Baby Steps

Raspberries, Limes, and Plums

Brooke Lynn’s POV:

The weeks ticked by, and we were counting each of them.

Six…Seven…Eight…

“Babe!” I yelled down the hall towards the bedroom.

A grumble of “what?” came from not the bedroom but the bathroom. She must be sick again. I frowned. She’s been so sick.

“Our baby is the size of a raspberry.” I said smiling.

“Ugh…” Vanessa groaned coming into the kitchen, “Don’t even mention any types of foods.”

She leaned over the counter, forehead in her hands. I rubbed her back.

“What can I do?” I asked, she just shook her head in response.

“I’m okay, baby.” She stood up straight and kissed my cheek, “mornings are just rough ya know?”

I nodded. “I’m sure our moms would have some good ideas on how to help.” I said, cautiously.

Vanessa immediately shook her head. “No, we can’t tell them yet. One more month.”

I sighed. She was right. We needed to wait, just in case.

I checked my watch. “I gotta go babe. I have a session at 9.” I press my lips to her temple. “Do you have a class?”

“Yeah, not until 2pm though.” Vanessa replies.

“Alright, well lay down and rest. Love you. See you in a bit.” And out the door I went.

Nine…Ten…Eleven…

“Babe, you’re doing it again.”

“What?” Vanessa looked at me with innocent eyes. I just looked pointedly at her leg, which was bouncing up and down at a rapid rate.

“I’m sorry, I’m excited, Mary.” Vanessa rolled her eyes, and I smiled.

“Vanessa.” Said the nurse at the door.

We stood up and I followed Vanessa as she followed the nurse. I sat in the corner while Vanessa talked to the nurse and followed the instructions to get ready. Once she was ready, though, I was right next to my wife, holding her hand. Vanessa jumped as the gel hit her mostly still-flat stomach.

The screen looked like a static TV at first, but then we saw it. Our little lime-sized baby, according to google this week. Vanessa’s face lit up with the biggest smile.

Then there was a sound. This sound was unlike anything I’ve ever heard. It was a quiet but strong sound. I couldn't explain it if I tried. I felt tears pooling in my eyes.

Heartbeat. Our baby had a heartbeat. Vanessa squeezed my hand, bringing me back to earth. I just smiled.

Twelve…

“Babe!” Vanessa yelled from the bedroom.

My head snapped up.

“Brooke!” she yelled.

I ran to the bedroom like a bat out of hell.

“What?!” I said out of breath.

“Look!” she smiled, and she turned to the side.

I squealed. Her lower stomach was popping out. She was starting to show.

“There’s a baby in there.” She beamed at me.

I smiled and said "and they're the size of a plum." To which Vanessa just rolled her eyes.

I looked over at the dresser where we had placed the framed ultrasound from last week. Everything was starting to feel real, and the anxiety was starting in. But I swallowed it down.

Twelve and a half....

"I knew it!" My mom yelled, jumping up and down.
Vanessa's mom had silent tears running down her face and she couldn't smile wider if she tried. My dad hugged us and told us he was happy for us.
We invited our parents over for dinner one evening so we could tell them the news, and it went so well. Of course, our mom's had all kinds of questions. Everyone was so happy. So why did I feel so anxious?