Author's Note: Helloooo lovely peoples! Thanks to everyone for the lovely reviews! I'd always love more, though. Thanks, guys!
"Congratulations, Mrs. Sarantakos. You are, indeed, pregnant." The OB/GYN announced to the happy couple. "You'll be great parents."
"Thank you! Thank you so much!" Criss told the doctor as he leaned in for a celebratory hug with his wife. All Anna could do was smile. A mommy. She thought. I'm going to be a mommy.
"To me, it looks like your three weeks, so that means you should have the baby in your arms by early April." The doctor said confidently.
"That's perfect. It'll be a great birthday present for Anna. Right, love?" He asked his wife.
"It'll be the best ever." She sighed. The doctor handed her an ultrasound picture of her baby, who kind of looked like a blob, but it didn't matter to Anna. That blob was hers. Her baby, and Criss', but nobody else's. She thought about all the things she'd teach her baby. A love of music and tolerance of all people and cultures, no matter how far from their own would be at the top of the list.
He car ride home was filled with talk of the baby.
"We could adjoin the room next to ours to be the baby's room. It'd work out great!" Criss suggested.
"Could you try to convince Felix to give up one of his most expensive suites for an infant?" Anna asked, a little skeptical.
"Easily. Either we get the baby's room or we leave the Luxor, easy as that. He can't say no!" He parked the car.
"But that's mean, Criss." Anna did her puppy dog eyes.
"It's fine. Anything for our family." He kissed her gently and got out of the car, opening her door and helping her out of the car. When she stood up, her face was mere inches away from his.
"I love you, Criss." She professed as she ran her fingers through his hair.
"You have no idea how much you mean to me, Anna. I hope our baby is just like you." He paused. "Well. Maybe there could be a little 'Criss' thrown in there, but mostly you."
"I hope our kid's like me too." Anna said, amused.
"Hey!" Criss defended. Anna pecked him on the lips and started to walk away until Criss' hand caught her wrist and pulled her back.
"You're such a tease." Criss said before he French kissed her passionately. She kissed back, but then pulled away.
" I should email this to Rachel." Anna said, holding up the ultrasound but looking at her feet.
"Go ahead, love. I'll catch up with you." He watched her walk away. The pregnancy weight she'd gained so far was all in her chest, and hardly noticeable, but it made Criss a very happy man.
He sat there with a proud grin on his face. She was his. She loved him. He was a lucky man to have her. And he was going to love to be the father of her child.
Anna wrote furiously at her laptop. Rachel was a mother, she'd know what to make of everything Anna was feeling right now.
Rachel,
I attached the first ultrasound photo for you to look at, if you want to.
I have some questions for you: When you were pregnant with Maggie and Julia, did you gain a lot of weight early on, or did it come later? Did you have a lot of emotional distress in the beginning? How did you pick names?
All I know right now is that I really miss you, even more than when I went to college. Remember that? I called you every day,
How are Maggie and Julia? Is Seth still working on the kitchen?
Love,
Anna
She got a reply within minutes of sending it. She speculated that she was at school and staring at her computer during her planning period.
Anna,
I know this is a stressful time, but you'll do just fine. Everyone's different. People gain weight at different times and you often get stressed out. I'm sure the hormones only amplify it. Don't worry. Take deep breaths and watch TV. Something funny and stupid will do the trick.
As for names, you've had those picked out since before we met and they are both fabulous.
Maggie is blowing us all away with her flute skills (no pun intended). We put her latest recital on YouTube. You should watch it! Julia is making me so proud! She just started French horn, just like her mama! She's not half bad, either!
Seth's a big goofball. He stubbed his toe on a nail that was sticking out of the ground from the island we demo-d and required heating pad therapy. He should stick with music.
I miss you horribly! Call me, ok?-
Rachel
P.S. I talked to you parents. They know. They aren't particularly thrilled, but they know. Oh, and I framed the wedding photo you sent of Criss and yourself. You looked gorgeous, still do.