most definitely a boy" she announced.

All the way home, Simon was completely silent, still taking in the news that they were going to have a son. Izzy happily chatted away about how they could now decide on names and if they wanted to start buying clothes for a boy. He just let it all wash over him with a soft contented smile.

The long discussion that ensued about baby names, was harder than either of them thought. Izzy suggested the baby should be named after Simon, as was traditional, but also wanted her own father's name. Then thinking, she voiced that she also wanted to have Uncle Jon included.