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The Wests
Wally wants to know the baby's sex. He's at a doctor appointment with Artemis that he has taken the afternoon off of work to attend. Artemis is already in the chair with her shirt pulled up in preparation for the gel the technician will apply. He's been present at all of the ultrasounds so far, but it still amazes him that in a few minutes, they will be seeing their baby on the screen.
Their baby…that he still does not know the sex of. He's been trying to talk Artemis into finding out for weeks. She says she wants a surprise but Wally's never been good at being patient. He's been peeking at his birthday and Christmas gifts all his life, and he's always preferred to talk to someone directly than wait for a reply to a text message or email. In short, he wants to know and he wants to know now.
Artemis is only four and a half months pregnant. The hero knows he won't be able to wait another four and a half months to find out if he has a daughter or a son. It's impossible.
The Flash looks at his wife. He's using the puppy dog expression that he saves for occasions when he really wants to get his way. It has never worked on Artemis, but there's always a first time for everything. The redheaded man crosses his fingers.
His wife glares at him. "No, Wally."
He sputters a bit. "You don't even know what I was going to say," he tells her when he's able to form words. "I could have been planning to comment on the weather for all you know."
"But I know you," Artemis points out. "And you weren't going to say anything about the weather. You're still trying to pressure me into seeing whether the baby's a boy or a girl."
Wally pouts. Artemis smirks. "I really want to know," he says in a small voice. "Don't you?"
She shakes her head. Then she leans over and kisses his cheek. "We'll find out soon enough," she says. "It'll go by so fast. Promise."
He's not convinced, but he doesn't get a chance to argue because the technician walks in. She greets them warmly and smiles as she takes her seat. She asks a few questions as she applies the gel to Artemis's stomach.
Artemis does most of the talking. Wally's still trying to figure out how to get Artemis to agree to find out the baby's sex. Suddenly, Artemis grasps his hand. The slightly grainy images of their baby are coming up on the screen.
"Everything looks normal," the technician informs them. She moves the wand across the blonde woman's belly to get a different angle of the baby. "The heartbeat is nice and strong. The organs are developing normally."
Artemis is beaming at him. That's rare for her, and despite himself, Wally feels a little better. He can't wait to see that little baby in person.
The technician has been looking at Artemis's file. "You're about eighteen weeks along. I should be able to tell the sex of the baby. Would you like to know?"
The blonde archer shakes her head. "I want it to be a surprise. My husband, on the other hand…"
"I want to know," Wally says immediately. "You can write it down and give it to me."
Artemis looks at him skeptically as the ultrasound technician busies herself with the equipment once more. "Do you really think you can keep a secret for that long, Wally? You have a really big mouth sometimes. And I definitely don't want to know. I would prefer you didn't find out if you don't think you can keep quiet about it."
He gives her his best insulted expression. "I am shocked and appalled at your lack of faith in me," he informs his wife in an overdramatic tone. "Of course I can keep a secret for a few weeks." Wally looks at the technician. "I want to know," he repeats. "I won't even look at it here."
The older woman nods. She turns back to the monitor and peers at it for a moment. Then she picks up a pen and writes something on a bright yellow sticky note. Wally takes it from her, folds it in half, and jams the note in his pocket. Artemis shakes her head and rolls her eyes.
Wally ignores his wife's actions. Nothing can ruin his mood right now. As soon as he can get a moment alone, he will know whether he will need to get a baseball mitt or invest in a gun.
Artemis is cleaning herself up. "Well, go outside in the hallway and read it, then," the reporter instructs her husband. "I'll be a few more minutes. But make sure you have that paper put away before I get out there. I don't want to know until the baby is born."
It takes all of Wally's self control not to use his powers to run halfway across the country to see what's written on the paper. He manages to step out of the room like a normal person, and once the door is closed, he takes out the note and unfolds it.
The redhead reads the word once, and then a second and third time. He's so happy that he wants to shout. He restrains himself from doing so.
He's just folding the paper up again when Artemis comes out. "So did you read it?" she asks as he slings his arm around her shoulders. They start walking down the hospital corridor together.
"I did," the speedster replies. "But I'm going to behave myself. I'm not going to hint one way or the other, or leave the paper lying around or anything." The Flash can't help but sound proud of himself.
"I knew those obedience lessons would pay off," Artemis quips. The redhead glares at her but he knows she's only kidding. "Are you happier now that you know?" the archer wants to know. "Is it worth it?"
"I think so."
She looks like she might be reconsidering. "Let me see," she says finally.
"After all that grief you gave me about wanting to be surprised? I don't think so." His wife's face creases into a frown. As usual, Wally's brain whizzes ahead at top sped and formulates a hasty plan. "You know how you've been nagging me to help put the baby's room together?"
The archer's frown deepens. "I wouldn't use the word 'nagging' but yes, I know what you're talking about," she answers.
"How about I put it together myself and when it's done, I'll let you see. You won't have to lift a finger and you won't have to wait til the baby is born to find out if it's a girl or a boy."
Artemis considers Wally's offer. "I won't have to lift a finger?" she repeats, clarifying. Wally nods, pleased with himself for coming up with such a smart idea. "Then you have a deal."
And with the arrangement made, the Wests step out into the bright sunshine together, thinking their lives couldn't be better.
