It comes and goes

thirty-six

Camila's POV

"Ok, this is extremely hard to happen but sometimes it does. So if we are lucky, maybe we'll get a look at your baby's gender", Dr. Hollis said and I immediately looked at Shawn.

"Really?", I whispered excited.

"Don't get your hopes up, 'cause it may not happen", she warned me as she put the cold gel on my belly.

"I just wanna see... it", Shawn chuckled not knowing how to refer to... it. Our baby.

"Cross your fingers", the doctor said with a smile.

Our baby smiled at us but didn't show us much, so we didn't get to know the gender just yet. If it would've happened, I would've been ecstatic, but it didn't and that was ok. I was still thrilled, excited and so emotional to see that tiny thing relaxing in there.

"That's your nose", Shawn said in a whisper. I got the impression he was lost for words.

"New recommendations", Dr. Hollis said when we were back on her desk. Shawn was holding my hand tightly. "Your uterus is growing and it's a foreign sensation, so you will experience some sharp pains every now and then. Don't worry unless it's too much and you can't handle it. Usually those some and go but shouldn't stay for too long, ok?"

We both nodded and she continued.

"I'll give you some new vitamins because your immune system is having some troubles keeping up with everything. Wash your hands regularly and be careful not to catch a cold".

"I always do that", I said. Since Manny became sicker, all people around him changed our habits.

"Great. So that would be all. I'll see you on our next appointment and hopefully will see if it is a he or a she next time".

I held the ultrasound picture in my hand during the whole ride in the car. I couldn't believe this was happening. This precious thing was growing inside of me and was making me as happy as I had ever been. I didn't know there was a love like this out there, but I had found it and nothing could compare.

"Are you ok?", Shawn asked while we drove to his dad's house.

"Yeah...", I replied still amazed.

"It's pretty cool, huh?", he said with a sweet smirk.

"I'm speechless".

"This is... wow", he shook his head. "Thank you".

"No", I said looking for his hand. "You don't have to thank me".

"C'mon, you've been through so much and you're still here looking flawless as ever. A pregnancy can't be easy but you surely make it look like it", he smiled.

"I've been spoiled enough", I told him.

The truth was that the first weeks were awful, but as bad as I had it, I read other women had it worse, so I tried to be thankful for that. The nausea and constant peeing were beyond annoying but the doctor said those should go away soon, at least until my uterus gets too big and starts pressing on my bladder, but that could wait. God, there was still so much to come my way.

"Hi dad", Shawn called when we walked into Manny's house.

"How are you?", he greeted us.

Manny almost tore up when we showed him the ultrasound sound. He was silent for a few seconds and traced the profile of the baby on the picture with his finger.

"This is amazing", he whispered later.

It was great to see him doing better. Color was coming back to his face and weight too. He had an amazing appetite as well and it was funny to see. Shawn made dinner and it was almost a race to see which one of us ate the most. Shawn wasn't the only one devouring everything now.