Author's Note: On their one year wedding anniversary, Joss told John she was pregnant. In 'Oh, Baby!' we get to experience a pregnant Careese. I don't know how long this story will be. I'm playing it by ear.
"I can't get over this."
Joss brushed her fingers through John's hair as he continued to kiss and stroke her stomach. In the two hours since she told him about the pregnancy, he has been a man rapt in awe of the fact they had created a life together. His head had practically become attached to her belly as they sat on the sofa in their living room. She knew he would be happy, but there was no measure for the utter glee he felt. "I'm pretty stunned myself, John," she answered.
"I don't know how I'm going to make it through these next seven months. I feel like a kid waiting for Santa on Christmas Eve. You know he's coming, but he just can't get here fast enough."
"You are really excited."
"Oh, Joss, I can scarcely explain it. Meeting and marrying you, getting a great son in Taylor, and a fantastic little granddaughter in Nikki, I never imagined I would ever be so fortunate. I was almost afraid to even dream of it, but you made me want those things. And when I thought I'd lost you forever, nothing mattered. Life didn't matter, because my life was over. All I had day and night was limitless regret. I felt as dead as you were to me. But I got a miracle. A chance to make things right." He pressed another kiss to her stomach and then sat beside her on the couch. "Look at us now! Celebrating our first wedding anniversary and expecting a baby. We're having a baby. It blows my mind in the most amazing way."
"When I think of the fact our son or daughter is going to be over a year younger than his or her niece, that blows my mind," Joss said laughing. "Oh, my gosh. Taylor's in college with a baby of his own, and we're having a baby. God has a sense of humor."
John kissed her neck as he rubbed her tummy. "This is a blessing, Joss."
"I know." She laced her fingers with his. "We're having a baby, John."
"We are having a baby!"
John barely got a wink of sleep the night before. Today he and Joss would find out the sex of their baby, if the baby cooperates, and he was anxious to know. He didn't have a preference. With Taylor and Nikki, he had both options covered, although a part of him wanted a girl. The idea of having a little Joss thrilled him. More than anything, he wanted a healthy baby. So far the pregnancy had been progressing extremely well. The first time he felt the baby kick, he could've soared as high as the floats at the Macy's Thanksgiving Day Parade. Joss had an AFP blood test performed at her last prenatal appointment, a month before, and they would also get those results today. John expected nothing but good news. Had the test results been bad, they'd have heard something by now.
The obstetrician, Dr. Josie Conklin, had come highly recommended by Angie and David. She had relocated from Llanview, Pennsylvania about six years earlier, and was in extremely high demand. John wanted to be surprised when the booked solid doctor managed to get an immediate opening for their first prenatal appointment one hour after being told by the medical office assistant that the doctor couldn't accommodate them, but Godfather Finch could make things happen. About four months later, John still didn't know exactly what Harold had done, but he was grateful.
"How are we feeling today?" asked Dr. Conklin as she stepped into the exam room with Joss's file. The sixty-something doctor looked at least a decade younger than her years suggested. John thought she resembled Diahann Carroll.
"Anxious," Joss answered, squeezing John's hand. "So, how is everything?"
"Everything is wonderful. With late in life pregnancies, us doctors tend to be extra vigilant, and your quad numbers were all normal."
Joss nodded. "That's good."
"It is. You're having a very healthy pregnancy. The previous sonograms all looked fine and the baby's heartbeat has been strong."
"So, no amniocentesis?"
"Though a very effective tool, it's unnecessary for you. Had the AFP come back abnormal, then I would've recommended the amnio, but the risks far outweigh the benefits for you, Jocelyn. I expect everything to continue to go swimmingly." Dr. Conklin clasped her hands. "Now, are we ready to see if someone is going to be an exhibitionist today?"
"Yes!" Joss and John answered enthusiastically.
"This one tossed and turned all night long," Joss said, motioning her thumb at John.
"We have 18 more weeks to go," John explained. "Today is a milestone for us, so I'm excited. I admit it."
"Do we have a preference?" Dr. Conklin asked, moving to the ultrasound machine.
"Just a healthy baby," Joss answered. "I know that's trite, but it's the truth."
"All signs point to that happening, so we're not leaning in any particular direction in regard to the baby's sex?"
"Well…" Joss glanced at John. "We have our little granddaughter now, and I think it would be great if John got to raise a little boy.
"A son? I was actually thinking a little you would be amazing."
"One of you will definitely get your wish," said Dr. Conklin. "Let's find out whom."
Joss pushed down her pants and lifted her shirt as the doctor retrieved the jelly from the warmer. "Okay, let's do this," she said.
All eyes focused on the monitor. A couple of moments later Dr. Conklin chuckled. "Well, this baby is definitely not feeling shy today."
"Is our child... Is that a thumbs-up, Doctor?" Joss questioned, her eyes fixed on the monitor.
"That's my guess, yes."
John pressed a kiss to Joss's cheek as his chest inflated like a hot-air balloon. He didn't have to be a doctor or ultrasound technician to read this screen. "That's my boy."