Wednesday June 1st 2022

Today Joe was going with Kelsey to her first ultrasound appointment. They spend the last couple days trying to figure out how this was all going to work, talking plans and what the future looks like, oh, and a lot of morning sickness. Joe was very supportive with it all and helpful.

——

When they got to the appointment, they didn't wait long before getting back to the room.

The tech was very nice and didn't make them feel awkward with personal questions about their relationship or anything.

She got started right away, Kelsey laid there with her shirt rolled up as she squirted some of the cold jelly on her stomach.

"Alright let's see how baby's doing in there." She turned the monitor on and moved the wand around, finding the baby right away.

"There it is. See it's little heart beat?" She showed them, they smiled at the amazing technology that could do this stuff. She turned on the sound so they could hear it. The sweetest sound ever.

Next she did some measurements to figure out her due date and everything, it went very quick. She printed them some pictures too to keep.

"You're measuring about 9 weeks 4 days which puts due date at January 7th." She told them.

"Christmas baby maybe." Joe said smiling and holding Kelsey's hand.

"Or New Years." Kelsey told him. The tech helped Kelsey get cleaned up and up off the table and they were on there way.

—

She stared at the ultrasound pictures the whole way home, just in shock this was happening. As much as a surprise this came to them they were a little happier after seeing the baby, but still not 100% over the moon yet. This was a big deal, it's definitely gonna take time to adjust.

"So when should we tell our families." Joe asked.

"Huh, I don't know. My parents won't have much to say, I'm not that close with them, I don't care when they find out." Kelsey said.

"Yeah. Well I need to tell my mom, and the Reagan's sooner then later." He said.

"What do you think your mom will say?"

"Let's just say I should do it alone. Just in case." He knew damn well his mom wouldn't be too excited about this, but he also knew she'd support them. He just needed to do it himself.

"I figured that. Same with my parents, I don't want them to even meet you yet." She said crossing her arms.

"Yeah, well when it comes to the Reagan's…I'm probably better off telling them alone first before you just show up to dinner one of these days." He said with a laugh. Kelsey agreed.

———

Over the course of the next week things became a little rocky. Joe was basically staying at Kelsey's place every night so he was there to help her when he could. She was very sick, keeping her home from work. Not to mention the crazy hormones she had going on. One minute she's fine the next she could be crying about something or yelling.

Joe couldn't win half the time, she was very sensitive and needy, he was starting to hate it. He was also starting to wish this wouldn't be happening to them yet, he couldn't handle it sometimes. He never really had time for himself, he was either working or home with her. He needed a break for his own sanity some days.

——

It was a Tuesday Morning

Kelsey was throwing up at 5am already. Joe was staring at the ceiling listening. Her apartment wasn't that big so it was kind of hard to block out. Where would they even house this child? Both of them had studio apartments. Next thing on the list was finding a bigger place that wasn't gonna break the bank.

In the midst of all this thinking Kelsey opened the bathroom door and came back to bed. She looked like she'd been hit by a truck.

"Where are you going?" She asked when Joe got out of bed as soon as she laid down.

"Gonna hit the gym." He said, he was stressed and needed to decompress before he took it out on her.

"Well…can you bring me-"

"Huh." Joe sighed before she even finished the question.

"Never mind" she turned her head and ignored him. He pissed her off now, what's new.

"Okay. Okay. I'm sorry. I didn't mean that." He said.

"Yeah right, you're soooo annoyed that I ask for stuff! Well my bad! I just spent the last 15 minutes puking because I'm PREGNANT with YOUR BABY! But it's fine, I'll run out for something in between puke sessions!" She exploded and turned away laying down. Joe felt bad, he walked around the bed and knelt down to see her face.

"Kels I'm sorry. You're right. What do you want me to bring you?" He held her face with his hand and rubbed his thumb over her cheek bone. She started crying and now Joe already felt like an ass and was learning he just had to try and deal.

"Baby I'm sorry." He sat on the bed with her and hugged her.

"This isn't fun. I hate being pregnant, I hate being sick, I hate how tired I am all the time, I hate how stressed you are. I just hate all of this." He let her cry on his shoulder, he just ran his fingers up and down her back.

"I know Kels. I wish I could do something about it all." He said being honest, he hated this too. It was ruining there relationship and they were both running out of patience and hope.

———

I can speak from first hand experience, the hormones during pregnancy are insane, this chapter was very realistic! Also agree that, bringing a baby into this world without a solid relationship is going to be very tough for them. Leave your thoughts