That Would Be Enough

14

Lin and Kate didn't tell anyone about her pregnancy yet, including Madeline.  They wanted to confirm with a doctor and wait until the baby was a little farther along.  Twelve weeks was generally thought of as a safe time.

Lin insisted on going to the doctor with Kate.  The nurse showed them into an exam room, where Kate had to change into a gown.  Lin could tell Kate was nervous, so he held her hand and tried to keep her chatting to take her mind off of things. Apparently, Madeline's pregnancy had had some complications, and she was nervous about the same thing happening.  Lin tried to reassure her not to worry about things they couldn't know.  Maybe the pregnancy would go perfectly this time.

The doctor came in and introduced herself to the couple.  The exam would include an internal examination with a wand.  Kate took a deep breath out as it was guided inside her, then squeezed Lin's hand.  He squeezed back.

Their eyes went to the monitor, a sea of black with gray and white blips.  The doctor began moving the wand around inside and the images changed slightly.  Finally, she paused and pointed to the screen with her finger.

"And that," she said.  "Is your baby."

Kate and Lin smiled widely, and squeezed hands again.

"You look to be about five weeks along," she told them as she pressed buttons on her computer to capture images.  A minute or so later, the wand was removed.

"Alright, Kate," she said, pushing her keyboard station away.  "We'll want to see you once a month.  You'll want to start taking prenatal vitamins."

Kate brought up her concern about having complications.  The doctor assured her that everything looked normal at this point and they would tackle any problem if it came up.  She promised to be very direct and honest with Kate and Lin about their pregnancy.

They left the office and walked down the street, hand in hand.  "What do you say we go celebrate?" He suggested.

Kate agreed and they went to one of their favorite restaurants, where they ordered a giant chocolate dessert.  It was a molten lava cake - a warm brownie, filled with hot fudge, topped off with ice cream.  Kate seemed relieved.  She chatted and laughed, now that the news was official.  She'd always wanted more children, but the right opportunity hadn't come along.  Lin noticed that she seemed to glow, and it made him love her even more.

They went home and made love, feeling even closer to each other now that they were having a baby together.  Afterwards, they held each other in bed, just enjoying the feeling of being in each other's arms.

"Should we tell anyone yet?" Lin wondered out loud as he let his fingers gently trail up and down her bare arm.

"Maybe family," she said.  "I'm not sure how Maddie will react.  I think she'll be excited, but I don't know."

They decided to tell Maddie that evening.  After dinner, they set her down with a bowl of ice cream, drowned in chocolate syrup.  They all sat at the table as Maddie chatted on about her day.

"So, Maddie, we have some exciting news to tell you," Kate began.

"What is it?!" She asked excitedly, watching the chocolate drip from her spoon.

"Mommy's going to have a baby!" She said, smiling.  Maddie gasped in and smiled widely.

"I get a little sister?"

"Well, we don't know if it will be a boy or a girl yet."

"I want it to be a girl," she decided.

"We'll have to wait and see," she said.  "So you'll be a big sister."

"I'll be a good big sister," Maddie decided.  "I'll show her how to use the monkey bars and the best candy."

"I'm sure you will be," Kate said, tucking some hair behind her hair so she didn't get chocolate in it.  Kate imagined what her new baby would look like.  Lin was obviously of Hispanic heritage, so he or she would have dark features.  She knew their baby would be gorgeous.

Maddie chatted more about what she was going to show the baby.  Kate was relieved that she seemed excited.  When the baby actually came, there might be a bit of jealousy, but Madeline would love her sibling.  Kate couldn't wait to see them play together.

At bedtime, Kate read her daughter stories.  As she finished, Maddie had some questions about the baby.

"Where is the baby?"

"It's in my belly right now," Kate explained.  She laughed when Maddie pushed up her shirt and started talking to her young sibling.

"How did it get there?"  She asked curiously.  Kate bit her lip, wondering how to explain appropriately.

"Well, Lin gave me a special seed that goes in my belly," she decided.  "There's a tiny little egg in my belly, and when they connect they start to grow a baby."

"How big is the baby?"

"Very tiny," she said.  "Probably about the size of your thumbnail."

Madeline examined her fingernail, trying to imagine a baby that size.  She had a few more questions for her mother, then seemed satisfied.  Kate kissed her good night and tucked her in.

When she walked out to the living room, Lin was on the phone with his mother.  He had told her about the baby and she was obviously very excited.  Kate had yet to meet Lin's parents, but he assured her they would love her.  Kate smiled as she sat down, getting out a book to read.  A few minutes later, Lin hung up.

"My mom already has ideas for names," he told her, tucking his phone in his back pocket.  Kate stood up and they both put their hands on each other's hips.  Lin bit his lip as he looked into Kate's eyes.  He'd never been this happy before.

"What are you thinking?" He asked her gently.

She sighed, a content look on her face.  "I'm thinking I need to get a bigger place."

Her current apartment only had two bedrooms.  So did his.

"I've been thinking about that too," he admitted.  "We could pool our money.  Get a three bedroom."

She smiled, loving that he was on the same page as her.  "Let's check the listings."

They got out her laptop and set up an account on Zillow, and specified a price range.  Lin was overly attached to Washington Heights, so they kept their search in that area.  There were quite a few good possibilities.  They marked their favorites and decided they'd call a few places the next day.

That night, they fell asleep in each other's arms, thinking hopefully about the future.