A few days later they went back to the doctor again. Dr. Richard had already done a blood test to determine the gender of the child.
"The baby seems healthy," he said smiling.
Marsha let out a breath she didn't even realize she was holding.
"Thank GOD," she whispered.
Dr. Richard prescribed Marsha prenatal vitamins.
"I want you to take this twice a day," he said.
Marsha nodded.
"Of course," she replied.
"One more thing," Adrian asked, "What are we having?"
"A baby," Dr. Richard said, confused.
Trudy laughed.
"Is it a girl or a boy," she asked.
"It's a girl," Dr. Richard said smiling.
"Somehow I had a feeling it would be."
Adrian kissed her for a long moment.
"I can't wait."
And he meant it more than anything he'd ever meant anything in his life.
Trudy would spend as much time as she could at her parents' while the older girls were at school and daycare. She would do cleaning and chores, take her mom to appointments and any errands. She would bring groceries and leave cooked meals ready to eat.
Marsha didn't always feel right about accepting the help. She thought Trudy looked tired and thin. After all she was taking care of her daughters and the house, still going to the orphanage as well as taking care of Marsha
"I just don't know how to do enough to repay what you're doing for us Mom. And I want things to be as easy as possible for you."
"Honey," Marsha said, "I love you."
"I know," Trudy replied, "I love you too."
"I appreciate everything you do," Marsha explained, "I just worry about you. You need to take care of yourself too."
"I do," Trudy promised, "In fact Adrian and I are thinking about seeing a show next week."
"What show," Marsha asked.
"It's called Wicked," Trudy replied.
"You should go," Marsha said, "Your dad and I would be happy to watch the girls."
"We were thinking about taking the girls with us," Trudy said, "They all love the Wizard of Oz and they've all wanted to see Wicked."
"Sounds like fun," Marsha said.
"Do you and dad want to come with us," Trudy asked.
"Sounds like a plan," Dwight said coming into the room, "But WE are going to buy the tickets for all of you."
Trudy grinned. She hugged both of her parents and said "thank you so much."
It was a great show. The girls sat riveted the whole time. "I liked the Time Dragon!" Hope stated later. Ava said "My favorite was when Elphaba was flying!"
They requested to listen to the soundtrack nearly every day. They would play "Wicked" and argue about who would be Glinda and who would be Elphaba. Annie usually liked to be Madame Morrible.
Time seemed to go by fast and the days started to get a bit cooler. It was a lovely sunny day with the leaves on the trees just turning their bright colours. It was the time for Marsha's second ultrasound appointment.
Marsha lay comfortably on the table. Dwight was holding one of her hands. Trudy was holding her other hand. Adrian held Trudy's free hand.
Dr. Richard smiled.
"The baby looks perfectly healthy," he said, "She's growing on schedule. How have you been feeling?"
"A little bit of morning sickness," Marsha admitted.
"Mom," Trudy asked, "Why didn't you tell me. I could have gotten you mints and ice water and-"
"It's not bad," Marsha explained, "I had the same morning sickness when I was pregnant with you. You also need to take care of yourself too honey. You have six and ½ kids."
"Six and ½?"
Dwight laughed. He knew what Marsha meant.
"One that needs another 8 months to grow," Marsha explained, "and six that are in the world already."
"Oh," Trudy said laughing, "I get it."
"I would try pretzels and crackers for the morning sickness," Dr. Richard said, "Ice water isn't a bad idea either but you need to sip is slowly."
Marsha nodded.
"Thank you," she said as the gel was washed off.
Later as Trudy and Marsha were by the swimming pool Marsha noticed a bruise on Trudy's leg.
"Is that a bruise," she asked.
"Yes. I accidentally banged my leg into a coffee table. I already checked. It's nothing to worry about."
Marsha sighed in relief.