I was going to wait until next week to post this. But was so happy with the turnout I decided to post it now! Reviews are much appreciated. I feel this chapter will be a good one. Enjoy! :D
Upon hearing of this life-altering news, her expression was mirrored of someone who just discovered their family slaughtered. Not quite the reaction Chris was hoping for. Then again, not entirely shocking either. She stammers briefly before abruptly turning heel and swiftly walking out.
"Percy!"
Chris calls out, trying to stop her. She gets to the curb and stops, him finally catching up. Even at a light jog was becoming a bit more difficult in comparison to pre-pregnancy. He exhales heavily.
"Look, I'm sorry to just drop this all on ya. I didn't know what else 'ta do"
He explained. Still trying to get his breathing back to normal. Still, she said nothing in response. Just a deep sigh and continuing to keep her focus down on the sidewalk. The silence was maddening. She sighs once more before finally replying.
"Look Chris, I..I just don't think I'm ready to be a mother"
He was afraid she'd say something like that. Slowly, he takes her hand in his. Looking deeply into her eyes.
"I know this' a lot 'ta take in right now, Percy. But I also know you'd make a great mother"
Quite to his surprise, this made her smile. He knew it would be a trying 5 more months ahead of them. But he had yet to see a challenge that Percy didn't face head on. He reciprocates the smile and lightly cups her chin.
"So whaddya say, City Mouse? You up for the challenge?"
He asks with a wry grin. Sure, it was cheesy as Hell. But he was banking on it being effective. She gives a small smile once again and chuckles.
"Well, I can't leave Washington, but.. We'll try and make this co-parenting thing work"
Shortly thereafter, the pair found themselves back at Chris's place. An ocean of navy blue bed sheets surrounding them. They exchange a passionate kiss as Sonja's hand travels down to rest on his stomach. She smirks and jests.
"Well, Country Mouse. The upside here is I can't knock you up more than you already are"
He laughs so hard at this he's nearly at the brink of snorting. Astounded by how well this had played out. Better than expected, actually. The couple lie in bed awhile longer. Her nuzzled against him.
"So, do you know the gender yet?"
She asks suddenly. Up until this point in his pregnancy. Determining the sex would've been a tad difficult. But now at 4 months, should be fairly effortless to deduce. He was never a big fan of hospitals. There had to be an alternative. That's when it hit him, the team's coroner.
"I don't…But I know someone that does"
Chris then texts Pride his and Sonja's elaborate plan. Thereby also including the members that were previously left out of the little PerSalle product. If all went accordingly, Pride would brief Loretta on Chris's condition. Undoubtedly she would be taken aback, but Dwayne knew better than anyone else when talking with the longtime medical examiner on how to handle her reactions.
They'd come to an agreement and allow Percy and Chris inside the morgue. Seeing as she possessed not only the knowledge, but equipment. Coming to an accurate conclusion shouldn't be much of an issue. Pride texts back shortly thereafter "It's a go".
A mass text was sent out to Sebastian, Gregorio and Patton to meet in the squad room around 5 pm. Giving the couple the necessary hour needed to group, set up and broadcast. Loretta smiles warmly and holds the door open for them when they arrive. It was agreed, Pride would stay on the sidelines for the duration of the exam.
"C'mon, daddy" Loretta jokes whilst patting the examination table. Almost immediately after she uttered this, her expression changes as she comes to the realization that this may have come across rather erogenous sounding. The trio laugh this little moment away quickly as Chris hops onto the table.
She instructs him to lift his shirt as she fires up the machine. Pride observes from the nearby window. Percy soon joins alongside him. Loretta fetches a small container of translucent liquid from the shelf.
"Now, this may be a little cold"
The coroner forewarns before applying the ultrasound gel. True to her word, it was somewhat of a shock to the system. Chris flinches and lip curls a bit as the gel was being smeared across the expanse of his stomach. He could feel her move the transducer from left to right, almost methodically.
"Well there you are.."
Loretta cooed as she zeroed in on the spot their child was nestled. This was proceeded by the sound of a switch flipping. Then, the one that would forever change their lives. The resonating, rapid swooshing of their baby's heartbeat. Percy squeezed Chris's hand.
"Oh my God"
She utters, almost breathlessly and covers her mouth briefly with her free hand. He could almost swear she was on the verge of tears. But he knew better than to call a badass like Percy out on her emotions. Loretta presses the transducer against his skin. A little more firmly this time.
"So.. She began "Who wants to know the sex?"
Chris and Percy exchange anticipated glances. Both hands shoot up, as if they were back in grade school. Loretta chuckles softly at this and announces in a heartening tone.
"Well congrats mom and dad, its a girl!"
