Potions of Love 2 - Postscript
A Very Merry Christmas
Chapter 1
A/N - #1 - Life has been crazy these past several months, but this little story kept popping into my head, so I decided it would be fun to try it as I work my way back into fanfiction writing. I hope you enjoy this tidbit where we follow up on Kate's announcement to Rick and their parents during their dinner in the Potions of Love 2 epilogue.
The last scene from the Potions of Love 2 Epilogue …
After a few minutes, with everyone sharing their thoughts about Rick and Kate's decision to live in San Diego, Kate reached into her purse and pulled out a brightly decorated gift bag that she handed to Rick, saying,
"And this move will be even more exciting this Christmas," she prompted Rick to open the bag.
Rick's eyes pop as he looks at Kate, saying, "This is for real?"
Kate laughed and said, "Yes, Daddy, it's real,"
Rick dropped the sack, pulling Kate close for a passionate kiss before bending down to retrieve the contents of the bag, holding it up so the parents could see, as he said,
"These are perfect," he said as he held up a set of Harley baby leathers with the words "Ride, Baby, Ride!, embossed on the back of his unique gift.
After sharing their exciting news with their parents …
Rick was quiet during their drive home after sharing the news of the jobs they secured in San Diego and the incredible announcement that Kate was pregnant with their parents. Kate is confident she knows what is causing her usually talkative and animated husband to look bewildered, along with his tranquil demeanor.
Kate let Rick process his thoughts until about an hour outside Garland, AZ, where they would stop to pick up Neddie, who had been staying with Todd and Lanie. After telling Rick and their parents about her pregnancy, Kate knew that she also had to tell Lanie, or her best friend would never forgive her.
"Babe, talk to me. What are you thinking? Are you struggling with the thought of us having a baby in a few months? I know our pregnancy was a surprise, but we both have learned that some of the sweetest things that have happened in our lives have been unexpected," asked Kate as she was concerned about her husband's reaction.
Rick shook his head as if trying to organize his thoughts as he reached across the space between him and Kate and took her hand, placing it on his knee as he answered, "Kate, I am over the moon to think we are going to have a baby, but I will admit I was not expecting that was what you were going to say when you pulled that beautiful bag from your purse. How long have you known you were pregnant?"
The tone in Rick's voice changed somewhat as he asked the question that Kate had been anticipating. She was slightly surprised that he had waited this long to ask.
Kate turned in her seat, as much as the seatbelt would allow, and she smiled at their linked hands before saying,
"I just learned last week."
There was a silent pause in their conversation as Rick could sense his wife had more to say. As he expected, after a few contemplative moments, Kate continued,
"As you know, I have been feeling a little different the last few weeks. My stomach was upset, but I kept thinking it was a bug. But when it didn't clear up, I got thinking, so I checked my calendar and noticed I was late. Truthfully, I was surprised you hadn't said something, as you know my cycle as well as I do. But I also knew we both had been so busy deciding to accept our new positions in San Diego. So I thought maybe it was because of stress."
Kate paused, looking out the front windshield before continuing, "If Lanie lived closer, I would have gone to her, but since that wasn't an option, I went ahead and went to our doctor. Dr. Gray did a preliminary test and immediately referred me to a local OB-GYN, who confirmed my suspicions. Even though I felt it was a strong possibility, I was shocked and utterly blown away when the doctor gave me the test results."
Rick is quiet again and then asks the all-important question that has been running through his thoughts since Kate gave him the special gift, "Why didn't you tell me right away?"
Kate sensed hurt in Rick's voice and wished they weren't riding in a car so she could slip into his lap and feel his arms around her as she tried to explain what she thought would be a unique way to tell him they would be parents.
Kate pulls their joined hands back to her and places them over her heart as she tries to explain her reasoning for delaying sharing her news with her beloved husband.
"Babe, I wanted it to be unique for you. We talked about having kids but thought we would wait until we were settled into our new home and adjusted to our jobs. And I knew we would see our parents in a week and I thought it would be extra special to tell you when we were all together. Did I make a mistake? I am so, so sorry if I hurt you."
Kate's eyes began to fill with tears as she again turned and stared out the window while keeping a tight grip on Rick's hand.
Rick gently slipped his hand from Kate's grip and guided the car into a nearby parking lot, where he turned off the engine and reached to pull his wife into his arms as carefully as he could with them still in the car.
"Oh, sweetheart. I am not hurt. I was just surprised, and I think my thoughts are spinning. I would have loved to be with you when you received the news, but I understand, and the more I think about it, the more I love how you told me. Baby leathers are very appropriate for us," Rick said, giving Kate one of his megawatt smiles.
Rick then turned into Kate and shared a passionate kiss, as he gently pressed his hand against her stomach where new life, where their baby was growing.
The two lovers returned to reality, sensing where they were parked, and thought they should move on before drawing a crowd as restaurant guests walked past their vehicle. Both began to laugh as Rick looked both ways and carefully pulled back onto the highway. Once he had the car back in cruise control, he reached for Kate's hand, bringing it to his lips where he kissed each finger before saying,
"Kate, I am the happiest man on earth. Having a baby with you is the best thing that could ever happen to me, to us. I love you so much!"
After spending a few minutes loving up Neddie, Rick and Kate shared their fantastic news with Lanie and Todd. They received the anticipated reaction from Lanie, who insisted on being updated on every aspect of Kate's pregnancy. Then Todd shared his congratulations, and the new parents-to-be headed home. Once in the house with Neddie settled back into her environment, Rick brewed Kate some tea and snuggled up with her on the couch, where they shared thoughts about their next steps in preparing their lives for a new little addition to the Rodgers family.
Rick smiled and said he was hoping they would have a little girl. Kate laughed and suggested he might want to talk with her Dad before deciding he wanted a mini-Kate. Then Kate turned to Rick, placing her hands on each side of his face as she pulled him in for a long and enticing kiss as she shared,
"I would love to have a little boy with deep blue eyes like his Daddy and soft brown hair that flops down on his forehead as he giggles and runs through the house. But whether we have a little boy or girl, as long as they are healthy, we know we will love our little one to the moon and back. And remember that our parents will be overjoyed and spoil their grandchild like crazy."
Kate also shared that she had spoken to her new boss at the clinic and was relieved that she was supportive of Kate and her pregnancy, assuring her that with the latest technology and techniques they learned during the COVID lockdowns, they would be able to coordinate with her to work from home when needed, and also shared that she is expecting their third child.
Hearing Kate's news, Rick then called his new employer to share their news and was informed that even though he will be a new employee with their pharmacy program, they will work with him so he can have up to six weeks of maternity leave if he too would agree to work from home on an as-needed basis as it relates to training some of their new pharmacists.
With their new jobs beginning on the first of May, Rick and Kate started to plan feverishly not only for their move to San Diego, which included selling their current home and searching for a new one, but also determining how best to acclimate to their new jobs. Their parents became invaluable assets as they knew everything was fast-tracked for their children's move and worked alongside Rick and Kate as they helped them through their transition.
Jim and Johanna again called on their realtor friend to help their kids search for a family-friendly home, with Martha offering to help them financially if needed. Lanie and Todd, though sad to have their friends move further away, were ecstatic about becoming godparents and were all in on helping Rick and Kate pack and move to San Diego. Lanie, being her usual bold self, suggested they look for a place with a spare room so she could come and spoil her new godchild as often as possible.
Jim and Johanna's realtor friend was able to locate a ranch-style home in a neighborhood between the Beckett home and Martha's loft. The house was recently remodeled by a young couple, who were also planning for their first child before learning the husband was being transferred back to the Midwest for his job.
Martha worked with friends from the Coronado Theater set department, who helped Rick and Kate with unique changes; the couple wanted to make the house their own and assisted in setting up their garage and storage shed for their Harleys. Lanie and Todd came to San Diego a couple of weekends to bring items Rick and Kate had in storage and helped tow their Harleys to the Rodgers' new home.
With many significant transitional tasks completed, Rick and Kate focused on orientation and training for their respective positions and, of course, Kate's pregnancy. The young couple coordinated Kate's appointments with their work schedules, enabling Rick to join Kate on all of her appointments.
The next appointment would include an ultrasound where, if they choose, they can learn the sex of their baby. Rick is enthralled with the pregnancy and wants to know if they will have a little girl or a boy. Kate is following the path of her mother and wants to be surprised. There have been several 'conversations' related to the decision.
Rick emphasized that it would be easier to decorate the nursery, and they could focus on gender-specific decorations. He would remind Kate that their family and friends are already discussing shower gifts.
"Wouldn't it be nice if they knew whether we were having a mini Kate or a mini-me? They would be able to be more specific when making their selections. Rather than our baby having all yellow or green outfits."
Kate loved her husband so much and was thankful she had him by her side during this new phase of their life. She enjoyed being pregnant and knowing that regardless of whether she had a boy or a girl, the new life would be part of them. Kate would not admit it at this point, but Rick's rationale for knowing about their baby was winning her over. She decided to wait and surprise him with her decision at their next appointment.
The day of Kate's ultrasound was here. Both she and Rick took the morning off so they could not only go to the appointment together but also have time after for a private celebration, even if Kate stuck to her guns and chose not to learn the baby's sex.
Rick insisted on preparing a special turkey bacon breakfast with scrambled eggs and fresh fruit for Kate. Telling her she needed her nourishment, especially today. Kate couldn't link having a special breakfast today to the others he always fixed for her. But she knew her husband was almost as nervous as she was, so she let his statement pass.
They had arrived at the doctor's office twenty minutes early, so they took seats in the waiting area. Rick was fidgeting and finally began walking around the room, pretending to be intrigued by all the magazines in the rack. Kate smiled as she watched her man-child rocking back and forth on the balls of his feet as he thumbed through an old issue of Field and Stream. Her Dad selecting that magazine would make sense, but Rick? No. That confirmed that she had made the correct decision to learn if she was carrying a sweet little girl or boy.
"Kate Rodgers," called the receptionist.
Thank you for reading, and I will post the next chapter on Christmas Day.