Work Hard, Play Hard

Seventeen. Visit

••• Three months later •••

"My stomach is huge!" I exclaimed, as I looked at my growing baby bump in the mirror.

I was now three and a half months pregnant.

"Well, there's a baby in there. What do you expect?" Jace asked, as he stood behind me.

"I didn't mean it like that, I mean that it grows so fast. I wasn't this big yesterday." I said, correcting my statement.

"You ready to go?" Jace asked as he grabbed the car keys.

"Yeah."

It was the day that we would learn the gender of our baby. I was super excited. My mom and sister were meeting us there. It was the first time I'd be seeing them since I found out I was pregnant.

••• at doctors office •••

"Ms. Carlson. How are you today?" The doctor asked, as she applied some gel on my stomach.

"I'm great. Super excited!" I exclaimed as my Jace and my family smiled.

"That's great." She said as she started the ultrasound.

"This baby is big and healthy." She said, as a smile formed on my face. I was happy to hear that.

"Is the heart beat okay?" I asked.

"Yes, very strong." She replied. "Okay, so the gender of your baby is..." she said, pausing suddenly.

"A girl! Congratulations!" She said, with excitement.

"That's wonderful!" My mom said with a smile.

"I'm gonna be an aunty!" Catrina squealed with joy.

"That's amazing, Callie!" Jace said, as he ran over to hug me.

"I know, so exciting!" I said, hugging him back.

"Take these and wipe your skin, then you're free to go!" The nurse said, handing me a few napkins to wipe the gel off my stomach.

"Thank you so much." I said, as she smiled and left.

••• at home •••

"So do you have any names picked out?" My mom asked, as we ate dinner.

"Yeah, Aurellie." I said, with a smile.

"That sounds so pretty. I love it." My mom replied, with a smile. "What about you Catrina?" She asked.

"It's cute. I like it." She answered.

"So Jace, you excited to be a dad?" Catrina asked.

"Of course. Especially when the mother is this beautiful woman right here." He said, glancing over at me.

I couldn't help but smile.

"You're so sweet, Jace. I'm happy you're taking care of my daughter." My mom said, with a smile.

"Always." He replied.

"So, when's the wedding?" Catrina suddenly asked.

"Catrina!" I shouted in disbelief.

I couldn't believe she asked that. Jace and I had never even spoken about marriage.

"Um..." Jace said awkwardly as he scratched his neck.

"Catrina, can I talk to you in the kitchen?" I asked, furiously as I got up and hurried to the kitchen, Catrina following behind me.

"Oh dear."I could hear my mom say as she sighed.

"Seriously Catrina. Why did you ask him that?" I asked as I punched her shoulder gently.

"What? It's just a question. I'm only 19, just a kid." She said with a smile.

"Yeah,well maybe you should grow up and think before you speak." I said, with an eye roll as I turned my back towards her.

"I was joking, okay, gosh. I'm sorry." She said as she touched my shoulder. "He's perfect and you know it. Marriage would be the finishing piece to this wonderful puzzle, don't you think?"

"Well... yeah, but I don't want to pressure him into anything. I want to marry him, but if he's not ready then it's fine." I said, getting teary eyed.

"Aw, come here. I'm sorry." Catrina said, as she hugged me and wiped my tears.

"It's okay, don't worry. That's life. At least the baby will be here in six months." I said, trying to change the subject and lighten the mood.

"Girls, everything okay in there?" I heard my mom ask from the dining room.

"Yeah, we're fine." Catrina quickly replied.

"Is my makeup still good?" I asked, as Catrina wiped my face.

"Yeah, let's go." She said, as we walked back to the dining room.

"Catrina, we've got to get going. I have a meeting to attend tomorrow morning." My mom said, as she stood up.

"Okay, I have work tomorrow too." She replied while organizing her stuff.

"It was nice seeing you guys, see you next week." My mom said as she hugged both me and Jace. "Love you two."

"We love you too, bye." I said, as they left.

"So, you okay?" Jace asked as he took the dishes to the kitchen.

"Yeah...why?" I asked.

"You seemed shaken by the wedding question. Is something wrong?" He asked, standing in front of me.

"No, I thought it bothered you, that's why." I replied.

"No, I'm fine. It caught me off guard, but it's not a big deal. I'm gonna marry you anyway, so." He said, walking back into the kitchen.

I ran after him. "You are?" I asked, surprised by what he had said.

"Well yeah. I mean don't you want to?"

"Absolutely. " I said hugging him tightly.

He laughed. "That's my girl."