A/N: Thanks so much to everyone who's reviewed this story so far! I'm so sorry it's been so long since I last posted, but here's another one for the series! Also, if anyone has any ideas for scenes they'd like to see (except for the birth; I'm already formulating a plan for that... ^^) just send me a comment or PM and I'll definitely consider it.
Thanks for all your support!
"Tom, please stop pacing. It's not going to make time go any faster." you smile from your seat on the examination table.
"Can't help it." he smiles back apologetically as he finally sits down next to you and starting twiddling his fingers nervously. "It's not every day you get to see your child for the first time."
"True." You had nearly forgotten that he hadn't been there for your first ultrasound a few weeks ago, being busy with filming on 'The Hollow Crown.' and everything... Of course, you understood why he couldn't be there; but after you told him everything that had happened at the first appointment, he was determined that he would be there for the next one no matter what. And this was a big one. This was the appointment you'd find out the sex of the baby, something you've looked forward to ever since finding out you were even pregnant. You feel the baby moving again and you grab his hand so he can feel it before it stops. It's only a few moments before you feel the baby shift again and from the way his face is beaming, he's felt it too.
"So any last guesses on what it is?" you ask as his hand rubs gentle circles on your stomach.
"It doesn't matter to me." he shrugs. "As long as the baby's healthy."
"Oh come on." you joke. "You can't tell me that you're not slightly leaning one way or the other..."
"Ok, ok... I'll tell you. I think it would be really nice...if we had a little girl."
"Really?" you ask, surprised. "I would have thought you would have wanted a boy. You know... I could have pictured a little boy with your blond curls and the two of you running around the yard playing 'Thor and Loki...'" you say, to which Tom lets out a laugh.
"Nah, I like the thought of a little girl who looks just like you that I can spoil rotten."
"Oh please no. We don't need another me running around the house."
"Why not? She could have your eyes..."
"Or he could have your curls..." you say, emphasizing 'he.'
"Your smile."
"Your laugh."
"Really?"
"Of course. That was one of the first things about you that I fell in love with." you smile as your lips softly press against his in pure pleasure. Sure, you wold have been fine at this appointment by yourself, but having him here for this moment made it all the sweeter. A knock on the door interrupts the moment though as your doctor, Dr. Sarah Phillips, steps into the room with a smile, skillfully pretending she did see your brief display of affection. "Mrs. Hiddleston, good to see you again. And I see you've brought your husband along this time."
After a few introductions, Dr Phillips asks you to lean back so that she can start the ultrasound. As she lifts up your gown exposing your already rounding stomach, you feel Tom squeeze your hand and smile. He's just as excited as you are. After placing a little of the cool gel on your stomach, she starts moving the wand around and it isn't long before the sound of a fast lub-dub fills the room; the lump quickly catching in your throat. You had promised yourself you wouldn't start crying again like you did during the first ultrasound, but the sound that showed the baby was healthy did it to you every time. She turns the screen toward you so that the two of you can see and you hear Tom let out a noise of excitement.
"Oh my god... That's our baby... That's really our baby..." he says breathlessly as you squeeze his hand tighter.
Dr Phillips smiles at his reaction and continues on with her examination, pointing out to the two of you what you're seeing, but you keep looking back at Tom as he watches the movement on the screen with a fascination you've never seen in him before. You can't help but smile as tiny limbs move and stretch in the enclosed space; tiny feet already showing ten toes.
"Well, everything looks great and baby's growing right on schedule." she says after a few minutes. "Do you want to know the sex?"
You start to say yes to the request, but then you begin to have second thoughts. After all, there are few surprises in life. But then again, you think Tom may burst if you make him wait until the birth, so the two of you quickly agree that you want to know.
"It looks like you two...will be having a little girl." she smiles. "Congratulations."
A girl...
The words sink in and instantly happy tears come to your eyes. You would have been happy either way, but you had secretly always wanted a little girl ever since you were younger. All the little dresses that you'd have to get for her now, all the mother-daughter things you'll be able to do together; you can't wait. You look to Tom for his reaction and despite the tears glistening in his eyes, from the smile on his face you can tell he's absolutely ecstatic.
Dr. Phillips spends a little longer on the ultrasound, explaining what you should expect in the next few weeks, pointing out the delicate strand of pearls that make up her spine, and catches a brief glimpse of her sucking on her hand for all it was worth.
"She's so smart already..." Tom chuckles which makes you grin wider.
As the exam finishes and you try to get as much of the goo off your stomach as possible, the request of the ultrasound video plus several pictures is quickly granted. After all, you know the two of you will both want one, not to mention a copy for both your parents and Tom's sisters. After the doctor leaves and you finish changing back into your regular clothing however, you pull back the curtain to see Tom still sitting in the chair; deep in thought as he stares at the picture of your daughter sucking on her hand.
Certainly not the reaction you were expecting...
"What is it? I thought you'd be thrilled that you got what you were wanting."
"It's not that." he says quickly at the sound of your voice. "I'm happy; I really am. I...I've just missed so much already with filming and now I have to fly back tomorrow for another three weeks. I mean, the last time I saw you, I could barely tell you were pregnant and now..."
"I'm as big as a house?" you joke as you walk over to him and let him rest his head on your stomach.
"No, of course not." he smiles, his cheek settling against the warmth of your skin. "It's just...so much has changed and I wasn't here for it. I wasn't here for your first craving, for the first time you felt her move, when you heard her heartbeat for the first time... She's growing and changing and I'm missing all of it. I don't know...Maybe I should just step out of the project."
"Thomas William Hiddleston, you will do no such thing." you say firmly as you take his face in your hands before running your fingers through his curls. "You've been wanting to do 'The Hollow Crown' ever since you saw the script for it; I'm not going to let you back out for my sake. Besides, it's only three more weeks. We'll still be here when you get back. I swear I won't be doing much besides laying on the couch and you really don't want to be here for that. "
He begins to protest but studying your face, he quickly realizes that there's no changing your mind and nods in agreement. "Okay, but only if I can take the DVD with me. Deal?"
"Deal." you reply as you give him a kiss on the cheek before the two of you start walking down the hallway. "Now speaking of cravings, I'm ready to get out of here and get some Chinese. Baby's been craving fried rice for the past hour."
"Sure she has..." he replies with a wide grin as the two of you head out of the doctor's office hand-in-hand, wanting to spend as much time together while you still could.
Just the three of you.
PLEASE R & R!