Sorry for the wait! Things had been hectic with the end of the semester and finals. Anyways, hope you enjoy this chapter. I'll try to post more soon!
Two Days Later…
On the way back to D.C., they all made a stop in Williamsburg, Virginia to go to Busch Gardens as Cal had promised Emily. After everyone purchased their tickets and entered the park, they all sat down on a bench and looked at the map to decide what rides to get on first.
"I say we should get on Apollo's Chariot first!" said Emily excitedly, "And I get dibs riding next to Dad."
"Oh come I think the carousel is more my speed," said Cal.
"Come on Lightman, you too scared to go?" asked Loker.
Cal hesitated, "No," he answered more out of being afraid to be shown up by his employee than out of actual truthfulness.
"Aw Dad, I'll hold your hand if you want," joked Emily. Cal, Emily, Ria, and Loker got in line for the roller coaster after giving their bags and loose items to Gillian who was waiting at a bench at the exit. Cal sat down on the end next to Emily, then Ria, then Loker on the other end.
"So this restraint will be nice and tight right?" asked Cal making sure it was snug.
Emily grabbed his hand, "You're fine Dad," she said as the ride lurched forward. The train climbed up the first hill before slowing down towards the top and going over the first hill. The four screamed and laughed as the coaster twisted it's way through curves and bends. When the train pulled into the loading station, the group unhooked their lap bars and headed towards the exit.
"Can we do that again? That was great!" said Cal excitedly.
"I thought you didn't like roller coasters?" asked Ria.
"There are a few exceptions," smirked Cal. They all made their way over to Gillian who smiled at her husband, step daughter and employees. The rest of the day was filled with fun as they rode the other three roller coasters. The group then took the time to ride some rides that's Gillian could get on, like the carousel. The group decided to have lunch in the German pavilion to see the Oktoberfest show. After lunch, Emily insisted on going to the Build-a-Bear station.
"Emily, aren't you a little old to be building a bear?" asked Cal curiously.
"You're never too old to build a bear," smirked Emily, "Bedsides I'm not building it for me, I'm building it for Munchkin."
"For who?" asked Loker.
"That's what we call the baby," said Gillian, "Just until we find out whether it's a boy or a girl." Loker nodded his understanding.
"Hey, like Em said, you're never too old to build a bear," smiled Ria holding up an unstuffed black bear.
"Fair enough," said Cal finding a seat near the stand waiting for his daughter and coworker to finish. After they were done, Emily bounced over to Gillian and held up the stuffed panda bear in her hand, "Do you want this now Gill or should I save it for your baby shower?"
Gillian chuckled and took the bear from Emily, "I'll put it with some of the other baby stuff we already have when we get home. Thank you Emily."
Emily beamed, "You're welcome."
The five decided to ride some more rides so they headed to the bumper cars where Cal and Loker spent the entire ride racing Emily and Ria like it was a NASCAR race.
"Loker my drove better than you," scolded Cal as they exited the ride.
"Did not," said Loker.
"Did so," smirked Emily.
"Fine, I surrender," pouted Loker jokingly putting his hands up in the air. The last thing everyone did was see the Irish dancing show and then spend some time in England, mostly because of Cal's insistence. Everyone said goodbye in the parking lot, so they could all head home. Emily climbed into the back seat while Cal helped Gillian into the front seat. Three hours later, the family was back home in D.C. they dragged all of their suitcases into the house and sat down on the couch after a long day.
"That was such a great vacation. Thanks for taking us Dad," said Emily kissing him on the cheek.
"You're very welcome love," said Cal and then gestured for Emily to sit down, "Love, could you please sit? Gill and I have something we'd like to tell you."
"Is something wrong?" asked Emily apprehensively sitting down next to her father.
"No, no," Gillian chuckled, "More of, we're just letting you know that we decided we're going to find out the sex of the baby at the next ultrasound."
"I thought you guys didn't want to know until the birth?" asked Emily in surprise.
Gillian looked at Cal and said, "Well I didn't at first but then I started to think about it and figured it would be easier if we knew the gender ahead of time."
"Makes sense," said Emily, "Then we don't have to be gender neutral when shopping and decorating the nursery."
"Which is something we really have to start doing love," said Cal taking Gillian's hand.
"Well, we can't really convert Emily's room, so I guess the guest bedroom will become Munchkin's room," said Gillian.
Cal nodded, "That will work."
Emily looked at the time on her phone and said, "It's been a long day and I'm exhausted from all the fun we had today. Goodnight Dad, goodnight Gill."
"Night Em," they both said simultaneously.
Cal looked at Gillian and said, "Well what do you say love? Shall we call it a day as well?"
Gillian nodded and stood, "Come on Cal, let's put this baby to bed." Cal stood up and rubbed Gillian's abdomen and kissed it before the couple headed upstairs for the night.