The Devastating Truth

Chapter 5- It's A...

                “El, we’re going to be late!” I heard Zayn say from the kitchen. “We have to go. You look fine, I promise.” That was easy for him to say. He didn’t try on 15 different outfits this morning, trying to find something that looked decent. We had to drop Ryder off at Taylor’s house, then go to the doctor’s office, and then rush to the airport, where Zayn and I would be flying to the States for a week vacation- or as they said here, a holiday- and then back to Europe, but to Paris for a week. I finally agreed on skinny jeans and a flowing shirt to hide my now eighteen week belly.

                “Shut up, Zayn.” I said, slipping on my wedding band and walking into the kitchen. “Is everything packed?”

                “All of our stuff is in the trunk and Ryder’s bags are in the backseat. Ya know, I can tell you packed his stuff. I mean does a five year old really need five bags of clothes?”

                I playfully hit him. “We’re going to be gone for a while!!” I tried reasoning with him.

                “Two weeks, Ellie. That’s it.” He said with a smirk.

                “Well speaking of Ryder, where is he?”

                “In the car… I told you we were running late.”

                I glanced at the clock. We were supposed to be at Taylor’s right this second and we were still standing in the kitchen. “Like always.”

                “Ryder, listen to me, please.” I said while Zayn was turning on to Taylor’s road. “I really hate to leave you here, but you’re a good kid and I know you’ll behave for Taylor and Louis okay. Taylor knows how to get to your school… She’ll take you and pick you up everyday. And I know you’ll want to talk to us, and that’s perfectly fine, just remind Taylor of time zones, okay? I hate to shove you out of the car, but we can’t miss our flight.” The car came to a stop. “Got it?” I glanced at my five year old who looked utterly confused.

                “Um I don’t think I got it, Ellie.” Zayn said, laughing and climbing out of the car, already getting Ryder’s bags.

                I opened up the back door to let Ryder out and he took off to the front door, where Louis, his favorite “uncle”, was waiting. I waved to Louis and then grabbed the remaining bags.

                “Ryder! Come give me a hug… we have to go like now.” He came sprinting back and I saw Taylor appear at the door. She took the bags from me. I swung Ryder up into my arms, even though I probably shouldn’t have. “I love you so much. I’ll call you tomorrow to let you know if you’re getting a brother or sister, okay?”

                He nodded. “Love you too, mommy! See you soon!”

                He was squirming to get down. I didn’t have the energy to fight him, so I placed him on his feet. “Go tell dad bye.”

                My best friend was walking over to me. “Thanks again.”  I said, smiling.

                “Anytime. You better let me know if it’s a boy or a girl! I’m ready to go shopping, Ellie!”

                “Calm down, would you?” I laughed and hugged her, thanking her once more. “I’m really going to be late for my appointment and flight. I’ll call you later!” I said before spinning around to head back to the still running car. Zayn got in the driver’s side right behind me. We pulled out of the driveway, and on the front porch, I saw my baby waving. “Bye, Ryder.” I mumbled even though I knew he couldn’t hear me.

                “You nervous?” My husband said, taking my hand, as we walked into the doctor’s office.

                I sighed. “Not necessarily nervous. This is just another doctor’s appointment. I’m excited, I guess. I can’t wait to officially have a baby Malik.” I said with a grin.

                “I think it’s a girl.” Zayn said. I was taken back. We hadn’t really talked about what it was going to be or names yet.

                “And what makes you think that?”

                “I have little sisters… I do sort of remember my mom’s pregnancies.”

                “Well that makes sense. You never know though… Could be a boy.”

                “Could be.”

                We got signed in and since we were late and there was no one else there, the nurse went ahead and took us back to the small, cold room. “Okay, just have a seat. The doctor will be right in.” I smiled and nodded.

                The clock on the wall didn’t have a chance to pass twenty seconds, when there was a knock on the door. The door opened and revealed my doctor… the same doctor that told me I was pregnant ten weeks ago.

                “How are you?” she asked, shaking my hand and Zayn’s.

                “Tired…” I replied.

                “That’s normal. I promise. So are you two ready to find out what you’re having?”

                “Absolutely.” Zayn answered for me, smiling.

                I laid back on the bed, pulling my shirt up to reveal my small bump. The lights went dim, and the cold gel spilled across my belly. The moment of truth, I thought to myself. The doctor had her eyes glued to the monitor and so did Zayn.

                “Is everything okay?” Zayn finally said, after a solid minute, breaking the silence. I could hear the fear in his voice.

                The doctor zoomed in on the screen, and then she smiled friendly at the both of us. “Your daughter is perfectly healthy. Congratulations, Mr. and Mrs. Malik.”

                I groaned as I saw the awaiting paparazzi swarming the airport. “Just ignore them, babe. It’ll be okay. Just stay in the car for one second and let me load our bags up. Then we’ll run in together. Deal?” he squeezed my hand.

                “Deal.” I said, reassured that everything would be okay.

                And as promised, we were in the airport, through security, and taking our seats on the plane in record time. No one gave us a bit of trouble today.

                “So looks like you were right, Mr. Malik.”

                “I’m always right.” He said with a smirk.

                “Ready to take care of a little girl? I’ve been told that they are so much different to raise than boys.”

                “We can conquer anything.”

                “That we can indeed.” I yawned and Zayn laughed.

                “Already tired, love?”

                “I was tired when I woke up this morning.” I said, making him laugh again.

                “Well take a nap… It won’t be that short of a flight.”