Thank you to all those reading, I'm glad to know you're enjoying the story. I don't intend that this will be a very long story, but if it's short, I hope it will at least be sweet.
You've never thought about having kids before. Well, maybe you have…vaguely in some distant future with someone you haven't met yet. But it's never been a serious consideration before. Pete on the other hand, can't wait to be a dad. He even has the names all picked out: Bruce Wayne, Clark Kent, and Peter Parker.
He whined when you pointed out those were only boys names and he was just as likely to have girls as boys, and why Peter Parker when Parker wasn't his middle name.
"You're missing the whole point, Mykes, they're superhero names," he sounded aggrieved, "you know, Batman, Superman and Spiderman."
The reference had been completely lost on you. Sometimes you wonder how the two of you manage to be best friends.
At any rate, you thought it would be years, if ever, before you'd find yourself in an obstetrician's office. You also figured it would be for your own pregnancy, not that of a woman you've only known a few weeks.
Helena had appeared so hesitant, apologetic really, when she asked if you'd be willing to accompany her to her appointment.
"Myka, I wondered if you might like to go with me to my next appointment? I could go alone of course, but we've gotten on so well together I thought perhaps you wouldn't mind? That is if you're available. But if you don't want to, that's perfectly fine too," she'd quickly assured. Overcome with self doubt, she'd finished with, "Oh, really, just forget I even mentioned it."
She had almost turned away completely but you managed to catch her arm, and she'd turned at your touch.
"I'd like to go with you, Helena," you had assured.
"You would?" she smiled hopefully.
"If you want me there, of course I'll be there for you."
"Aces," she smiled.
Admittedly, it's a little awkward now to be sitting in the lobby of the obstetrician's office. There are a few other people in the room who are obviously couples, both the mom and dad and you're here with Helena, your flat mate. Helena must feel slightly awkward as well for she keeps shooting you a brief smile, trying to reassure you or herself is unclear.
The awkwardness only intensifies when the doctor mistakes you as Helena's partner. Helena had quickly corrected the mistake, but you can still feel the blush in your cheeks ten minutes later, after Helena is laying on the table, the doctor performing the ultrasound.
You manage to forget your embarrassment the second you hear the heartbeat though, beating so fast like hummingbird wings. Helena laughs happily when the doctor tells her the baby is developing perfectly.
"Would you like to know the sex?" the doctor asks Helena, and okay, you had no idea it was going to be this appointment. It's so monumental. Helena slips her hand into yours, and you look down to see your fingers entwined.
Helena nods vigorously, her grip on your hand tightening only slightly as she audibly answers, "Yes, please."
The doctor studies the screen for a few silent moments then turns to Helena smiling. "Ms. Wells, you're having a girl," he pronounces.
Helena's eyes tear up at the pronouncement. "A girl?" she whispers. "I'm having a little girl?"
The doctor nods, still smiling.
Helena holds your hand tighter still and she can't contain the smile on her lips. "Myka, I'm having a little girl," she laughs.
Without thought, you drop a kiss in her hair, tears in your eyes at the sight of her tears. "I'm so happy for you, Helena," you whisper. "What will you name her?" you ask because instinctively you know she already has a name chosen.
"Christina," she replies without hesitation. "Her name is Christina."
When you step out of the doctor's office, Helena is in a bit of a daze; still high on the fact she's having a daughter. Being perfectly honest with yourself, you're in bit of a daze as well. You were able to listen to the baby…Christina's heartbeat, saw her image on the sonogram. Helena has the sonogram picture still clutched tightly in her hand, unable to stop smiling at the photo.
It's raining again, as it so often does here, so you open the umbrella you've brought with you, the only umbrella. It's a habit now to take walks together around the city and Helena purposefully neglects to bring her own umbrella, preferring instead to share yours. You can't bring yourself to mind as it allows you the simple pleasure of being so near to her, loving the feel of her arm linked through yours just as it is now.
"I think this news deserves a celebration," you speak as you walk along. "What would you like to do?"
Helena turns shining eyes on you. "Anything?"
"Anything," you assure.
"I do have a bit of a craving for ice cream just now," she admits.
"Ice cream it is. Would you like some pickles to go with it?" you grin.
Helena smirks at you. "I hope for your sake, my cravings never become so odd as that, for you will likely be the one who will have to fulfill them, Chef Bering."
"I'll gladly fulfill whatever cravings you have," you promise.
Helena looks at you, seeing that you mean what you say. She draws your linked arms closer.
"Thank you, Myka. It means a great deal to me that you were able to share this with me today," she says softly. "I didn't think I'd have anyone to share this with," she says touching her stomach, "but now…" her words fade as she glances away self-consciously and there is so much you want to say to her, but your own words fail to surface.
It's just as well. You have no idea how to explain all you feel for her and wonder if you ever should even try.
You arrive at the ice cream shop and before another word can be spoken, you both step inside the little shop, the sweet scent of fresh made cones and the sight of dozens of colorful ice creams taking precedence.
Managing to find a little table for two in the corner of the shop, you settle at last with your ice cream. You've both opted for cups rather than cones and as you take a spoonful of strawberry ice cream, you look on amused as Helena takes a spoonful of the three flavors she decided on, peppermint, pistachio, and peanut butter.
"What was that remark about odd cravings, Ms. Wells?" you tease.
Helena grins. "It's all ice cream, Myka, so it can't be considered odd."
"Remind me to look up the definition of odd for you to glance over when we get home," you laugh.
Helena laughs as well. "All right, it may be a little odd," she agrees, "certainly not a combination I'd ever considered before, but it's quite good nevertheless," she proclaims, taking another spoonful and you smile at the obvious pleasure on her face.
Seeing that you've neglected you own ice cream to watch her, Helena offers a spoonful of her ice cream to you. "Would you like to try some, darling?" she smiles.
Your breath audibly hitches at the endearment that slips from her lips and the sight of soft brown eyes looking back at you expectantly. You've never really been one to share food this way, but you move on pure instinct when Helena guides the spoon to your lips and you taste the flavors on your tongue.
The taste…isn't great. It's too many flavors at once and not the right combination for your palate, but that's unimportant. What is important is the way Helena is looking at you, soft and warm, and you feel a blush spread from your sternum to your cheeks as you realize how intimate this act of sharing food can be.
Helena too, has seemed to realize the intimacy of the gesture and you're almost certain you can see a blush rise to her own cheeks before she turns away to slip another spoonful of ice cream into her mouth.
"So, a little girl then," you begin awkwardly after a moment's silence and are relieved to see Helena turn shining eyes on you.
"Yes, a little girl," she smiles cradling her stomach in a gesture you've seen her do countless times.
"Am I right to assume you were hoping for a girl?" you ask.
"Yes," Helena sighs contentedly. "I would have been fine with a boy too of course, but I admit, from the moment I learned I was pregnant, I hoped for a girl. Now that I know for sure, I feel a little more…prepared, I guess," she laughs lightly, finishing her ice cream.
"I'm glad, Helena," you speak softly. "You're going to be a wonderful mother to Christina."
Helena turns dark eyes on you that shine with restrained tears. "I certainly hope so, Myka," she breathes. "I admit, there are moments when I doubt my abilities as a mother," she says as she runs a hand through her hair distractedly.
Reaching across the table, you gently cover her hand with yours. "I can see already how much you love her, Helena. You're going to be an incredible mother," you reaffirm.
"Thank you, darling," she whispers before clearing her throat and standing from the table. "Well, now that my craving for ice cream has been sated, shall we begin our journey home?" she asks.
You nod, standing too and as you step out of the shop into the rain once more, Helena quietly slips her arm through yours with a soft smile as you begin the journey home together. Your heart beats a little faster when you feel Helena pull you ever so slightly closer.