Bayli gave me a huge grin, and I couldn’t help but feel butterflies in my stomach. I wanted a baby desperately.
Because of the Fragile X gene being in the family, I had already been tested to see if I was a carrier of the gene and I wasn’t. As soon as I got that result back, I stopped taking my birth control pills. Noah and I decided not to stress about it. We’d let it happen when it happened. We’d only been married for almost three months, and I honestly was enjoying the time we got to spend together.
“Grace, are you feeling okay?”
Shaking my head, I said, “No. I think I’m getting sick. I feel like shit and this morning I threw up.”
Alex stood there staring at me. “Why are you looking at me like that you freak? I’m not going to get y’all sick. I think it was something I ate.”
Alex slowly shook her head and said, “Grace! You’re pregnant!”
Tossing my head back, I said, “No way, Alex. I just got off the pill a few months ago.”
Pulling her cell phone out of her back pocket, Alex hit a number. “Libby? We have a code baby bundle.”
“Baby bundle?” I asked as Alex rolled her eyes. Apparently, Libby didn’t know what that meant either.
“Oh my gosh. I declare a new code word. Baby bundle is now the code name of when we have a possible pregnancy.” Alex giggled. “Nope, not me. Grace.”
I heard Libby scream and I couldn’t help but chuckle. “I’m not pregnant. I’d know if I was, Alex. I’d feel it.”
“Ha!” Alex said as she turned and walked toward the door that led into the back office of Wild Flower. “Okay, we’ll be there in thirty minutes.”
Shaking my head, I looked at Bayli. “Your mommy is crazy, Bayli. Do you know that?” Bayli let out a giggle and then blew bubbles as she made funny sounds. “Come on, little bit. Let’s go prove her wrong. That is Aunt Grace’s favorite thing to do, prove your mommy wrong.”
Bayli kicked her legs and waved her arms. “Oh, you too, huh? I knew I liked you for a reason.”
An hour later I found myself standing in Libby’s bathroom staring down at a pregnancy test. The plus sign was like a flashing beacon. A warning sign that kept saying over and over, Pregnant. Pregnant. Pregnant.
The soft knock at the door caused me to jump and let out a gasp. “Grace? Can I come in?” Alex’s voice was soft and gentle.
Reaching over, I unlocked the bathroom door as Alex slowly opened it. Looking over at her, a single tear rolled down my cheek. “Oh Grace. I’m so sorry honey. I thought for sure you were.”
Wiping the tear away, I held the stick up to her as her mouth dropped open and she let out a gasp. Then her smile faded. “Grace, are you not happy about this?”
Nodding my head, I said, “No. I mean, yes! I guess I’m just in shock. Why don’t I feel pregnant? Shouldn’t I feel it?”
Alex took my hand in hers and smiled sweetly. “Oh, Grace honey. I didn’t know either the first time. I think most women probably think they’re sick, just like you did. I’m so happy for you!” Alex pulled me to her as I wrapped my arms around her. Libby walked up and started jumping and pretended to scream. One of the girls must have been asleep.
When Alex let me go, Libby took her turn with the hugging. “Call Dr. Johnson’s office right now and make an appointment. He’s starting to cut back on patients. My mom said he’s retiring this year. Grace, he has to deliver your baby. He’s delivered most of us! It’s tradition!”
Nodding my head in agreement, I pulled out my phone. “Oh wait! I need to tell Noah!”
Well fell into a fit of laughter until Libby put her hand up to her lips. “The girls are both napping. Come on, I’ll grab the monitor and let’s go sit on the front porch. Grace, you can call and make the appointment at least!”
Alex agreed and shoved my phone into my chest.
I spent the rest of the afternoon with Alex, Libby, Mireya, and Bayli. It was one of the best afternoon’s I’d had in a long time. It was full of laughter, chasing my precious little niece and holding Bayli until Alex demanded I give her back.
Pulling my phone out of my pocket, I saw Noah had sent a text.
Noah: Hey babe! I’m exhausted from helping Will and Luke today. Jesus how do they do this whole cowboy shit every day?
Grinning, I hit reply.
Me: My poor baby. I’ll treat you right tonight. Let’s head into Fredericksburg for dinner. I have a surprise for you.
It didn’t take Noah long before he called.