Left Behind

Kicks

April 8th, 20 weeks

"Happy halfway mark, Jessica!" Her doctor says walking into the room. Jessica sat up and waved hello.

Jessica gives her a soft smile and places her hand on her stomach that was now beginning to show. This was Jessica's first appointment in a few weeks now that her doctor had weened her off of weekly visits. Jessica's anxiety concerning the baby's health had diminished. She was feeling a lot more confident and happy. She was embracing her pregnancy.

"How are you feeling?" She says

"I'm feeling okay. I'm noticing lots of changes, but nothing big."

"Let me guess, trouble sleeping?" She asks

Jessica sighs in exhaustion "Yes"

"She's been snoring though. I can hear her through the walls!" Dorthy says in a joking way

Jessica's face becomes red. She laughs it off.

"Well, that's normal.... would you like to find out the gender today?" She says

Jessica shakes her head. "No, not yet. I'm waiting for my mother in law to come into town." She says

By this time everyone knew about Jessica's pregnancy. To be expected, everyone was over the moon excited. It was very emotional, especially for Zoe. She decided to come into town very soon. Jessica wanted her mother and Zoe to be with her when she found out the gender.

"Alright. Have you felt any kicks yet?" The doctor asks

Jessica shakes her head "No"

The doctor was quite for a moment. She didn't say anything, but Jessica quickly became nervous.

"Is that bad? Should I be feeling kicks?" Jessica says

The doctor quickly calms Jessica down, "No, every baby is different." Her doctor reassures her

"Yes, it's fine, Jessica. You'll feel the little peanut kick sooner than later." Dorthy smiles

//-//

After Jessica's appointment Dorthy treated her to lunch in the city. Jessica was still a bit shaken up, worrying about her baby not kicking yet. She searched and searched on her phone to see if it was normal. But everything told her it was normal. Still, nothing put her mind at rest.

While they were eating Dorthy caught Jessica poking her small belly then pressing her hand onto it, hoping for a single feeling it kick.

Dorthy couldn't help but chuckle. "Jessica, darling, your baby will kick soon. Don't poke! What if it's sleeping?" Dorthy smiles

Jessica puts her hands to her side and sighs. "I can't help but worry." She says softly

"I Can't stress enough how fine your baby is. You worry too much."

"I have a right to." She says

She nods slowly, and her smile fades. "I know" she mumbles

"I'm sorry, I shouldn't worry, you're right."

"Don't apologize, Jess. I get it. I think out of all your siblings, you were the one who gave me the most scares when I was pregnant." She chuckles

"Really? How so?"

"You didn't kick for months. Your father kept telling me everything was fine but it took We a while to believe him. Finally, you did. I remember sitting at work, I felt a kick, and I started to cry. I had been sick to my stomach for months because with your sisters, I always felt little flutters earlier on. Everyone is different. Maybe your little baby takes after you? Always giving mom a scare!" Dorthy chuckles