Chapter 3

(A/N – In this chapter, a flash back will be italicized. As before, signing is bold, and spoken words are in "quotes".)

You signed that wrong, Emmett signed quickly.

No. I'm pregnant. I replied, and took out the note from the doctor. I'm about 8 weeks along, my doctor wants to do an ultra-sound as soon as possible to confirm.

How are you..? When did you and Emmett..? Oh, shit. Melody signed in a rush. She looked shocked.

We used protection, Melody. We really did. I don't know what happened. I didn't find out until last Friday. I thought I was just catching the flu or something, so I went to the doctor, and I totally forgot that I missed my period. I'm so… I signed

Don't say sorry. Kanzii, this isn't bad news. Emmett signed. He came over and gave me a huge hug. We can do this. He added.

Well congratulations, both of you! Melody signed. She smiled at us and joined us in a group hug. I smiled brightly, and turned so I could sign the most important question.

You guys don't hate me?

I don't hate you Kanzii, its human nature. I wish you and Emmett had waited a few years, but you're both going to be fine. Sure, it's going to be hard raising a newborn, when neither of you can hear the baby cry, but it'll work out. Melody signed with a smile. She kissed the top of my head and beamed like a proud parent.

And I'm not mad at you, Beautiful. How could I? Emmett signed one handed. His other was wrapped around my waist. We're going to be awesome parents.

I smiled brightly. All of that worrying for nothing. I glanced at the clock, and was shocked to see that it was midnight already. I hadn't even realized that we had been at the hospital for several hours. I fought a yawn, but failed horribly. Emmett threw his head back in laughter, and then signed to his mom that we were heading to bed. Melody smiled and told us goodnight.

I love you, Emmett, I signed once we were in his bedroom. He grabbed me and pulled me in for a very passionate kiss. My heart fluttered in my chest, it felt like our first date all over again.

I love you too, Kanzii, and I love our little baby. He signed. I smiled brightly and motioned for him to turn around. He looked at me in confusion, but did as I said.

I pulled my sweater and skirt off and stole one of his long sleeve shirts off his chair. I pulled it over my head, then pulled him down on the bed next to me.

You think Melody will get mad if I spend the night in here with you? I asked, a slight smile on my face.

You're having my baby, she obviously knows we had sex, so I don't see why she would, he replied.

Good, because your room is closer to the bathroom than the couch…and I want to stay with you, forever. I signed, before kissing him.

We laid there in each other's embrace for what seemed like hours, before I slipped into a very happy sleep. The warmth of his embrace soothed all my worries away. I couldn't have been happier.

I woke up early the next morning, my stomach churning. I groaned and clamped my hand over my mouth as I ran to the bathroom. I fell to my knees in front of the toilet and heaved. After a few minutes, I leaned back, and let my head rest against the cool porcelain bathtub. I wiped my mouth on the back of my hand, and took several deep breaths, trying to slow my racing heart.

I looked up when I sensed someone staring at me. Emmett was standing in the doorway, his expression a mix between sadness and concern.

Are you okay? He asked.

Yeah. Morning sickness. I signed back with one hand. My stomach turned againand once more, I found myself leaning over the toilet. I felt Emmett lay a comforting hand on my back, and rub softly. When my stomach finally settled, I fell back, letting my head rest against his bare, warm chest. He tilted my head so I could see his hands as he signed Feeling any better?

Sort of. I replied, before closing my eyes and sucking in a breath of air. My stomach turned, but I fought back the sick feeling this time. I didn't want Emmett seeing me this way. I felt myself start to shake slightly, and groaned.

Kanzii? Emmett asked, his eyes full of concern.

I pulled away and dry heaved. I chocked on sour stomach acid. My head was pounding. I took a deep breath and forced myself to my feet, so I could rinse my mouth. Once the bitter taste was gone, I felt better.

I'm okay. Sorry, hun, I hate you seeing me like this, I signed with a sigh.

You're beautiful, and I'm here for you, he objected.

I kissed him softly, before looking at my phone. It was only 7 in the morning, but Emmett would be late for school if he didn't get ready soon. I looked up to tell him so, but he shook his head.

Mom made an appointment for you, and I'm coming with you, he signed. I nodded and pointed towards his bedroom.

Nope. Sorry, we have to get dressed; the appointment is for 8:30. He said with a sad smile.

Alright. You want the shower first this time? I asked. I normally took a shower before him, since I woke up early to see him before he left for school, but today, I thought it'd be interesting to change up the usual routine. Plus, I wasn't feeling so great.

Naw, you go ahead. He replied. He hugged me tightly, and must have felt me sway, because he insisted I sat down. I did as he said, but still felt like I was going to pass out.

Em, go get your mom, something's not right, I signed. The bathroom was spinning.

Emmett got up quickly and ran out of the bathroom.

I closed my eyes and took several deep breaths. I groaned softly when I felt someone pull me against them. I opened my eyes to fine Emmett holding me, and Melody kneeling next to me.

Still dizzy? She asked.

A little. I don't feel sick anymore though.

Describe the dizziness. Melody instructed.

Everything started spinning, and I felt really weak, like I was going to pass out. I explained.

Okay, that's normal. You were stressing yesterday, and you're probably dehydrated. It's common, so don't worry. Anyway, you have an appointment soon, why don't you skip the shower, and just throw on a pair of pants and lay on the couch until it's time to leave? She said. Her instructions sounded like a good plan. Emmett helped me to my feet, then insisted on staying with me while I changed into a pair of sweatpants and a loose fitting tank top. I looked around for his old sweatshirt, the same one he used to let me sleep in when we first started going out.

He smiled knowingly and tossed it to me. Apparently it was on the other side of the bed. I smiled and took his hand as he led me downstairs, to the kitchen, where he insisted on making me drink two large cups of water. I smiled, feeling a lot better once the water hit my stomach. He kissed me softly, and did something I hadn't been expecting. He picked me up and carried me to the couch, setting me down lightly. I looked up at him and smiled shyly. Emmett always did little things that made me love him all the more, from holding doors or pulling out chairs for me, to the tiny acts of kindness that meant the world to me.

I'd have been lying if I said Emmett and I had a perfect relationship, we didn't. I was very independent, and in the beginning, his little stunts used to drive me crazy, but over the last two years, I had grown used to his persistence to see that I was alright, to take care of me, and to make me feel like a princess. That wasn't me. It really wasn't, and there are still moments when I have to ask him to take all the gentleman stuff down a notch.

See, when my mother was alive, after I went deaf, she taught me to be a very strong, very independent person. Basically, her goal was to toughen me up, so when I grew up, I was able to take care of myself, without having to have a man at my side. But that all changed when Emmett and I made our relationship official. I still remember how nervous I was when I asked him if he ever considered dating someone who wasn't Daphne. For as long as I knew Emmett, at the time, he only wanted her. But after everything we had been through together, we had gotten together, he was 15, I was 16. Somehow, we made it work, even though my signing was sketchy, and my patience was very thin.

I still have trouble with signing certain phrases. I learned years later that due to the 'accident', my motor skills were slightly impaired, which now, leads to me signing slower, even though I know the signs. It also, if I'm being yelled at, or signed to quickly, it leads to me getting lost in a conversation. Which was one of the biggest obstacles of our relationship. Emmett wasn't used to a deaf girl who couldn't keep up. And I wasn't used to a deaf guy who didn't always lip when he signed. So we compromised. We both lip and sign when we're talking to one another, so that even if I mess up on a sign, or he signs too fast, we both can keep up to a point.

I was thinking about all this when Emmett tapped my shoulder and motioned that it was time to go. As I sat down in Melody's car, I found myself wondering something.

Emmett? What if our baby is hearing? I signed, tears in my eyes.

We'll teach him or her to sign and speak. I'm sure Regina and the Kennish's wouldn't mind helping. He replied easily. He put his arm around me and hugged me tight. Don't worry about it. Our baby is going to be perfect, hearing or not.

When we got to the doctors, I was called right away. I was considered a "high risk" pregnancy, because of the head trauma I suffered as a child. My doctor, Dr. Dee, was very kind when she signed that I carried several risk factors for complications. Her main concern was low birth weight, deafness, and possible premature birth.

We're going to take you for a sonogram today, even though you're still early on. We'll be able to better guess how far exactly, and see if there are any early signs of problems. I understand that you were not born deaf, however, you and Emmett both carry the same gene for deafness. There is a 70% chance that your baby will be deaf. However, if he or she isn't, you are aware of how difficult it is to raise a hearing baby, correct? She asked.

Yes. And we're ready for that. Emmett answered for me. He saw the fear in my eyes.

Kanzii, have you been experiencing any morning sickness? Dizziness? Fainting? Dr. Dee asked.

I've been having morning sickness for the last two weeks, and today, I was really dizzy and weak, I replied. Is there something wrong?

I don't know yet, but we'll run some blood tests. Morning sickness and what you described is perfectly normal for teenage mothers, however, I'd like to make sure you aren't anemic, or suffering from any other underlying health problems before you carry out this pregnancy. In the event that there is a complication, what are your views on abortion? She asked.

I'm – I started, but Emmett gave me a look. I looked at him, and he shook his head.

Kanzii, I'd rather lose the baby than you, he signed.

If having this baby means I'm going to die, I'll abort. But only if there is no chance that I'd survive. I signed. I gave Emmett a cold look, and shook my head. My silent way of telling him that we'd talk about it later.

Alright, well, then, let's take a look! Dr. Dee said with a smile.

Well, Kanzii, you're about 8 weeks along. Congratulations! In 10 weeks, we'll be able to tell you the sex of the baby! Dr. Dee signed. She saw the smile cross my face and nodded. We also got your blood test results back. Come into my office.

As we walked to her office, I felt Emmett tap my shoulder. I turned to him, and had to ask him to slow down. He was signing a mile a minute.

Why do you look so concerned? The doctor said everything's alright, but you look ready to puke. Babe, are you alright? C'mon, don't hide anything from me! He signed with a little more force than I expected.

I'm just worried, Emmett, that's all. My family had a long history of health problems, miscarriages, the works. I'm afraid to lose this baby…to lose you. I replied.

You'll never lose me, I promise, he replied, then planted a kiss on my forehead.

We sat down and exchanged a look when Dr. Dee pulled out my file.

Well Kanzii, you are anemic, which would explain why you're tired and feeling weak. We're going to prescribe a pill for that, as well as prenatal vitamins. I also suggest that you come to see me every four weeks, until you're 30th week, then I want to see you twice a week until the baby is here. Right now, everything looks good, though your blood pressure is slightly lower than normal. We're going to keep tabs on that. I noticed that your mother suffered from several miscarriages, so if you start to bleed, or get bad cramping, I want you to come in right away. Other than that, everything looks fine. Your baby is doing well, and please, feel free to call if you have any concerns. She explained.

We all said thank you, and walked silently out to the car. Melody gave me a tight hug, and signed that everything would be alright.