Chapter 27- It's A...
As Riley sat on the exam table with an ice pack on the back of her head, the doctor examined her for any sign of concussion.
"That was quite a fall, Riley." The doctor shined a penlight in her eyes. "How are you feeling? Dizzy, nauseous?"
"Well, yeah. I have been sick off and on for a week. But from the fall, no." Riley replied. "About what you said before? Pregnant, are you sure?" The doctor nodded.
"'Afraid so, Riley. But you do have options, here." The doctor raised an eyebrow. Riley got her hint and shook her head, vehemently.
"Absolutely not. I'm sorry, doctor." Riley exclaimed. The doctor raised her hands.
"No judgement. I am just letting you know." The doctor defended. Riley nodded and hopped off of the table.
"I understand and thank you for the information, but that is one option I won't entertain." Riley smiled at the doctor. The doctor nodded and left the room to let Riley get dressed. She stopped at the nurses' desk to make an appointment for a check up next month. They had her scheduled for the 31st. Halloween, really?
When Riley got home, she pulled out her phone to check her calendar. At this point, although she was ashamed to say it, she had no idea if this baby was Lucas' or Evan's. The doctor said she was about 4 weeks along. That would mean Lucas was most likely the father. Of all people. How was she going to tell Evan? Maya? Her parents? Riley began to hyperventilate and tried to calm herself down. She was not going to tell anyone about this, she thought to herself. She could handle this on her own. She would be fine and when it came time to tell people, she would do it her own way.
A week later, Riley was in the car with Josh and Maya on the way to her 20 week doctor's appointment. Maya was buzzing with excitement. She kept caressing her belly and talking to it.
"Hey, Little Bean. How are you today?" She spoke gently. "It's Mommy here. I can't wait to see whether you are a boy or a girl. I love you." Josh placed a free hand on Maya's growing belly.
"It's Daddy here. I love you, Bean. I have got so many plans. Mommy and Daddy love you so much." He placed his hand in Maya's and squeezed as she looked at him, beaming with adoration. Riley watched this display with slight revulsion. The two of them were so sweet, it almost made Riley physically sick.
When they finally got into the exam room, Maya, used to this routine by now, got into position on the table and waited for the doctor to come into the room. Maya and Josh were in their own world. Riley wished that she had just a fraction of that, but the father of her child was 1700 miles away and she was not his preferred type, apparently.
Suddenly, Riley felt nauseous and ran from the room to find a bathroom. She vomited in the nearest toilet she could find. Rinsing out her mouth with cool water afterward, she looked in the mirror. She looked so tired and pale. Maybe she should not be here. This was Maya's special moment and she was just being a downer. She walked back into the room and approached Maya.
"I'm sorry, Maya. I just don't feel well. I am just gonna go lie down in the car. Is that okay?" Riley explained.
"Is everything all right, Riley? You don't look so good. Really pale, right Josh?" Maya, concerned, turned to Josh for confirmation. He nodded and gave her the keys to the car.
"Just please try not to throw up on the seats or on the floor. Please." Josh requested. Riley nodded and disappeared.
Moments later, the doctor came in with her assistant.
"Afternoon, guys. Are we ready for the big ultrasound?" the doctor asked. Maya and Josh nodded simultaneously. "All right. As usual, gel, transducer, et cetera." She continued. The doctor took pictures of the baby's head and spine. She took measurements and assured that the baby was growing normally.
"Okay, ready?" The doctor asked. She moved the transducer around Maya's belly, attempting to capture the sex of the baby, but the baby was clever and turned over when she would get close. Frustrated, Maya admonished the baby.
"Little Bean, I need you to stop moving for a moment, so Doctor can get a good picture of you. Okay?" As if the baby was listening, it stopped moving just long enough for the doctor to take a picture. Maya and Josh exchanged astonished looks.
"Whoa!" Josh exclaimed. "That actually worked." Maya laughed lightly.
"Of course it did. I'm Mom." They both turned toward the doctor, waiting. The doctor pointed out all the important items like the blood flow to the heart and how fast the heart was beating, which they could see on the monitor.
"You sure you guys want to know?" The doctor asked, teasing playfully. She turned the monitor so it was facing the two of them. Using her mouse pointer, she circled the area where the sex organs were located. She typed in the letters:
B-O-Y
Maya and Josh looked at each other, both crying. Josh pressed his forehead against Maya's.
"It's a boy, Maya. We're having a boy." He whispered.
"A boy, Josh. I love you." Maya replied, kissing his nose. Looking at the doctor, she smiled. She handed Maya a tissue and the cd with the photo and video of the ultrasound and left the room. Maya sat up and wiped her belly off with the tissue and slowly slid off the table.
Later on, at Maya's house, Josh and Maya were cuddling on the couch, fingers intertwined. They were still in shock after learning that their baby was a boy.
"Josh, do we have any names for Baby Boy here?" Maya asked, rubbing her belly. Josh contemplated for a moment.
"How about Oliver?" Josh suggested. Maya shook her head, wrinkling her nose.
"No, I don't like that. How about Liam?" Josh shook his head, vehemently.
"No way! Ah, I got it! What about Jason?" Josh tried again and Maya shook her head. Her face lit up.
"No, I have the perfect name. His name is Gabriel, after your middle name." Maya smiled proudly. Josh nodded approvingly.
"I like it, but he needs a middle name. How about…Shawn? Since he is such an important piece of your life." Josh offered. Maya's eyes filled up with tears.
"Gabriel Shawn Matthews. It's perfect. That is our boy." Maya kissed Josh on the lips and lay her head on his shoulder.