Seasons [h.s]

Spring - Part 6

I stared at my reflection in the mirror- absolutely breathless.

Instinctively, I placed my hands on my stomach. This time not feeling for the unknown. This time, I was feeling my baby.

My baby.

A smile teased the corners of my mouth. Already this baby felt different than when I was pregnant with Mia. As much as I loved my daughter, my pregnancy was encompassed by fear and anxiety. I endured so many testing trials during that time that I didn't have much time to enjoy the little human who was growing inside of me. It wasn't until I first laid eyes on her beautiful, fluffy face that I finally felt happy. But this baby was different. This baby would be born into a home filled with so much love.

Hesitantly, I twisted the handle of the bathroom door to Gemma and Annette's expectant faces. I could only nod before their arms were wrapped around me.

"Really?" Gemma exclaimed. "Oh, Grace!" Her arms tightened around me.

"This is so amazing," Annette cried against my shoulder.

"I'm in shock," I breathed. "I can't believe it." But our sweet moment was short lived by the sound keys unlocking the front door.

"Harry-" Gemma gasped - cupping her mouth with her hand.

My heart dropped. "He must've gotten out of his meeting and is back with Mia early. I'm not ready to tell him yet."

"What do you want us to do?" Annette asked in a protective tone.

"Distract the two of them for me, please. Just until I can get the bathroom cleaned up." I begged.

They both nodded before rushing down the stairs to meet Mia and Harry. I waited to hear their exaggerated exclaims before racing back into the bathroom. I took the pregnancy tests into my hands and searched for something to hide them in. I settled on a woven basket full of old deodorants and soap that sat in a cabinet underneath the sink. I did my best to disguise it behind the other miscellaneous things. Taking a deep breath to steady myself, I made my way down the stairs.

I found Annette making Mia an afternoon snack while Gem and Harry were speaking on the balcony. My heart fluttered when his eyes met mine - a sparkling grin on his face. He motioned for me to join them.

"You're standing!" He exclaimed as he wrapped his long arms around my waist. "I didn't think I'd see that for at least another day. How's your stomach, my love?" He inquired, rubbing his hand against my stomach.

"I..." My eyes focused on Gemma, who was wearing a giddy grin. Little did she know that I was rolling my eyes at her in my mind.

"Grace?" Harry asked again.

"I'm better. I think I finally figured out what has been causing my stomach issues." I wasn't lying. I did figure it out.

"Lovely. Glad you're feeling better, babe." His lips pecked my temple before he headed back inside.

Gemma waited until he was out of earshot before lecturing me. "Why didn't you tell him?"

"I don't think right now is the best time to spring this type of news on him. He just came for from a meeting and he's probably exhausted." However, this wasn't the reason why I wanted to keep it from him. I remembered Gemma telling me how Harry didn't think of himself as a father, and how it wasn't something he really wanted - especially right now. I worried that telling him would scare him away.

"Well," she said taking my hand and giving it a squeeze. "Don't wait too long, we all know I'm terrible at keeping a secret."

I nodded with an artificial giggle before taking her in my arms. "Thank you for everything."