Over the next few months, as Roxy's stomach swelled so did Randy's pride.
She was now six months pregnant with Christmas coming and going, she was finding it a little harder to do everyday tasks. Randy was wrapping her up in cotton wool which wasn't a bad thing but was making them both a little anxious. She had already gotten past the early stages of pregnancy where she'd miscarried babies before but she was still worried that she would mess up or ruin the rest of her pregnancy.
She awoke from her slumber to find her stomach rumbling; something that she had been assured would be a lot worse as time went on. She, like most women, had developed cravings for the weirdest foods, especially those she didn't like! Unwrapping Randy's arm from around her and pulling the warm, navy blue sheets away from her frame, she stumbled out of bed in search of food from the kitchen.
"What do you want, baby?" she whispered, rubbing her tummy carefully. She'd taken to talking to her baby which brought great comfort and reassurance to her. Plus, it was a chance not to get answered back before they reached their teenage years!
Reaching to the top shelf of the cupboard, she shuffled things about quietly, hoping that she wouldn't drop anything or wake Randy up. She had become kind of clumsy since she'd fallen pregnant, which no one could understand. Deep down she knew the reason; she was a month off her baby being the age she was when she was born.
When her mother gave birth to her nearly 2 months earlier from her due date, mixed emotions were certainly in the air. Eric Bishoff had left her standing at the alter. Alone. Her waters broke. She was still alone as the midwife handed her her baby girl.
Flashback: The day Roxy was born.
An ear piercing cry splintered the atmosphere of the room into a thousand pieces. The nurse handed Charlotte Richards her first, and only, child. Fighting back tears for many reason's, Charlotte pressed her finger's against her daughters light, soft cheeks. A moment she would never forget for as long as she would live. A moment that would soon be over.
"Sorry Mrs Richards," the surgeon spoke "We need to go and run tests on your daughter to make sure her lungs are working properly as well as her heart. Is there anything you need or anyone you'd like us to call?"
That's when it hit her like a tonne of bricks; there wasn't anyone. No one at all in the world. Angered by her baby taken out of her arms, she gave a short and simple reply.
"No."
End of flashback.
Roxanna knew Randy would never desert her, especially not when his child was to be born. In fact, it seemed as if he was more excited about the whole pregnancy that she was! He was more than determined to be the best Husband and Father in the world, more than anyone could imagine.
Pulling another jar down from the cupboard, Roxy groaned slightly, clasping her stomach. Randy, who had noticed her lost presence in bed, lent against the doorway and rolled his eyes at her. He knew how nervous she was getting about the looming birth but was also unsurprised at her unwillingness to let him do anything for her. But that was the way she was; she'd sooner struggle than let anyone help her.
"Need any help?" Randy questioned, walking up behind her.
"Ummm, no, I'm, uh, fine...yeah." she spoke.
"Found what you were looking for?" he asked, folding her arms in front of his naked chest.
"Yeah..."
"Pickles? Since when have you ever liked pickles?" he semi laughed.
"Ummm, since now!" she lied. Badly. Placing the jar onto the counter, Randy smirked at her, running his hands through her soft hair.
"You never give up, do ya?"
"Were you expecting me to?" Roxy asked innocently.
"No, sweetie, I wouldn't want you to either!" Randy smiled, kissing Roxy's lips. "Are you still hungry?"
"You bet! I dunno, it's not really hunger, it's just...cravings."
Randy looked at her gone out. He understood the whole process of a woman's pregnancy. He experienced it twice with his Mom. Yet, he never did understand the whole cravings thing...
"What!" Roxy giggled.
"I don't understand; you were gonna eat stuff you hate!"
"That's what pregnant women do." she purred, putting her arm around his neck, smiling broadly at him.
"You nervous about today?" Randy inquired, his hands gliding over Roxy's growing tummy. Today was the day of one of the most important scans of their baby, at least in Roxy's mind.
She didn't answer him but he could tell by her expression exactly what her answer was to be.
"I know you're scared in case it doesn't work out for whatever reason. Trust me baby, I will be there if everything goes wrong - not that it will anyway."
"I want everything to be perfect, I can't stand the thought of delivering our baby on my own. I can't stand the thought of our baby being born ill or prematurely. I..."
"Rox, will you relax! If you're calm, the baby will be ok."
"I know. I'm sorry." Roxy whispered.
"Don't be. Now, what do you want to eat?" Randy asked, giving her a quick peck on the cheek before placing all of the jars back into the cupboard.
"Nothing, I'm just wiped." she yawned.
"C'mon, let's get back to sleep." Randy stated, guiding Roxy up the stairs.
Randy was becoming more accustomed to Roxy's pregnancy insecurities and completely understood her frame of mind. He didn't let his anxiety show for the sake of Roxy and the un known sexed baby.
So far, all of the scans had been successful and the baby was continuing to seem healthy. Roxy was about a month off their baby beginning to move about, something that would allow Randy to feel the same experiences that Roxy would.
Laying his wife back onto the bed, Randy rolled up her t-shirt and kissed her stomach as he hovered over her. Roxy smiled to him; he was already showing signs of being a great Father. As their eyes connected, he kissed her lips before laying next to her, placing his muscled arm around her bulging stomach.
About half an hour later, Roxy was sleeping gently in his arms. Randy kissed her cheek before getting up out of bed. He needed to do something.
Walking to the office downstairs, Randy turned on the light. Squinting, he fiddled about in the top draw for a folder he'd been keeping since the start of Roxy's pregnancy. Opening up the file, he took a fresh piece of paper and a pen before he started to write.
Roxy woke up a few hours later. Raising an eyebrow, she slowly got up from the bed, clutching the bottom of her bump before walking down stairs. Searching for Randy, she quickly found him slumped across the desk in the office, snoring softly to himself.
Smirking to herself, she lifted the piece of paper carefully from underneath his head and started to read.
To my darling child,
You are now six months old in your wonderful Mother's womb. It hardly seems like five minutes ago since we discovered the fantastic news for ourselves and began to rejoice at the thought of your arrival. Although, I have to say, the thought of there being a baby in the house does seem a little daunting...
Mommy is very much excited - and nervous - about your arrival, as I am. But the thing I'm most looking forward to is seeing your beautiful face for the first time...if you take after your Mother, you'll be the most gorgeous baby ever! We currently don't know your sex and we haven't even decided on your name...we are waiting for your face to determine everything.
Today is the day of your next scan. Be good for the doctors...hopefully, after this visit, your Mommy will have calmed down a little. She's a little edgy about you which is understandable after the miscarriage of your older sister, Olivia.
You know, as a warning I'm about to give you, I hope you remember this for the rest of your life; expect the unexpected. On April 20th, 2004 my life changed, undeniably for the better. That night was the night I met your Mommy.
As soon as I saw her, I knew instantly that she was 'the one'. She was beyond perfect; such a strong, bold character. Everything that I had ever admired in a woman had come to life in the form of Roxanna Richards.
By my stupid mistakes, we were forced to depart from each other for a while. Then, nearly two years to the day you are due, she walked back into my life more amazing and alluring than before. After our previous challenges, I knew it would be hard but I won back her loving heart. Forever.
I could sit here and write about her awesome presence forever but you might start to think I'm a little sad...Until I see you again, goodbye for now, darling.
All of my love, Daddy xxx
Giggling quietly to herself, that put all of Roxanna's fears into perspective. She was now confident that with the help of Randy they would be fantastic parents.
Later in the day, the young married couple were travelling to the baby unit of the hospital. After helping his beloved out of the car, Randy and Roxy made their way to their sonogram session.
"So, Mrs Orton, how's everything been over the past few weeks?"Mrs Lovejoy, the middle aged Doctor, asked.
"Great." Roxy smiled, nodding her head unsurely.
"Apart from the cravings..." Randy interrupted.
"That's just a natural part of being pregnant." Dr Lovejoy replied, turning away from Roxy and Randy as she went to fetch the monitor.
Roxy stood her tongue out to Randy as if to say 'I told you so'. Randy shook his head, playfully giving her the middle finger.
"Lay down on the bed Mrs Orton and we'll see what the babies doing. Feel free to take a seat, Mr Orton." she pointed at the plastic chair in the corner of the room.
As the nurse ran the sonogram stick over Roxy's swollen stomach, Randy took her hand as a sign of reassurance, caressing it as she smiled hopefully back at him.
"There's the babies head!" Dr Lovejoy exclaimed, pointing to the distinguishable figure on the screen. "Hands, feet, stomach, spine..." she continued as Roxy and Randy looked on in awe.
"You didn't want to know the sex yet, did you?" she asked, printing the picture for the couple.
"No, we want it to be a surprise." Roxy said.
"I just need to ask you a few more questions before you go," the nurse continued, handing Randy the picture and giving Roxy a towel to rub off the jelly like substance from her stomach. "This is your first baby, well, one that you haven't miscarried?" she questioned gently.
"Yeah." Roxy nodded, a little downcast.
"Do you want a natural birth or a C-Section?"
"Natural, unless everything goes really wrong!" Roxy sternly spoke.
"Hopefully, keeping our fingers crossed, it will all be fine. Your baby's looking to be healthy and a good size for it's age."
After booking an appointment for her next scan, Roxy and Randy left the hospital a little more content on the pregnancy.
Check back for more, soon!