Chapter 7: Baby talk part 2

It was a saturday night and Steve and Traci had invited the gang of 15 division and some other friends to The Penny. Everybody was having fun; drinking, dancing, talking, etc. Gail was sitting at a table with Oliver, Sam and Andy; Holly was playing pool with Chris, Dov and Chloe, while Celery and Nick were talking by the bar. Steve and Traci came back to the table with drinks. All of a sudden Steve asked for everybody's attention. Holly, Chris and Dov were leaning against the pool table and Chloe was standing in Dov his arms. Gail pulled big eyes towards Holly full of wonder what her brother was about to say, which made Holly laugh in response.

"Thank you all for coming! We are delighted that you came." Steve said.

"Yeah you better be!" Oliver interrupted, which got him an angry look from Celery to behave.

"We are, we are." Traci responded with a huge smile across her face.

"Well, we will cut to the chase so we can all go back to drinking. The reason we invited you here is because we have some news. Maybe nobody noticed, but Traci here she hasn't touched one drink this evening. It wasn't planned but we couldn't be any happier. Well... we're pregnant!"

Everybody started cheering and clapping, standing up to congratulate the couple. Gail was pulled into a hug by Steve and looked over his shoulder towards the pool table where Holly was still standing. Gail gave Holly a small smile and she returned the favor. Gail kissed her brother on the cheek and went to Traci. After some small talk about the do date and other baby stuff Gail looked around and wondered where Holly went. When everybody was done congratulating Steve and Traci and went back to talking and drinking like before, Holly still wasn't anywhere to see.

"Steve, has Holly come over to wish you congratulations?"

"No, I don't think so." He said while looking around for Holly. "And I don't see her either. Is everything alright?"

"Mmm, okay."

"Gail? Is everything alright?"

"Yes everything is fine... I hope." With that Steve gave Gail a strange and worried look. "Don't say anything" Gail whispered, "but Holly and I have been trying for a baby for almost a year now and well I think she kind of, I don't know... got a little flustered with your news or something."

"Oh Gail, I'm really sorry. I didn't know."

"Not your fault, like you said you didn't know. Well I better go and look for her. Congratulations again!" Steve squeezed Gail her wrist while she was standing up to give her a little reassurance.

Gail went to look at the pool table and the bar before going towards the bathroom. Holly wasn't there either. So she went to look outside but nobody was there, she started to walk towards their car when she heard a quiet sobbing coming from the alley next to the penny.
There was Holly, sitting on the ground against the wall her knees pulled against her chest.

"Hey baby, here you are." Gail said while she crunched in front of Holly putting one hand on her knee and the other stroking her head which made Holly look up. "I got a bit worried. Are you okay?"

"I don't know what I'm doing wrong Gail? I'm sorry, I'm so sorry!" Holly started crying even harder.

"Baby, no, don't say that. Hol look at me, look at me baby." Gail said cupping Holly her face and wiping the tears away with her thumbs. "You are doing nothing wrong. Our time will come, okay. We will get true this."

"How do you know that?"

"I don't. I really don't but as long as we have each other and are there for each other we can make it. And I will always be there for you no matter what! I love you Holly Stewart and you are doing nothing wrong. We can't give up and this will work out one way or another, you'll see."

Holly nodded, "I love you to. I'm sorry I ruined your brothers announcement. I truly am happy for him it's just.. It.." Holly started crying again. "I really got jealous!" Gail hugged Holly who was now crying against her shoulder. She kissed Holly her head and started rubbing her back.
"You didn't ruin it baby. And I get it, I am kinda jealous to. That's normal I guess."

The two of them stayed in their embrace for a little while longer until Holly stopped crying. "Thanks for being their for me. It all just got to much, it's the hormones and the stress."

"I know. You okay?"

"Yes, I'm better now." Holly sighed. After Holly's words Gail stood up pulling Holly along with her while they stayed in their embrace. Gail pulled back a little to look at Holly who gave her a small smile. Gail wiped the tears away and leaned in for a small kiss. "I love you so much Gail, I love you so, so much!" Holly responded after the kiss to only kiss her again afterwords. Gail smiled, rubbed Holly's arms up and down and entwined their hands.

"How about we go back in to take our stuff and go home, huh? Relax a little bit?" Gail asked.

"No, you don't have to do that. We can stay for a little while. I feel fine now. Plus I haven't said anything yet which is kind of rude."

"Are you sure, I mean, I really don't mind leaving."

"No, it's okay. Let's have another drink, say congratulations and leave in about an hour."

"Okay, but only if you are sure. And just say the words and we will go."

"Yes I will babe." Holly kissed Gail one last time and let herself be guided towards The Penny again. The both of them stayed there for a while, Holly congratulated Steve and Traci and even had a little bit of fun. Gail never left her side always holding her hand. She was really glad they stayed, this because she was actually really happy for her brother in law and also because she did not let the 'trying to get pregnant' thing stand in the way of their social life. Holly knew that staying at home wouldn't help their case at all and wouldn't make her feel any better. After an hour the both of them left. Once at home they took a bath together to relax and went to bed curling up against each other. Holly fell a sleep right away. She knew that Gail was by her side and that she neither was willing to give up without a fight.

Xxxx

Gail and Holly never stopped trying to have a baby, they were in it together and supporting each other but after a year it was really taking it's toll on both woman. Traci was now 5 months pregnant and it was 2 months after the announcement. Holly was really happy for Traci and Steve and tried to not get so upset anymore. But this last week had been rough, she was always really tired, cranky and emotional. Gail also thought Holly was even more devoted these last few days, always wanting to cuddle and staying home wrapped up in blankets. Gail was a little worried that the IVF was taking all of Holly's energy.
She even got more worried when she got a call from the hospital letting her know that they brought in her wife because she fainted at work.

Gail rushed into the ER still wearing her uniform, Chris covered for her. "Excuse me, can you help me I'm looking for my wife, Stewart, Holly Stewart-Peck."

"Oh yes, I called you. Follow me." The nurse left the desk and Gail followed her. "Your wife fainted, officer Peck, and one of her college's found her and called the ambulance. She is already examined by a doctor and he took her blood. As soon as he knows something he will be back. For now she just needs to rest." The nurse opened the door and Gail saw Holly sleeping in the hospital bed, with an iv in her left hand for fluids. Gail slowly walked in the room towards her wife. She sat on the bed next to Holly and took her hand and started tracing her fingers really gently over Holly her face and cheek. Holly woke up. "Gail?" She mumbled very sleepily.

"Yes, I'm here baby. Everything is alright just go back to sleep. I'm not going anywhere." Holly fell back to sleep right away.

Two hours later and Holly was up leaning against Gail's chest who crawled into the hospital bed. Both woman lay there in silence enjoying each others company and trying to forget the chock of Holly fainting. Then their was a knock on the door.

"Good afternoon, sorry to disturb you but I have the blood results." the doctor said.

"Oh hello" Gail said while getting out of bed. She went to stand next to Holly who was now sitting up straight. Both woman were still holding each others hand.

"I have some bad news which isn't all that bad and some good news. The bad news is that Mrs. Stewart has a deficiency of vitamins which is why she has less energy. Also her sugar- and blood levels are rather low and we need to keep an eye on that. The reason why she has these symptoms is because of the good news." The latter making Gail and Holly looking at each other full of wonder and still a little with worry. "The good news is that I have to congratulate the both of you because Mrs. Stewart is now a little over 2 months pregnant, 9 weeks to be precise. I will be back shortly for an echo so you guys can see the baby. Congratulations!" he said and walked away to let the couple enjoy their good news. Gail and Holly just looked at the doctor not believing a word he was saying.

As soon as the doctor closed the door two smiles appeared.

"You're pregnant?" not believing it. "Baby, you're pregnant" She said full of joy. Gail turned towards Holly, who was laughing out loud and crying, to pull her into a hug. Holly pulled out of the hug a little so she was able to kiss Gail. "No, we're pregnant!"
"I love you, I love you! We are having a baby!" Gail started crying as well. The both of them kissed and kept repeating that they were pregnant. Fifteen minutes later there was a knock again and the doctor and nurse walked in the room to take the ultrasound. The doctor pulled the machine close while the nurse took some gel for Holly her belly. Gail held her wife's hand while looking at the screen with anticipation. Then all of a sudden they could here the heartbeat. Holly squeezed Gail's hand and pointed with her free hand towards the heart on the screen.

"Say hello to your baby." The nurse said.

"Well as you probably can hear doctor Stewart, the heartbeat is really strong and the baby is healthy as the blood results told us. You have to come back when you are 18 weeks for a check up and then we can also determine the sex if you guys would like to know that. You have to take it slow and I will prescribe some vitamins which are good for you and the baby. This will help you keep up your energy. I'll let you to it for now, if you have any further questions don't hesitate to ask. Nurse Kelly over here will set you guys up for an appointment and she will also hand you a dvd and some pictures of the ultrasound. Congratulations again!" And the doctor left.

Gail took some paper towels from the nurse and started cleaning Holly's belly while the nurse went to prepare the dvd and pictures. After cleaning the gel Gail rested both hands on Holly her belly, with her thumb caressing the skin. Both woman had huge smiles on their faces. Holly rested her hands over Gail's which made the cop look at her wife. Gail leaned in and before their lips touched she said; "We are having a baby! This is really happening Hols! We are going to be mothers. I love you lunchbox!" and with that Gail closed the distance.

Xxxx

It was 5 weeks after Holly fainted and she is now 14 weeks pregnant. The both of them decided to tell Holly her parents and family first and invited them.

"Babe are you sure you don't want to invite your parents or Steve and Traci? I mean they are our family too."

"Yes I am sure. This, us, telling your parents it is nerving enough I don't want my mother to be here to bring even more stress to the table. Next week it is family sunday and then we can tell them. That way we had some practice. Besides, your family is huge. Where should everyone go?"

"Good point."
Gail and Holly set the table and made mousaka. It was 19:05 and the first knock was a fact.

"I'll go get that babe." Gail said while Holly was looking at the mousaka in the oven.

"Hi, Anne" Gail hugged Holly's mom first and later her dad, "Hi Daniel, how are you guys?"

"Hello Gail, we are great." Anne answered, "How are you? You look beautiful tonight, I like your top."

"Well thank you, it was a gift from Holly." Holly's parent put their jackets away and went insight, towards the kitchen island where they took a seat on one of the barstools. Holly came 'round the kitchen island to great her parents.

"Hey mom, dad! Good to see you!"

"Oh Holly, how are you?" Anne hugged her daughter.

"I'm good, you?"

"We are great Hol. Thanks for asking." Daniel answered.

"It smells great in here." Anne started conversation.

"It's mousaka, we took an oven recipe. That way we don't have to be in the kitchen all night."

"So drinks? Anyone? We have wine, gin tonic, water, lemonade and probably other things Holly brought from the supermarket." Gail asked.

"I'll have the gin tonic please." Daniel said.

"Oh and I will start with water and safe the wine for later."

As Gail was in charge of the drinks, Holly's brother Jeffrey and his wife Clara arrived. Five minutes later Holly's sister Sarah, her husband Lucas and their three kids Maia, Finn and James joined as well. When dinner was ready everybody gathered around the table. As dinner progressed Holly saw that Gail was getting more and more nervous. When it was time for dessert Gail felt like she was going to explode. She stood up from the table and went to the kitchen to get the tiramisu. Holly excused herself from the table to help Gail.

"Babe, are you okay?"

"Yes, I'm fine. You can go back to the table I've got this."

"No Gail, I mean with telling my family."

"Ow, yeah... fine."

"Don't be nervous, you've got no reason to. My family loves you. And they will be so happy for us."

"I'm not nervous." Gail said, but Holly gave her a 'don't give me that crap' look. "Okay, I'm nervous. I'm about to die actually."

Holly wrapped her arms around Gail and pulled her against her own body. "Ow, baby don't be, everything is going to turn out great. Like I said they will be over the moon."

"I know, it's just... I don't really know how to do this Hol. I mean, you know I am not good at sharing things. And I'm not really a touchy, feely kind of person..." which made Holly smirk; "Okay I am with you! But I find it difficult to tell them, and what if they think I won't be a good mother or that I'm not a mother to our baby." She said those last words more quiet.

"That's just nonsense. You know, I know and they will know that you are our baby's mother and don't you ever think otherwise. This is our kid and we will love it with everything we've got. Plus if you even take half as good care of our kid as you take care of me and love me, this baby" Holly pointed towards her belly, "will be the luckiest kid I can imagine. And to tell you the truth, I'm nervous as well, so why don't we go back in there with dessert and just tell them together. Get it over with before everybody went home and we chickened out. Huh?"

"Okay. Thanks nerd, you always know how to make me feel better." Gail leaned in and kissed her wife. She caressed Holly's cheek and after their sweet and caring kiss, she took the tiramisu gave Holly one last kiss on the cheek and went back to the table. Once she put the dish on the table, Gail went to stand next to Holly who grabbed her hand.

"Mom, dad, everybody... Gail and I have invited you all tonight not only to catch up and have a great meal but also to tell you something." Holly's parents looked with pure concentration and hung onto every word Holly said. The siblings and their significant others all recognized their nervousness and had a good feeling what they were about to say.

Holly squeezed Gail's hand to let her know she had to continue. "You see, Holly and I... well, we love each other and we thought... well, you see."

"Spit it out Gail!" Jeffrey interrupted trying to be funny but got a smack on the head by Anne who mouthed he had to behave.

"Okay," Gail breathed out "Holly is pregnant. We are expecting a baby." As soon as Gail finished her sentence everybody got up and clapped and congratulated them. Holly's mom was over the moon as expected. Kissing and hugging both Holly and Gail. All of a sudden Gail got aware of herself and found out that she wasn't nervous anymore. She only felt excitement and love.

Xxxx

Holly and Gail told both their family's they were expecting a baby. Everybody was happy for them. Holly was a bit afraid of what Elaine's reaction would be but she was really happy that she was getting another grandchild. She always seemed to amaze the couple and in some cases even proved them wrong with how flexible she actually is.

The couple had been brainstorming for a couple of days now how to tell their friends the good news. Gail just did not want to tell, she told Holly people would see and know eventually. Holly didn't like the idea. So it was probably going to be at a night at The penny or barbecue or something.

One morning Gail woke up in a good mood, it was sunday and she and Holly were able to just stay home in front of the TV wrapped in a blanket together. Then all of a sudden she realized that her brunette was not in bed anymore. She got up and heard a noise coming from the bathroom. Holly had never really any trouble with morning sickness but this morning she was not feeling good at all. The noise coming from the bathroom made Gail sad at first, sad because she could not make the nausea go away for Holly. Then she had to laugh because she had to think about a video, where people were getting filmed or photographed while puking, she and Gerald watched last week during their break. This memory gave her a great idea. She grabbed her phone and walked in the bathroom.

"Hol, I'm sorry you feel bad and I will do anything to make you feel better but we're getting it over and done with. We're telling people right now!"

One by one all Gail and Holly's friends got a text message from the officer. When you opened it you could find a picture of a selfie with Holly puking in the toilet in the background and Gail in front of the frame with her thumbs up, with the letters on the picture that spelled 'We're pregnant!'. Over and done with, was what she said.

Xxxx