Late: Ch. 9

By: The Confused One

A/N:

They both knew they wouldn't be able to concentrate on anything else after the appointment, so they took the day off. Waking up to empty space beside her, Alex sighed. Looking at the clock, she noted that it was nearly seven. There was too much coming up on for him to be able to quiet his mind down long enough to sleep anymore. He was up for the morning. Alex was sure of that.

Smelling food, Alex dragged herself out of bed and made her way to the kitchen. She watched him pat the bacon with a paper towel, before grumbling, "Once you get up and start cooking, the baby starts kicking, and there's no way I can sleep once that happens."

Bobby smiled, just a little. He loved to feel the baby kick. Turning to face her, he sheepishly replied, "Sorry. I didn't mean to get you up."

Alex shrugged. Walking over to him, she checked on the bacon, before commenting, "It's OK."

Unable to help himself, Bobby wrapped an arm around her back and drew her close. Placing a hand on her stomach, he felt the baby kick. He smiled a little more.

She finally put her hand on his. Meeting his eyes, she smiled. He leaned down and kissed her softly. As he pulled away, she tried to assure him, "Don't be nervous, Bobby. Everything is fine. It's just a sonogram."

With a slow nod, Bobby let her words take root. Cupping her face with his hand, he traced her jaw with his thumb. He finally replied, "I know. I just…you know I worry."

Lifting his other hand from her ever growing belly, she kissed his palm. Meeting his eyes again, she replied, "I know you do." Giving him a smile, she asked, "What else did you fix for breakfast? I'm starving."

Letting her go completely now, he moved from the stove and answered, "Bacon, eggs, and toast."

&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&&

The rest of the morning was quiet. They spent it eating, doing the dishes, reading, and getting ready. They stopped for lunch on the way home.

Alex was now happily curled up against Bobby on the bed. With her head on his chest, she held the picture up so they could both see it. She never remembered being more at peace. Everything seemed absolutely perfect.

Bobby reached out and traced the figure in the picture with his finger. He finally whispered, "I could look at this all day."

Alex smiled and admitted, "I could too." Looking up at him, she asked, "It's amazing, isn't it?"

Bobby nodded immediately and agreed, "More than amazing." When she turned back to the picture, he kissed the top of her head and continued, "I just…we're having a girl. There's a little girl growing inside of you."

Alex grinned. With a nod, she unconsciously rubbed her swollen belly. Feeling her kick again, Alex replied, "She's really active right now."

Bobby put his hand on top of hers. With a smile, he commented, "She must know she's being talked about."

Alex laughed. "Seeing as she's your child…maybe she does."

Rubbing the top of her hand with his thumb, he looked at the picture again. Getting serious, he replied, "It blows my mind…to think about her. We're responsible for this little girl that is growing inside of you. It's just incredible to me. We're going to be entrusted with her, and I swear to you…I'm going to do better than my father."

Alex momentarily closed her eyes. Putting the picture down with the others, she turned to face him. Meeting his eyes, she insisted, "I know that. Don't compare yourself with him, Bobby. You share his genes, but you're nothing like him. I wouldn't be here if you were. You're going to be an amazing father to her. Please stop worrying that you won't be. We've had this conversation…more than once now."

Bobby nodded slowly. It helped to hear that from her, but he knew that it was going to take time and their daughter to fully alleviate his fears. Bringing his hand up to her face, he gently moved some hair out of her face and replied, "Thank you." Meeting her eyes, again, he added, "It's just going to take a little time."

With a nod, Alex understood that. Turning back around, Alex picked another picture and settled back against him. Relaxed, she confessed, "You know, when I had Nathan, I couldn't even bring myself to look at the sonogram pictures. It was too painful. Now, all I want to do is look at hers."

Bobby smiled. Kissing her temple, he let his fingers run up and down her arm, as he quietly assured her, "This time she gets to come home with you. With us."

Alex smiled softly and agreed, "Yeah."