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a/n here is the next chapter. Please enjoy.
Chriscelia craned her neck around to try and get a first look at Spencer's surprise for her. "I don't understand why we're in this neighborhood," she asked as she fiddled with one arm of her sunglasses. "We can't afford the prices."
Spencer glanced over at her and smirked. "We're almost there. Trust me."
Chriscelia sighed and faced straight ahead. Her hands went to her belly, as they often did now when she faced stressful situations. Spencer reached over and briefly, touched her hands. "Relax," he soothed as he felt them tremble.
"Hands on the wheel, please," Chriscelia ordered.
Reid continued to smirk until they pulled into the driveway of a beautiful, two-story home. "Wow," Chriscelia sighed. "It's beautiful."
The home, set back from the street, was built from red, black, and white brick, with a covered porch area across the front and topped with dormers on the second floor. It was big, larger than she'd seen in most of her research.
"There's another porch on the back," Spencer said, making her jump a little. "Morgan calls it a covered grilling porch."
"This is one of Morgan's places," Chriscelia gaped. "Seriously."
"Seriously," Morgan parroted as he rounded the southeast corner of the house. "Let's go inside."
"Spencer," Chriscelia began.
"Trust me," Spencer repeated. "You're going to love it."
They went up the three steps to the porch, and in the front door. The first thing Chriscelia she saw were steps leading up to the second floor. Slightly to the left was the hallway that appeared to access the back of the house.
"The kitchen is back and to the left," Morgan explained. "This room to your right can be a study or the nursery. The entrance to the master suite is on the other side of the room. To the left is the dining room, and the two-story great room is located behind the first bedroom. Let me show you."
He took them through the bedrooms, the dining room, and the kitchen. "As I told Spencer, it needs paint, flooring, and appliances."
"I like it so far," Chriscelia said and squeezed Spencer's hand.
"You like it now, but wait until you see the upstairs. There are two more bedrooms and a balcony that looks out over the great room. And, there's a bonus room over the two-car garage attached to the west side of the house. The basement is unfinished, but I thought I'd let you decide what to do with it."
"My head is spinning," Chriscelia said as they climbed the stairs and looked out over the balcony.
"You okay," Spencer asked.
"Yeah," she assured him. "Just a bit overwhelmed."
The entire home seemed open and airy and perfect for a family. Chriscelia looked at Spencer, and he smiled at her. "It's three thousand square feet including the basement, and there are three and a half bathrooms."
"That's three times the size of my apartment," Chriscelia pointed out.
"It's perfect," Spencer said.
"I think we need to talk about this," Chriscelia pulled him into one of the bedrooms.
"What do you think?" Spencer asked.
"I think this is way more than we can afford. Morgan's done a terrific job, but – "
Spencer cut her off with a kiss and said. "I think we can. Morgan's offered us the house for what it cost him plus the cost of materials to finish everything but the basement. We help him paint and put in the appliances and flooring, and we're good."
"But, that's not fair to him," Chriscelia protested.
"I've already had this argument with him. It's what he wants to do."
Chriscelia went back to the balcony and looked out over the great room. She began to imagine all she could do with the room, and how they could decorate the rest of the house, including the nursery. "I want this," she admitted. "It seems too good to be true."
"It's not," Morgan came up behind them. "Sorry, Chriscelia I don't mean to gang up on you, but you have to know that this is what I want. I found this house shortly after Spencer met you and I decided to buy and flip it for you two."
"How did you know we'd get married," Chriscelia wanted to know.
"I didn't, but I had a good feeling about you. You make pretty boy here so happy that I thought I'd take the chance. It didn't matter one way or another, because if it didn't work out, I'd simply sell it, like the other houses I've restored."
"Derek is nothing if not practical," Spencer teased.
"Cute," Morgan responded by ruffling Reid's hair.
They both looked at Chriscelia, and she nodded. "All right, let's do it."
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Spencer found Chriscelia in the living room on her laptop. He noticed that she frowned at what she read on the screen. "Hey," he took a seat in the recliner she'd bought him as a wedding present.
"Hi," she responded, distractedly and without looking at him.
He waited for a few minutes, then said. "What's wrong?"
Chriscelia finally looked up. He saw the tears in her eyes and moved immediately to her side. "What's wrong, Celia?"
"I've been researching ultrasounds. I wanted to know what we'll see now that the baby is around ten weeks old."
"The tech will measure the baby to determine a more accurate date of birth, and to check the heartbeat. It's going to be wonderful, although we won't be able to see much yet."
"I know, but what about the testing. It says here that if the baby is between ten and fourteen weeks, they offer to do a Nuchal translucency scan and blood test to determine if the baby might have Down's syndrome."
Spencer nodded and put his arm around his wife. "Yes, but it's not something we have to do, babe. It's optional. You're twenty-eight, Chriscelia. That's several years younger than what the doctors consider high risk for those types of chromosomal abnormalities. If you don't want to do the test, then we'll say no."
"Do you think we should do it?" Chriscelia asked as he pulled away and looked around for a tissue box.
Reid handed her the box from the end table. "I think you need to listen to your instincts. What are they telling you?"
"I don't know," she cried. "I'm a little freaked out."
"Well, why don't we worry about it when we go to our appointment. We'll hear the heartbeat, and I think you'll know then, what to do."
Chriscelia wiped at her eyes. "You're right," she blew out a breath. "I'm borrowing trouble. I will put aside the laptop and return to sanity."
Reid laughed. "You are the strongest person I know, Chriscelia. You will do the right thing, and I will support whatever you choose to do."
Chriscelia studied his face until he said. "What?"
"Here I am, once again freaking out and not thinking about you. How do you put up with my selfish behavior?"
"I don't "put up," with it, as you say," He pointed out. "I love you, and I know you will power through this. You're amazing."
"Thank you." She sighed. "Still, I didn't think about how you'd feel about those tests."
"I'm a little scared, but I'm confident that if we decide to have them, they will be negative. I believe in us and our lives together. If, however, I'm wrong then we will get through it together. Our child will be amazing no matter the challenges they face."
"You continue to amaze me," Chriscelia whispered. "I know you have to be thinking about the chances of mental health issues, Alzheimer's, Asperger's Syndrome, and the possibility of above average intelligence, and yet, here you are, talking sense to me."
"When I was young, I never thought I'd find someone like you, let alone, have a child. I thought it was better not to have one if I did find someone to love because of my history, but now, I just want to be a father, no matter what. Is that selfish?"
"No, of course not," Chriscelia assured him. "As Penelope says, everything happens for a reason."
"I believe that with all my heart," Spencer agreed.
"All right," she moved out of his arms and stood. "I better go take a shower. I have a quick appointment with my editor to go over some changes to "Showdown," and then Pam's meeting me for lunch. She wants to talk about a baby shower."
"Already?" Reid teased.
Chriscelia finally smiled, "You know her, Spencer, preparation is key."
"Yes, I remember."
"You think that's bad, Joshua and Johnny sent me an email with a huge attachment of nursery decorating tips."
"I'd say we have all the support we need because both JJ and Garcia are competing to be godmother."
Chriscelia groaned. "How are we going to pick?"
Spencer shrugged. "I think we should flip a coin."
Chriscelia raised her eyebrows. "Um, I don't think that'll go over well, magic man."
Spencer winked at her, and she chuckled. "Oh, Spencer, you know how to get me out of the dumps. Thank you."
He kissed her, and she had to back away fast. "No, I'm running late, but remember your place for later."
He pouted, and she nearly gave in because he was so sexy and endearing. "I'm going to take a shower," she repeated and held out a hand as if to ward off a blow. "You may not join me."
Spencer watched her walk away with a grin on his face. He'd succeeded in bringing her out of her worries, and now it was time to think about the upcoming ultrasound appointment.
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The office of Dr. Jane Elway looked inviting to Spencer. Muted shades of pink, blue and cream, made up the color scheme, with chairs, tables, and little couches scattered throughout the room. There were several women in various stages of pregnancy, and the men with them in various stages of alarm, concern, excitement, and boredom.
As for Reid, he felt only excitement and nerves in the region of his gut. The thought of seeing the baby on the screen was almost more than he could stand. It was funny because he'd see something that looked like a tiny dot, but he'd hear the heartbeat, and that made it real.
"Chriscelia Reid," called Max, Dr. Elway's nurse.
They looked up at the tall, ebony-haired woman with midnight black skin and smiling eyes the color of ripe olives. She motioned to them, and they followed her through a maze of halls to a room in the back of the building.
"Hi," she greeted Chriscelia with a hug. "This must be your husband."
"Yes, this is Spencer. Spencer, this is Maxine or Max as everyone calls her."
"I grew up with five older brothers," Max told him. "They called me Max, and the name stuck," she explained.
He liked the sound of her voice, thick with an accent from the UK. She sounded like fog and tea and double-decker buses. "It's nice to meet you."
Max smiled and said. "Likewise. Now," she turned to his wife. "Let's get your weighed and your lab work done. Are you fasting?"
"Yes."
Reid waited in the exam room until Chriscelia returned from the lab. He passed the time by looking out the window to his left and counting the people that walked back and forth on the sidewalk.
"I'm back," Chriscelia said from behind Spencer, making him jump a little. "You okay?"
"Yeah, just counting the people going about their lives."
Chriscelia nervously smiled as she climbed onto the exam table and lifted her blouse to expose her abdomen for the exam.
"Don't worry," Max soothed. "Dr. Elway will be in soon."
When the doctor entered the room a few minutes later, she greeted Chriscelia warmly. "Hi, Chriscelia."
"Hi Dr. Elway, this is my husband, Spencer."
The doctor, a tiny woman about five feet tall with graying blond hair and kind blue eyes, greeted him with an outstretched hand. "It's good to meet you finally."
"You too."
"Now, you both ready for a look at the baby."
"Yes," the responded in unison, which made the doctor laugh.
The ultrasound tech, a young woman with red hair, bright green eyes, and a white lab coat, entered the room and began the test. She smeared gel on Chriscelia's bared stomach and began to move the transducer over her skin.
"There it is," she pointed out a small dot on the screen. "You won't be able to see any features, but so far everything looks good. I'd say your about ten weeks along."
"Let's hear the heartbeat," encouraged Dr. Elway with a smile.
The tech adjusted the volume, and the thrumming of the heartbeat began to play through the speakers.
"Oh my god," Chriscelia exclaimed and began to cry.
"Wow," was all that Reid could say as his eyes stayed glued to the area that contained the tiny baby he'd made with the woman he loved.
"It's strong and normal," said the tech. "Everything looks to be right on track."
Chriscelia squeezed Spencer's hand hard enough to cause pain, but he didn't flinch. He turned to her and leaned down to kiss her. "I love you so much, Chriscelia, you and the baby."
"I love you both," she breathed.
"This is real," Spencer laughed as tears poured over his lower eyelids.
"Yes, it is," said the doctor. "In about thirty weeks, you're going to be parents."
"Mid-June," Reid calculated.
"Yes," the doctor agreed. "We'll know more at the anatomy scan in six weeks."
Spencer and Chriscelia looked at each other and grinned. "I can't wait," Spencer commented.
"Me either."
"Now, I need to ask you if you want to discuss some available tests that we offer at this point in your pregnancy."
"You mean the Nuchal Translucency Test and the accompanying blood test to determine any chromosomal problems," Reid asked.
"Yes. I assume you've both done your homework."
"Yes, we have."
"Then you know it's optional. I don't think it's warranted because Chriscelia is young and healthy. Still, it's up to you."
"No," Chriscelia said firmly. "I don't want to do the test."
Her doctor nodded her head. "All right, we'll leave it there for now."
"Thank you, Dr. Elway."
"You're welcome. I like Chriscelia very much, and I want what's best for her."
"Me too," Spencer agreed.
"Then, make your next appointment," she directed to Chriscelia. "And, I'll see you then."
"Thanks."
After the tech and Dr. Elway left the room, Spencer hugged his wife again. "Thank you," he whispered tearfully.
"Why?"
He put his hand on her belly. "For this, for making me a father."
Chriscelia kissed him. "I should be thanking you for making me a mother. I can't wait to meet our little one."
"Agreed," Spencer said and helped her off the exam table. "Let's go get a late lunch and take a long walk."
"I think that's a great plan."