Holding Out For A Hero

62. A Mother's Prayer

2 Months, 2 Weeks and 4 Days Later - February 29, 2024

20 Weeks

"Are you sure I can't miss school to come to the doctors with you mama?" James asked in between spoonfuls of cheerios. Today Dave and I where going to find out the sex of the baby.

"I'm positive. We won't tell anyone until we tell you I promise," I said back.

"Cross your heart?" James said.

"Cross my heart," I said as made an x over my heart.

"Hey buddy you ready to go?" Dav asked as he came into the kitchen. James took another spoonful of cheerios and then wgot off his chair.

"Uh huh but mom said I can miss school. I'm sick," James said and then fake coughed. I covered my mouth to stifle my laughter.

"That doesn't sound like your mom at all. Let's see though," Dave said and then got down on one knee so he was on James's level. He then put his hand on James's forehead and then said," You don't feel warm. Let's hear that cough again." James fake coughed again and Dave made a face. "Ok now stick out your tongue and go ahhhhh," Dave said which James did.

"So what's the diagonisis doctor?" I asked as Dave stood back up.

"He's as healthy as a horse. Sorry James but you're going to school," Dave responded with and James started pouting.

"It was worth a try," He said defeatedly.

I gave James a kiss and hug before he and Dave left and then I headed upstairs to get ready for the day. I chose a random t-shirt and a blue strechy skirt that still fit inspite of my bump and then paired it with a pair of blue flip flops. I checked in on Lucas and Kimmy in the nursery and saw they where doing ok so I headed downstairs. I cleaned up the kitchen and then sat down in the living room and waited for Dave to get home. I felt the baby kick and smiled as I rubbed where it had kicked. I hoped that Dave was right this time and that it was a girl and that everything would be ok. I was still worried that the same thing might happen again that happened with Cecilia. I knew that the odds of it happening again where slim to none but I just couldn't completely relax. It was always there in the back of my mind. I was sitting there just rubbing my belly staring off into nothing. I was startled when Dave came into my line of vision.

"Everything ok?" he asked.

"Of course. Was just off in dreamland again. Ready to go?" I asked in response.

"That didn't look like dreamland. Looked alot like worryland," Dave said as he mved so he was sitting beside me on the couch.

"I know you tell me all the time not to worry and to enjoy this time but I can't just turn my brain off. I also know that the odds that it'll happen again are low and odd but it's just always there," I said back in repsonse.

"I know and I get it. I worry about it too honestly but you can't let that worry and fear take control. Please try and enjoy the rest of this pregnancy. This is the last one after all. Okay let's go find out what she is," Dave said with a wink and then stood up.

"It's gonna be another boy," I said as he helped me up.

"Ya ok. Just you wait and see," Dave said as we headed towards the front door.

Later That Day

After the doctor's appointment, Dave and I went to a bakery and gave them the envelope and told them we needed a gender reveal cake. It was just a little one that would feed everyone that was coming for dinner tonight. Virginia, Lisa, Taylor, Abby, Kimmy and the girls where all joining us tonight to find out. Ever since we got the cake I started getting a little antsy which was only made worse when I picked James up from school. The second he was in the car he asked. I told him he ahd to wait until after dinner to find out. When we got home he ran up to Dave, interrupted his conversation with Abby and asked him if he knew. Dave told him the exact same thing I did and he pouted. Thankfully Olivia was there to distract him until dinner was ready. After dinner, Kimmy and I cleared the tabled and decided to bring the cake out. When James saw the cake he stood up on his chair in excitement. Once I put the cake down on the table by Dave, he gave me a wink and then handed me the knife.

"Mama cut the cake already pleeeeeease," James said affter I just kind of stared at the cake for a second.

"James dear be patient," Virginia said as Lisa made him sit down properly.

"Here goes nothing," I said as I put the tip of the knife into the middle of the cake. I paused for a moment and then finished the cut before making a second one. I slid the knife underneath the cake and then lifted it up as I closed my eyes.

After everyone had gone home, Dave offered to put the boys to bed and Kimmy and I tackled the dishes. After they where done, Kimmy headed home and I went to clean up the living room. I put away the few left over toys that had been left on the floor before I decided to just look around the living room. I walked around and looked at the pictures on the booksheleves and the wall and stopped when I got to the mantel above the fireplace. I picked up the one picture we had of Cecilia and smiled at it sadly.

"You ok over there?" Dave asked. I put the picture back and wiped a lone tear away.

"Ya I'm ok. Just looking at all the pictures," I replied as I walked over and sat on the couch. Dave came and joined me, putting his arm around my shoulders.

"You excited about it being a girl?" he asked as I tried to snuggle closer to him.

"I am and you were right this time," I replied.

"I told you it would be a girl," Dave said before leaning down and kissing me gently.