Chapter 7

It was almost Thanksgiving and things had been going well. Trevor met Olivia for her checkup. Dr. Debbie Shields was a terrific OBGYN. Olivia liked her, because she also helped women who couldn't get pregnant as easily as she did.

They took her blood, urine sample, and did an ultrasound. "Everything looks great Olivia. Get dressed and meet me in my office." They both sat down with the doctor and she wrote everything down in Olivia's notebook. Trevor watched, "That's neat! Do you do that for all your patients?" She smiled, "I do! Something I picked up along the way. Plus it gives moms and dads a chance to read over things in English after they leave."

She wrote down some numbers. "So is there anything I need to know? Do you have any questions?" Olivia knew Trevor was dying to ask about the sex so she went first. "We have taken on a surprise." Dr. Shields looked up, "What kind of surprise?"

Trevor laughed, "An 8 year old little girl." Olivia rolled her eyes, "After my last visit, I received a call that my mother died in a car accident." Dr. Shields stopped writing in Olivia's notebook and went to her files. "Oh my goodness! Olivia I'm so sorry for your loss."

Olivia thanked her, "It's ok, we weren't close. I didn't even know she was my mother until I was 10." She started to explain but was hesitant. Dr. Shields saw her hesitation, "Well that was almost a doorknob comment. Do you want to explain? Or at least explain how you're related to this 8 year old you took on."

Olivia shrugged, "It really doesn't matter or have anything to do with the baby. We don't want to hold you up." Dr. Shields frowned, "One, I've never looked at my watch while talking to you. Two, your emotional health and well-being have everything to do with me and your baby. Three, close or not a loss is still a loss."

Trevor smiled, he liked her a lot. "Long story short, I was raised by my grandparents which I only knew as my parents. I found out my sister was really my mother. She moved away shortly after I found out and I never saw or spoke to her again." For the first time Olivia cried and thought, "damn hormones". Trevor held her hand, "Dr. Shields, she's never really told the story out loud."

Dr. Shields got up from behind her desk and sat beside her. "When both of my parents died, I found out my mother was raped at 15 and had me. It explained a lot." Olivia took a deep breath. "Apparently when she left things were ok for her until they weren't. She had an affair with a married man, did some drugs, and drank. She got pregnant again 21 years after me. She had my sister and like me gave her away to her father. He died and she had no choice, but to take custody. Even though the better choice would have been to face me and give her to me."

Dr. Shields never interrupted her, not once. "She picked my sister up drunk and crashed. She was killed instantly. Luckily my sister only had some bruises. We didn't know about each other, but I'm glad we do now. Her name is Amanda and she's a sweetheart. Has some trauma from neglect, but she's doing well."

Trevor, already the proud dad, pulled out his cellphone, "This is her at Central Park last weekend. We took family fall photos. We plan on taking Christmas photos to introduce the baby." Dr. Shields looked at Olivia, "I'm glad you have a happy ending for your sad moment. I'd love to meet her, maybe bring her to an appointment. She might like that."

Trevor had to ask, "Ummm Dr. Shields?" Olivia covered her face. "Yes, Trevor." Trevor sighed, "Is sex safe?" Olivia looked up, "I told him it was fine." Dr. Shields shook her head, "She's correct. It is perfectly fine and normal."

They stood up and said their goodbyes. Dr. Shields hugged Olivia, "Take care of you and Amanda." She stopped Trevor, "My advice, give her whatever she wants and keep the peace." Trevor laughed, "Yes ma'am!"

Olivia called Lucy, "Hey, just checking in. We left the doctor's office and we are headed to school for the parent teacher conference." Lucy knew then, "Ohhhh, that's why she's been acting funny." Olivia sighed, "What does that mean?" Lucy laughed, "She's been extra helpful at the center, homework wasn't a fight, and she's helping with dinner." Olivia laughed, "No iPad?" Lucy looked over at her, "Nope! I wonder what you're going to hear." Olivia looked at Trevor, "Wish us luck. See you soon."

They checked into the office and headed to meet Ms. Novak. "Mr. And Mrs. Langan, come in. It's so nice to see you again." They sat at the back table. Ms. Novak really had her stuff together. She showed them work samples, test scores, even artwork.

Trevor loved the picture she drew of them. He was on one side, Olivia was on the other. She even had Lucy there. He melted when he saw mommy, daddy, and Lucy above each of them. "She's an excellent student, straight A's."

Olivia already knew that part, she was surprised with the straight A part. Lucy described homework as a fight every day. They had to put the hammer down and get her attention by taking the iPad away for a week. Then they told her if she didn't straighten up, she would get a spanking. "That's very nice to hear. "How is she doing socially?" She doesn't talk much about friends."

Ms. Novak smiled, "She's quite an entertainer. Sometimes, it gets her warnings, but she always fixes it, plus she's a charmer. I really like her and she brings us laughter." Trevor shook his head. "Her best friends are Kat and Dominick. I don't know why she hasn't mentioned them. I'm almost positive they live in your building. I thought that's where they met."

They thanked her for her time and told her to call anytime she needed to. They headed home. Amanda heard the door and ran to hug them. She wanted Olivia to pick her up. Trevor gave her the eye and she was sure it was because of the baby. Olivia picked her up anyway. "You're in pjs already."

Amanda clung to her, "Hey what's wrong? This isn't you." Amanda just buried her face in her neck. Her legs dangled down from Olivia as she sat in the chair. Trevor went to talk to Lucy. "Amanda, look at me." Olivia smiled, "Your teacher said good things." Amanda smiled, "She likes me?" Olivia kissed her, "Yes, she does and she said you have straight A's."

Trevor joined them. "Amanda, we're proud of you. You've done great with all the change. Now come fix me a plate. I heard you helped with dinner." They ate, talked, and laughed as a family. Lucy stayed, because she normally did. She told Olivia she didn't really get along with her mom, since she stopped school.

Trevor watched Amanda's favorite TV show and gave her some extra attention. "Lucy, did she tell you anything?" Lucy shook her head, "Not really, she said she jokes a lot during class and sometimes Ms. Novak has to speak to her. I think it worried her." Olivia tried to remember the kids, "Lucy, have you seen her play with Kate and…" Lucy answered, "Kat and Dominick. Yeah they are in her class. She plays with them at the center every afternoon. Getting all of them to do homework is a lot of fun."

Olivia laughed, "She never mentioned them. We'll talk to her tonight. Thanks Lucy." Lucy closed the dishwasher, "Olivia can I stay here tonight?" Olivia narrowed her eyes, "Yes, but it looks like we need to talk soon too." Asking made it an entire week. Olivia wondered what was going on. "Don't look sad. We love you and you can talk to us about anything.

Olivia went into the family room and saw Amanda asleep in Trevor's arms. "She must have worried herself to sleep. Trevor picked her up, "Night Lucy!" They put her in bed and Olivia kissed her, "I didn't get to hold her tonight." Trevor smiled, "I did! Let's talk to her in the morning."