Inked

“I’m going to be with you the entire time. Plus, we’ll be at my new office, so we’re going to have a lot to talk about. It isn’t like we’re going for an awkward tea or something like that.”

“Hmm, that’s true, I suppose, but it’ll still be scary. I mean what if she doesn’t like me?”

I can understand why she’s so fearful after her terrible experience with my father, but she’ll soon learn that she is totally different. Mom doesn’t care about her tattoos or her not looking like a boring high class wealthy woman. Mom also doesn’t care about the opinion of high society. She only cares about my happiness.

“She will. There are no reasons that I can think of that she won’t. You’re amazing.”

I lean across and kiss her gently on the lips, loving her with every inch of me. I’m just about to reassure her some more, because I know that she won’t be hated… but the doctor calls us in and it’s time for the ultrasound.

We enter into a small room which is weirdly lit, and Lexi lies back on the bed. Her top rolls up and I can see the end of the snake which really makes me chuckle. The end of the snake is where all of this started. If it wasn’t for that snake, then there’s a chance that we wouldn’t be here now.

A jelly like substance is spread across Lexi’s stomach, which makes her gasp because it’s so cold. I feel bad for her, especially as she squeezed my hand, but that soon subsides, and I don’t notice anything aside from the image growing on the screen. My baby is appearing and it’s all that I can think about.

“Oh, my goodness, is that our child?” I gasp, tears forming in my eyes as the black and white image appears. “Is that our baby there. Lexi, can you see? Oh, my goodness, can you see?”

She smiles and nods at me, the emotion getting to her as well. Now it’s all even more real than it was before, and that much more exciting. We really are going to have a baby. How perfect is that?

“Do you want to know what gender the baby is? Because if not, you might want to look away now.”

I glance at Lexi one more time, just to check, and she nods happily. “We want to know.”

The doctor running the ultrasound then fiddles around before smiling. “It’s a girl.”

The world stops spinning for a moment, but this time in a really good way. Knowing that we’re going to have a baby girl is everything. Now the image of our future family is even clearer. Seeing a baby girl in my arms, in Lexi’s arms, it feels amazing. And it’s also a bit like the circle of life.

“We should call her Jane,” I tell Lexi desperately. “Don’t you think? To honor your sister?”

She grips on to me even tighter. “Jane, are you serious? I would love to call her Jane. But are you sure?”

“I want to honor Jane, to remember her in the best way, to have her in our lives forever.”

The tears really flow then. “Oh, Isaac, you are perfect, I love you so much.”

“I love you too, Lexi. And I love Jane as well. Our baby and your sister.”

We hold on to one another, safe in the knowledge that we’re facing this world together, that we’re going to be okay as long as we have one another. And baby Jane will make our lives perfect. Our past might have been incredibly difficult, we have faced all kinds of challenges together, but the future looks good.

“So, this will eventually be one of the therapy rooms,” I tell Mom and Lexi proudly. “Which is going to be a major part of what we do. And I have already been in contact with some therapists who are willing to volunteer their time because they believe so much in the c

ause. I’m very happy about that.”

Lexi and Mom both glance at one another and smile, getting along like a house on fire. I knew that they would, but this sight is awesome. Seeing them having fun is everything that I want.

“Has your father been here to see this yet?” Mom asks. “He will be so proud to see it.”

“He hasn’t, but I know that he will eventually, since he’s an investor.”

That’s something I would never have expected to happen, but he insisted. This might be me going out on my own, but still I wouldn’t be able to do it without him. That’s okay though, it’s a business relationship, not a family one. Plus, I don’t think there is any issue with taking a bit of help now and again.

“That’s good, because this is amazing. I’m so happy for you. And what you’ve done.”

“Me too,” Lexi joins in. You have done something amazing here. I’m proud.”

I smile at my inspiration, and hold her hand in mine. This woman is everything. She has changed my life in so many ways, she has made everything much better for me, and I don’t know where I would be without her. It’s scary to even think about it. I need her, she’s my entire freaking world.

“I would love to volunteer myself, too, when I can help,” Leah continues. “I don’t know what I’ll be able to offer, but it might be something. Since I’ve been through this myself.”

“That would be incredible, thank you. Any help from anyone would be awesome, especially you. I’m aware of what an uphill battle it’s going to be, it won’t be the easiest, but I’m determined.”