Matt sat nervously in the doctor's office. He was hunched over, leaning his chin in his hands. Emily was sitting nearby, lying on the examination table. She wore a hospital dressing top as she had worn a dress. A small sheet was wrapped around her legs, leaving her largely protruding belly exposed to the air. She watched Matt's nervous motions in amusement. She laughed, catching Matt's attention.
Matt turned his head. "What?"
"You." Emily answered. "I've never seen you so nervous before."
Matt lowered his hands. "Is there a reason I shouldn't be a little bit nervous?"
"No, of course not." Emily answered. "However, you are not a 'little bit' nervous. You looked absolutely terrified."
Matt opened his mouth to respond, but the door opened, abruptly ending their conversation. The doctor entered, carrying Emily's chart. She smiled at Emily. "Hello Emily. How are you feeling today?"
"I'm feeling alright." Emily answered.
The doctor nodded. "Getting a tad uncomfortable?"
Emily nodded. "A little."
"That's going to become very common with the last trimester. You're going to have very little energy to do anything and you're going to be extremely uncomfortable." The doctor said. "I would advise you to stay off your feet as much as possible."
'I don't think that will be a problem." Matt said.
The doctor turned her head suddenly, clearly oblivious to Matt's presence. "Oh."
"Doctor Greyson, this is my…husband." Emily said.
Matt rose from his seat and extended his hand. "Matt Anderson."
Greyson shook his hand. "It's nice to finally meet you Mr. Anderson. Emily's told me a bit about you since her first visit. I'm sorry you couldn't make it to the other appointments."
Matt nodded. "Yeah well, work tends to keep me increasingly preoccupied than I'd like."
"Well at least you're here." Greyson said. She glanced back to Emily. "So, let's see how you're little girl is doing today."
Greyson moved to the fetal monitor. She grabbed the bottle of gel and laid out a small glob over Emily's belly. Emily took a sharp breath. Greyson placed the scanner over Emily's belly and looked at the machine. The room was immediately filled with a static thumping sound. Matt moved closer to Emily and watched the screen.
Emily sighed. "I get nervous every time I come in. For some reason this doesn't seem real until I hear her heart."
"That's understandable." Greyson said.
Matt smiled. He reached down and grabbed Emily's left hand, squeezing it lightly.
"Have you two discussed names?"
"We've…talked about it once." Emily said.
Matt smirked. It hadn't been much of a conversation after all.
"At least you've talked. I've known mothers who've waited until they've gone into labor to choose a name." Greyson said.
Matt shook his head. "Why wait so long?"
"Sometimes they think labor is far enough off. But then time gets away from them." Greyson answered. She looked back to the screen. "Well, it looks like little Anderson is growing nicely. She'll definitely start moving more and it will get more uncomfortable. You may feel a little more pain. It may be that she's managed to break a rib. Now that is highly likely in pregnancy, so do not worry about it."
Emily nodded.
"Alright, if neither of you have questions I'll leave you to change and I'll see you for your next appointment." Greyson said.
"Thank you." Matt said.
Greyson rose from her seat and walked out of the room.
"Well, what did you think?" Emily asked. She pushed herself upright.
"That I should have been here from the beginning." Matt answered.
"Matt you have other pressing priorities at the time." Emily replied. She looked at him, giving him that feeling he felt so many times. That feeling that drew him in to her that brought them here.
Matt smiled lightly. "Come on, we have somewhere we need to be."
Emily frowned. "Where?"
"You'll see." Matt smiled.
"Matt, will you please tell me what's going on?" Emily asked.
Matt led her through the halls of the ARC. She had told her nothing of what they were doing since they left the office, and frankly, Emily was growing uncomfortable of walking around. Her well protruding belly was making things more difficult for her.
Matt wrapped his arm around her waist. "It's just in here." He pushed open the door and gave her a gentle push in.
The room was dark. Emily couldn't see anything, not even an outline of furniture. "Matt?"
Suddenly the light flicked on. Jess and Abby jumped out in front of her. "SURPRISE!"
Emily jumped. She placed her hand over her heart and smiled. "What's this?"
"This is your baby shower." Abby explained. She walked forward and placed a paper crown on Emily's head.
"A what?"
"It's a party for the expecting mother." Jess explained. "There are fun games, food, and presents for the baby. But seeing as it's just going to be the three of us, we figured we'd just eat and have you open our gifts."
Emily shook her head. "But...how?"
"Matt." Abby answered. "He made sure you were away while we prepared for this."
Emily turned back toward the door. Matt was leaning in the doorway with his arms crossed over his chest. "You did this?"
Matt shrugged. He pushed himself off the wall and walked toward her. "I thought you should experience the present day positives to your condition. Jess'll take you back home after the party."
"You're not staying?" Emily asked.
Matt shook his head. "Men don't usually attend showers. Besides, I have something else I need to take care of."
"Should I be worried?"
"Terrified." Matt answered.
Emily sighed. "Don't get yourself killed."
Matt smiled. "I won't. Promise." He gave her a quick kiss on the cheek. "Enjoy yourself."
"Of course she will." Abby called.
Matt turned and left the room.
Jess popped alongside Emily. "Come on; let's get you to your throne."
"Excuse me?" Emily asked.
Jess took Emily's hand and led her to a large, cushioned chair. It was a beautifully burgundy colored walnut rocking chair. The seat and backrest were cushioned with dark green, plush cushions. Jess helped Emily sit in the chair. Abby slid over the matching footstool that ricked with the chair. Emily smiled as she leaned back in the chair.
"Comfy?" Abby asked.
Emily nodded. "It's a wonderful chair."
"Good, because it's yours." Jess replied.
Emily's eyes grew large. "What?"
"For those late nights with the baby." Abby said.
"I couldn't." Emily said.
"You don't really have a choice." Abby smiled. She took one of the office chairs and sat down beside Emily.
Jess walked to the table and carried an armful of bags. She set them down beside Emily. "Don't worry, they're not all from us."
Emily looked over each item. They were wrapped in different colored papers or placed in different bags. "I don't know where to start."
Abby held up her hand. "I've got just the one." She reached into the pile and pulled out a medium sized green wrapped box. She held it out to Emily. "This is from Connor. And I swear it's safe."
Emily took the box and unwrapped the paper. She opened the box and peeked inside. Emily reached into the box and pulled out a hanger. "What's this?"
"Lift it out." Abby said.
Emily set the box down and lifted the gift out. Inside was a white cloth, it almost reminded Emily of an umbrella. Beneath the cloth hung several different kinds of creatures. Emily recognized a smaller version of Rex, and Sid and Nancy. There was a Mammoth, and even the Dracorex. Emily smiled at the gift.
"Connor thought he'd get an early start with the creatures." Abby explained.
"It's adorable. You'll have to thank him for me." Emily said. She set the gift back into the box. She looked out at the pile and picked one. It was a yellow bag wrapped in tissue paper.
"That's from Lester." Jess said.
Emily and Abby both looked shocked at Jess.
"Lester?" Abby asked.
Jess nodded. "He asked me to bring it to the shower."
Emily looked to Abby who shared her confused look. Emily looked down into the bag. There was no card, just the gift. She reached in a pulled out a small stuffed animal version of a creature. Emily recognized it a flying creature.
Abby smiled. "You know, if he keeps this up, everyone's going to think he's a nice guy."
Emily laughed. "You're right."
Emily eased her way up the stairs into the flat. Jess had dropped her off several minutes ago and was proceeding to bring Emily's shower presents back on a later note. She reached the top floor to find the front room empty. Emily looked around quickly. The chairs were set apart, unused, the kitchen was empty, even the snow dusted balcony was free.
"Matt?" Emily called.
Footsteps echoed from the back room. Matt walked through the hallway. "Back here."
Emily walked toward him, meeting him in the hallway. She lifted her head up, kissing him quickly.
"How was the shower?" Matt asked.
"Very fun. Thank you." Emily answered. "Jess is bringing the gifts over later."
Matt nodded. "Speaking of which, there's one more gift."
Emily sighed. "Matt-"
Matt held up his hand. "Trust me. You'll like it."
Emily nodded. "Alright."
Matt smiled and kissed her forehead. "Walk back there and tell me what you think." He stepped aside.
Emily walked past Matt toward the bedroom. She could see the room was different, even before she passed through the archway. Emily gasped as she entered. Dark red drapes hung from rods on the walls. The bed was raised from the floor, placed on a dark wooden frame. A red linear patterned spread laid over the mattress. Beside the bed was a small white laced trimmed bassinet. Emily walked to the bed and sat down. She reached out and traced the outer frame of the bassinet. Her eyes filled with tears as she sat in the room. No longer was it empty, but full. It felt more of a home now.
"What do you think?" Matt asked.
Emily turned her head. Matt was leaning in the way with his arms folded in front of his chest.
"It's beautiful." Emily said.
London England
November twenty second two thousand and eleven
I cannot recall I time where I have felt more loved than today. I was-if you will- the guest of honor. There is a tradition within this time where the expecting mother is honored. She is honored with gifts from friends and family members for herself and her child. I received a number of gifts from my friends and colleagues at the ARC. Lester is included. The gifts follow as such;
Lester: A stuffed animal Pterodactyl
Connor: A menagerie themed mobile
Becker: A camera and blanket
Abby: Three photo albums
Jess: Four infant dresses and matching shoes
Matthew had his own gift for me after my return from the shower. The bedroom, which we decided to share finally, was redecorated. The large windows are now shaded by beautiful drapes. The bed had finally been raised by a wooden frame and dressed nicely. However, I am more fond of the adorable lace trimmed bassinet that now resides beside our bed. I looked at it and grow ever anxious for our daughter to lie within it.
I believe she grows anxious as well. Her movements have grown increasingly stronger and more frequent. Doctor Greyson believes she will be of average size and weight at birth. I find myself grow ever anxious for her arrival. I have but two months, estimated by Doctor Greyson, until her birth. However, I have also fearful that will become an unsuitable mother. I fear that I will be unable to teach her all that she should learn.
I supposed every mother believes such thoughts. At least, that is what Matthew has told me. However, I believe he was simply trying to ease my mind. Alas, only time will tell.
baby shower!