Chapter 23

The next morning I awoke next to Charlie feeling sore. My back began to ache in mild discomfort. I went into the bathroom and opened our medicine cabinet. I saw Charlie's pain pills. I thought about it for a moment before I took one of the pills after cutting it in half. I looked as if I hadn't slept. My skin was pale and yellow. My veins were very prominent especially around my breasts. I felt dizzy and had a terrible headache. I felt awful. I couldn't put it off any longer. I had to go to the doctor.

Before I made my appointment I wanted to check something first. I had my doubts at first but I realized I had felt these symptoms before when I was carrying Bryan. I entered the bedroom where Charlie lay shirtless, sound asleep. I pulled my hair behind my ears and gently tapped his shoulder.

"Charlie?" I whispered. "Charlie?"

He murmured softly and rolled over on his stomach. He put his arms up and his hands underneath his pillow.

"Charlie." I said again. This time a little louder. Startled he gasped at my presence.

"God Har...you scared me...what are you doing up? You still feel bad?"

"Charlie...I think...I think I'm pregnant."

"That's okay...why don't you get back in bed and sleep it off."

Charlie quickly sat up in bed and stared at me.

"You're pregnant?!" He reponded loudly and more awake.

"It...feels like it did before with Bryan...and it almost feels like the time I was pregnant with our first baby...I was real sensitive to smells, I was always tired...I felt bloated...I feel like it's the same... I think we should go to the doctor to find out..."

"Uh...yeah...yeah let me get dressed."

Charlie got up and promptly finished dressing himself in less than 10 minutes. He put on his pump and entered the bedroom. I contiued to wear Charlie's t-shirt and just put on a pair of shorts. I slid into my flip flops and hastily dialed Jennifer's number.

"Hello?"

"Hey Jen...Good morning."

"Morning Harmione, how are you?"

"Tell you the truth Jen...not good right now Charlie has to get me to urgent care and I was hoping you could watch Bryan while we're gone."

"Yes of course hon, I'm on my way!"

"Okay thanks."

"Mmhm."

"Bye."

I sighed and put the phone down. I ran my fingers through my hair. Having another baby wouldn't be the problem. Charlie and I have always wanted more. I just don't know of this is the right time. And after everything that happened with Bryan, I don't want to bring about more pain to another child. Although I've tried to remember what Dad said. I can't live in fear. There are things that will happen. I can't predict it. I can't control it. I can't stop it. I'm not gonna try to fix things I can't change. I'm trying to learn to just accept things as they are and worry about the things I can change. This new baby will be loved. Bryan will absolutely love his sibling. Our family will continue to grow, and things were going to be okay no matter what the outcome. It might have been scary at first, but I am not going to be afraid anymore. I'm not going to fret about each and every little thing. I love my life far too much and the people in it. Adding a new addition to our family would not change my feelings. I told Charlie that too. Despite where we were going and what we were trying to figure out; we had nothing but excitement and anticipation in our hearts.

On the drive there I began to get even more nauseous than I was before. The street lights seemed to fold in on themselves. They would droop down and try to curve under their own poles. The lines on the road became squiggles and waves. I felt feverish with chills. It was hot out, but Charlie had the air on full blast in his truck. Even with the cool air blasting me in the face the heat wasn't going away.

Charlie rolled down my window to help aide the problem. My stomach began to flip upside down. I grabbed Charlie's sleeve.

"Charlie, I think I'm gonna be sick."

"It might be morning sickness...close your eyes."

I shut my eyes. Even in the darkness the world contiued to spin. I could feel the road beneath us. It bumped me up and down, up and down. I felt the contents of my stomach swish around. I let out a whimper. Then in the black, all stop. I opened my eyes and Charlie had pulled over to the side of the road. He opened my door and helped me out. Upon standing my legs felt like jell-O. I had really bad morning sickness with Bryan as well.

I couldn't fight it. Charlie held me as I began to puke. I gagged and spat vigorously.

"Charlie, I'm so sorry." I cried softly.

"No, no..it's okay...it's okay babe don't apologize..."

I leaned against the truck.

"You gonna be okay?"

"I...I think...so."

I got back in the truck. I decided not to put my seatbelt back on. It was hurting my stomach even worse. Charlie stopped at a gas station to get me some water and some crackers. They helped my morning sickness immensely. Once we got to the doctor's office, the urge to vomit went away. I grew tired again, and cold. I began to bob my knees up and down to warm my body up. Charlie wrapped his arm around me as we sat in the waiting room. A woman in blue scrubs came to the door.

"Harmione." She spoke out.

We followed her back.

"Okay...just step up on the scale." She prompted sweetly.

I looked down at the scale. I gained a little bit a weight. I looked at Charlie and smiled. He smiled back and winked at me.

"Okay, right this way Dr. Payton will be with you shortly."

After she left us in the exam room. Charlie and I got the jitters.

"All the signs are there Charlie." I said with a huge grin on my face. I clapped my hands together and laughed slightly.

"I know babe...this is it...you ready for another baby?"

"Oh yeah! You?"

"I'm ready babe. Baby number two, let's do this."

He gave me a high five. I laughed again and clasped my hands just praying it was true. It was such a gift. The door opened and Dr. Payton stepped in.

"Hello how are we?"

"I'm pregnant!" I shouted.

"Whoa, I wasn't expecting that, this early in the morning, but we'll see if you really are and help prepare you for the coming of the baby, now my nurse said you had a slight fever, but no nasal or throat problems, there are no signs of strep, or bronchitis...I can rule out your allergies, and you're right you have all of the symptoms of a pregnancy but we'll have you do a urine test to be certain."

I nodded as he spoke.

"Right...okay."

I took the test and Charlie and I waited patiently in the exam room. It took a lot longer to get our results back.

"Charlie...do you think they can't tell?"

"I'm sure they can babe...they might be busy with other people."

"Oh I'm so excited I wish they'd hurry up!"

"Take it easy Har...we'll know soon enough."

"Charlie?"

"Yeah?"

"I love you."

"I love you too Har."

He kissed me and stroked my knee.

"You're gonna be a Daddy all over again." I said playfully.

I watched Charlie's face turn red all the way to his ears. He loved being called Daddy. The door opened and a nurse stepped in with Dr. Payton.

"Harmione..."

"Yes?!" I stood up.

"I...I'm sorry to say you're going to be sick for a couple of more weeks...the baby you're carr-"

I just screamed and grabbed Charlie. Charlie laughed. I covered my mouth.

"Congratulations, I'll have my nurses schedule a follow up appointment for you and the baby." He replied with a smile. As soon as they left the room, I just burst into tears. I saw tears in Charlie's eyes. We hugged each other. He began to sway with me.

We were going to have another baby.