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Chapter 17 - Choosing a Name

The news that I was having a girl felt surreal. I could hardly wrap my mind around it. With each passing day, I found myself daydreaming about my little girl—her laugh, her personality, and what it would be like to hold her in my arms. But the one thing I hadn't fully embraced yet was her name.

As I sat at my desk that evening, I opened my laptop and began to search for baby names. Tara flopped onto my bed beside me, her enthusiasm infectious. "So, what are we thinking? Do you have any names in mind?" she asked, bouncing slightly on the mattress.

I glanced at her, biting my lip. "Not really. I just keep thinking about how important this name will be. It has to be perfect."

"Let's brainstorm!" she declared, pulling out her phone and tapping away. "We can find something that suits her. What about something classic or maybe something unique?"

I paused, reflecting on the kind of name I wanted for my daughter. "I want it to mean something special," I said thoughtfully. "Something that reflects strength and love, you know?"

Tara nodded eagerly. "Definitely! How about 'Rebecca'? It's a classic name, and it means 'to bind' or 'to tie.' It has a sense of connection and strength."

I mulled it over, rolling the name around in my head. "Rebecca... I like it. It feels warm and inviting, and I can picture calling out that name."

"Plus, it's versatile," Tara added. "You can shorten it to 'Becca' or keep it as is. It's a great choice!"

I smiled, feeling a sense of excitement bubble up within me. "Yeah, I think I love it! Rebecca it is!"

Tara clapped her hands together, her eyes shining. "I can already see her being a little Rebecca! She's going to be so strong and amazing, just like her mom."

A wave of warmth washed over me at her words. Choosing a name felt like a significant step, like I was finally starting to claim my identity as a mother. "Thank you for being here with me during this," I said, turning to her. "It means a lot."

"Of course! We're in this together," Tara replied, grinning widely. "Now we just have to think of middle names!"

"Middle names?!" I laughed, feeling both exhilarated and overwhelmed. "I hadn't even thought that far ahead."

"Well, let's make a list! Maybe something that honors family or has a nice ring to it?" Tara suggested, already typing away on her phone.

As she brainstormed, I thought about the women in my family. My grandmother had always been a source of strength, a woman who faced life's challenges with grace and determination. "What about 'Marie'? It was my grandmother's name," I said, feeling the connection grow stronger.

"Rebecca Marie has a beautiful ring to it," Tara said, nodding. "It flows perfectly! Plus, you're honoring your family."

"Yeah, I love that!" I exclaimed, my heart swelling with pride. "Rebecca Marie it is!"

"Now, we have to celebrate!" Tara cheered, jumping up from the bed. "Let's order some ice cream or something."

I laughed at her excitement and got up to join her in the kitchen. "You read my mind! Ice cream sounds perfect right now."

As we settled down with bowls of ice cream, I felt lighter, as if a weight had been lifted off my shoulders. It was a small but meaningful moment, one that reminded me of the joy to come.

Later that night, as I lay in bed, I clutched the ultrasound pictures of Rebecca Marie close to my heart. I felt a sense of peace wash over me. Despite the uncertainties that lay ahead with Justin and the challenges of motherhood, I knew that I had taken a significant step in embracing this journey.

Rebecca was going to be my everything. With her name now in my heart, I felt ready to face whatever challenges came our way.