It's So Much More Than That (A Selection Story)

Chapter 24

Chapter 24:

Pregnant?  

It takes my mind a moment to register what the doctor just said.

"Your Majesty, are you alright?" He gently prods.

"Um...yes. Sorry, I'm just a little bit surprised, that's all." I know I shouldn't be surprised though. This was what we were hoping for, right? Even though the whole country has been waiting for this day for like forever, it still baffles my mind that I'm carrying the next heir to the thrown in me for the next seven or eight months. Don't think about it like that. I mentally scold myself. It's not just the heir to the thrown. It's Maxon and your son or daughter.

"I assume the king doesn't know yet." He says. "Unless you want me to disclose this information with anyone, I'll make sure I won't tell a soul." He reassures when he sees my somewhat nervous expression.

"Thanks." I say. "I don't think I want anyone to know quite yet..." I knew that if a single person knew about this in the palace, the news would spread like wildfire. An idea popped into my head. This would be such a great birthday present for Maxon. I thought. The look on his face would be priceless. "Don't tell Maxon just yet. I'm thinking about surprising him later." I add.

Dr. Ashar nods. "You're probably not too far along, so how about you come in sometime next week and we'll check you out? For now, I'll just give you something to help with the morning sickness. Once the king knows, we'll discuss when is the best time to share this news with the country, okay? Don't worry about it too much, just make sure you relax sometimes and get some sleep." He smiles.

I decide to just go along with everything because I'm too anxious to contradict his advice. "Okay. I'll schedule another appointment next week."

"Wonderful!" He hands me the pills for morning sickness and some brochures about pregnancy.

"Thanks again." I say, getting up.

"My pleasure. And congratulations, Your Majesty. King Maxon and you will make wonderful parents."

I smile and turn to leave. The rest of my day, my mind is reeling over what had just happened. I didn't expect Maxon to show up for dinner, but he did anyway.

"Hello love." He said.

"Hey. I'm glad you got to join me for dinner."

"Me too."

I notice his slightly creased brow and untidy appearance. "Is everything okay?" I ask.

He shrugs. "I was just getting tired of some of the advisors inferring that I'm not old enough to completely command Illea, especially on the international level. Some of them suggested that I am not controlling various threats overseas with enough force while others are saying that I had too much power over there. I called the meeting off because I was tired of their bickering. I'd much rather spend my time with you."

"Well, I'm certainly glad you did." We both eat our dinner peacefully, talking about our day. I don't tell Maxon that I went to the doctor's, but if he happened to look through my schedule, I could just tell him that it was for a checkup or something. We're all alone in the royal dining room, and it always feels like one of the places where no one else is watching. For generations, only the royal family was allowed in here, so I have no doubt that Maxon has spent countless evenings in here with his parents. If only he knew that he had his own family on the way...

"Are you okay, darling? You seemed to be sidetracked by something."

"Oh. Um. Nothing. I was just daydreaming, that's all." I'd have to be more careful around Maxon. He always seemed to know if anything was off.

"Daydreaming about what?" He asks.

"You." I lean in and kiss him softly, making all the tension disappear.

That night, Maxon suggests that we retire early, and I couldn't agree more. Today has been eventful, that's for sure. Right before I fall asleep, curled up right next to my husband, I find myself placing a hand over my flat stomach.

"Goodnight little peanut." I whisper, quiet enough so Maxon can't hear. If he or she could let their daddy know about them, I know that he'd be the happiest man alive.

The next week passed quickly. I don't think anyone noticed anything different about me, not even my maids. I tried my best to hide my symptoms and act like nothing was bothering me. In the last few days, I've noticed that I've even been starting to crave certain things. Or other smells make me wrinkle my nose. I wonder when I'll start to get more emotional (not like I already am). Poor Maxon. He'll have to deal with a tired and emotional wife that's probably five times as worse as she is now. I chuckle, imagining all the excuses that I could come up with in the next many months. Blame it on my hormones, at least.

Anyways, I scheduled my appointment with Dr. Ashar for today, and couldn't be more nervous and excited.

"How are you feeling today, your Majesty?" He asked when I walked into his office.

"Okay. Yesterday I had a little bit of morning sickness, but it's not as bad as before."

He nods. "Good. It should get better after you reach the second trimester." He explains. "Just make sure you're watching what you eat and drink. I know you probably don't want to slow down, but getting rest is key too. Remember, this is your most important job right now."

"Okay."

"How about let's take a look at the baby?" He motions me over to the cot and I lay down as he goes and grabs some equipment. My heart is beating fast and I can't wait to see my baby. I wish that Maxon was here with me to experience this moment.

The doctor puts some cold gel on my stomach and gently runs a device over it that makes an image come up on a small screen. At first all I see is grey fuzz, but then a small shape appears on it.

"There it is." He says. My mouth pops open in awe. I really do have a small person inside me!

"Do you know how far along I am?" I ask.

"Hmm...it looks like you're probably about 5, almost six weeks along. I don't see anything wrong with the fetus at the moment..."

"Dr. Ashar...when do you think we'll know the sex of the baby?" I quietly ask. The gender of our child is a big deal, mostly because of the laws of inheritance. I knew that both of us would be happy with a boy or a girl but the country and advisors thought differently. The Laws of Inheritance amendments had been put on hold for the last year or so, mainly because none of the advisors were willing to tackle it. We'd have to reinstate it on top of the agenda, once everyone knew that I was expecting. Maxon was willing to give up his crown to our daughter, but some other people wouldn't necessarily like that.

"It's a little early to tell, but how about you come back in a few weeks, and we'll have a check up, maybe when the King is present too?"

"Of course. I've been waiting to tell him on his birthday." I explain.

Dr. Ashar smiles. "That would be wonderful. Again, congratulations Your Majesty. I assure you that your baby is healthy and developing at a good rate."

"Thank you doctor."

"Oh! And here, you can take this." He prints out a small, grainy, picture and gives it to me. I can barely see the little baby, but I know that they're there. I schedule another appointment in a few weeks time and smile as I walk out of the infirmary.

Maxon's birthday is in less than a week and I can't wait to let him know. He told me that he really didn't need any birthday presents, but I disagree with him. Once he knows about little peanut, I know that he'll love them even more.

I look at the little photo again; proof that there's a little person in there. I am already starting to fall in love with him or her.

"I can't wait until we tell your daddy about you." I whisper, placing my hand over my stomach. There's no one else in the corridor, so no one will think I'm crazy for standing in the middle of the hallway, rubbing my stomach. Just a few more days. I tell myself. A few more days until we get to be one little family. I realize that there's nothing else that I've ever wanted more.