Chapter 15
Emma
“Would you like to find out the gender of your baby today?” the ultrasound technician asks.
“Oh wow, I didn’t realize we would be able to tell this soon,” I reply, my heart racing with anticipation.
“You are twenty weeks along today, so we should be able to see, unless the little one doesn’t cooperate," she chuckles.
“Yes, I would love to know now.” I focus on the screen in front of me as she moves the wand around, taking longer than I would expect. For the most part, I can make out the images on the screen—the baby’s head, nose, legs, arm, hand. Everything is so tiny.
“There we are," she says finally, her smile widening. "It looks like you’re having a boy! Congratulations!" She continues talking, handing me the pictures, and explaining something about how they will fade in the heat. I don’t catch everything she says, I’m too stunned to pay attention.
A boy. This moment makes my pregnancy feel so real now. Now that I know what I’m having, every emotion hits me at once. Happiness, sadness, anger.
“Thank you so much,” I mumble, staring into space as the technician gathers her things and walks out.
On my way to work, I can’t resist taking a little detour to a baby boutique close by. Browsing through the baby section, I’m struggling to fight back tears. Sadness overcomes me. Pregnancy is supposed to be a happy and exciting time, but I’ve been so miserable and depressed. I shake the bitterness I feel towards Noah and the power he has to tarnish this experience for me. Marcus’s support restores a little faith I have in men. I pick out an adorable one-piece baby outfit with bears on it and hurry to work.
“Watcha got there, Em?” Marcus asks, pointing at the boutique bag sitting on the floor next to my desk.
"See for yourself.” I hand him the bag and watch his reaction as he puts his hand inside.
His eyebrows shoot up as he pulls out the outfit, clearly made for a baby boy. “It’s a.. you’re having a boy?”
“I am," I say, unable to hold back the tears this time.
“Come here.” Marcus doesn't wait for permission and engulfs me in a bear hug, rocking us side to side. “Congratulations. You’re going to be a great mom. I can’t wait to meet the little guy,” he says softly, his voice thick with emotion. An ache flickers in my chest as I think about how I should be sharing the news with the baby's father.
“Thank you, Marcus," I whisper, squeezing him back before breaking from the embrace.
“Let’s celebrate the news over dinner tonight! I want to take you somewhere special—my treat of course.” He winks.
“Sure, that sounds great. But please, pick someplace casual, I can’t do another fancy restaurant tonight.” I smile, grateful for the gesture, but cautious knowing how extra he can be at times.
“I’ll keep it low-key, I promise. I'll see you tonight.” he says with an infections smile on his face.
As I watch him leave, my heart feels a little lighter. I'm not completely alone in this. Marcus is the best friend a girl could ask for. For the first time, I imagine what it will be like to hold my baby boy in my arms for the first time, to fill that tiny outfit I picked for him.