“We are happy to have you both here. Please think of this as your place for the time you are here. Come on. The guys will get your stuff out of the trunk.” taking her hand in mine, we follow my brother and Chiara into the house. I am feeling more and more nervous. She is so quiet and I don’t know what is going through her head.
“Syn.” My mother comes running through the door, arms open.
“Mama.” I don’t care how old I get, being hugged by my mother is always going to be the best feeling.
“Jak sie masz?” When she asks me how I am doing, Jakub snorts, always teasing me about being a baby.
“Mam sie dobrze, mama.” She starts telling me I don’t look fine. Her hands move my head back and forth as she inspects me and I hear my angel giggle beside me watching the show that is my mother. Finally, her attention shifts.
“Oh hello. Who are you?” She asks clearly talking to Aisling.
“Mama, this is my future wife, Aisling.”
“Aisling. Is that Irish?” My head jerks back, shocked she would even give a shit.
“Uh yes ma’am.”
“Mama..”
“Shush, zefa.” I outwardly groan at the name she started calling me as a baby. “I am merely wondering what my future grandchildren will look like.” Well shit.
“Ooo. Speaking of. Everything is set up in the bedroom to the left.”
“Ah yes. Excuse us everyone.” Guiding her down the hall, she looks at me, questions racing through her eyes, and I know she is overwhelmed. We walk into the room and the monitors and such are set up.
“What is this?” She asks, turning to me.
“I know you haven’t been to the doctor and had a full exam as you should have, so, I asked my brother to have an O.B. come here and give you an exam and ultrasound. I figured it was time we met our baby. Don’t you think?” Her eyes begin to well with tears. She throws herself into my arms. “Oh baby please don’t cry. I can’t take it.” The fucking tears are like a slice to the gut.
“I’m sorry. I just… I don’t know what to say. I have been so worried about the baby, but too scared to go to the doctor. Thank you so much.” She stands on her tiptoes and kisses me. If it weren't for the doctor on the other side of the room, I would show her how she can thank me.
“Mm. You never have to thank me for taking care of you and my son. Come on, baby. Let’s do this.” Finally, something is working in my favor.
CHAPTER
EIGHT
AISLING
Oh my gosh, I love this man. I can’t believe he did all of this. “Alright kids. Let’s meet your baby.”
The doctor, a nice middle aged woman, asked me a bunch of questions about my pregnancy so far, including the frequency of my sickness. Jozef shocked the hell out of me with how much he knew and how observant he is.
According to her it seems I have something called Hyperemesis gravidarum. She says it is more common than not. She is going to give me a prescription for it. She was not happy when she found out I was not under a doctor's care before now and had no prenatal vitamins. I felt chastised and rightfully so. I watched Jozef become a bit peeved when she started lecturing me. Hand to his chest, I calmed him down in the nick of time. The pot was boiling over.
“Any questions or concerns so far?” She asks as she places the gel on my belly. I look at Jozef, sure he has a million, but he glances at me, giving me the floor.
“Not really. I am more worried about everything being alright.” It’s true. I am still so early on that I am barely showing and haven’t told anyone. He leans and kisses my head before we are both frozen like ice. Our eyes connect, riveted by this moment as the room sounds like it is surrounded by water.
“Is that..” he stops and clears his throat before continuing. “Is that the heartbeat?” His voice is so raw with emotion right now that I am in awe.
“Indeed it is. It sounds like an aquarium because of the amniotic fluid. See here.” She turns the monitor around to face us and points to this barely there bubble that I can see moving in and out. “That is the heart and this little pea pod is your baby.” I gasp as she points out this tiny being growing inside of me.
“Oh my god.” I cry, tears freely flowing. It is finally real. Right here and now, seeing my baby for the first time, it is right in my face. I felt protective before, but now, with a visual and a sound, I feel an emerging mama bear.