Being Prepared
Ben walked through the door at 7 PM.
"Hey babe, I'm sorry I couldn't have dinner with your grandparents."
"That's okay. Grandma Julie sent some leftovers home for you."
Ciara kissed Ben and said, "Why don't you jump in the shower while I heat this up for you?"
"Thanks, babe."
Ciara watched as Ben walked away. He looked beat.
Ben walked out just as Ciara was putting his plate on the table.
Ben sat at the table, and Ciara grabbed him a beer.
Ciara told Ben she would do the dishes while he watched TV and relaxed.
After she finished washing the dishes, she joined him on the couch. She cuddled with him, and he placed his hand on her belly.
" Little man isn't very active right now."
" He was earlier at work. He was moving a lot."
" I should go work on the nursery."
" Babe, you worked all day. It can wait till tomorrow."
Ciara rested her head on his chest as they watched TV.
Ciara was sound asleep. She rolled over in bed to cuddle with Ben but found his side empty.
She got out of bed and found him sitting on the floor in the nursery pieces or crib in front of him.
" Ben?"
" Hey, babe, did I wake you?"
" No. I wanted to cuddle, but you were gone."
" Sorry, I just want to get this built."
Ciara watched a frustrated Ben place the pieces down when they wouldn't go together.
She joined him on the floor and grabbed his hands.
" Ben, look at me."
Ben looked at his wife.
"It's late, and you're tired. This can wait until tomorrow," Ciara said, running her thumb gently over his cheek.
" I want his room finished before he gets here."
" We have plenty of time."
" Ciara, we have a month before he is here, and he could come early."
" We have time."
" I just want to be prepared."
" I know, and I love you for that, but you really need to get some sleep."
" I just want to be a good dad."
" You are a good dad. He's not even here yet, and you are making sure he has everything."
" I just want to give him everything I never had."
" I know."
" Let's go back to bed, okay?"
" Okay."
Ben stood up and helped Ciara. They turned off the light and returned to their bedroom.
They got in bed and cuddled together before falling asleep.
The following morning, Ben and Ciara were eating breakfast and talking.
" What time is your appointment today?"
" 10."
" I'm sorry I can't be there."
Ben, it's fine. You have been at everyone so far."
After my appointment, I will stop by the garage, and we can have lunch.
" That sounds great, babe."
Ben looked at the clock, " I have to go before I'm late."
Ben kissed Ciara and her belly before saying, " I love you."
" Love you too."
Ciara arrived at the hospital and went to the nurse's station.
" Hi, I have an appointment at 10 o'clock."
" The doctor is running late. If you have a seat, we will call you."
Ciara sat in the chair and waited. While she was waiting, Belle stepped off the elevator.
" Hey, what are you doing here?"
" Hey, I have an appointment. What are you doing here?"
" I'm here on a case."
" Where is Ben?"
" He is at work. This was the only time they could fit me in."
Belle's phone suddenly rang.
" I have to go."
" Good luck."
" Thanks."
The nurse called Ciara and brought her to a room.
" I'm just going to check your weight and blood pressure."
Ciara stepped on the scale.
Ciara watched as the nurse typed on the tablet.
The nurse checked Ciara's blood pressure and said, " Blood pressure is good."
" How are you feeling?"
" Good for the most part, a little tired and some back aches."
" That's to be expected."
" I have everything I need. The doctor will be in soon."
" Thank you."
Five minutes later, the doctor walked in.
" Hello, Ciara. How are you?"
" I'm good."
" Okay, let's take a look at your little boy."
Ciara leaned back and lifted her shirt.
" Baby looks good. He's gained weight. He likes to move around."
" Yes, he does," Ciara said with a laugh.
" Let's take a listen to the heartbeat."
Ciara smiled when she heard the heartbeat.
" Nice and strong, just how we like it." I'm going to check the measurements."
" Everything looks good. You're a month away. How are you feeling?"
" Pretty good. A little tired and have some back aches."
" That is all normal."
" Here is a new picture for you. He's waving this time."
Ciara smiled as she looked at the ultrasound."
" Okay, I will see you in a couple of weeks."
Ciara wiped her stomach, pulled down her shirt, and got off the table. She grabbed her purse, booked her next appointment, and left the hospital.
Ciara headed to the garage to see Ben.
" Hey, grease monkey. Are you ready for lunch?"
" I just have to punch out."
"Perfect. I'm starving."
" Let's go."
When they got to the Pub, Ben helped Ciara with her chair before sitting in his.
" How was the doctor's?"
" Baby and I are perfect."
" That's what I like to hear."
" We have a new picture for the fridge."
" Yeah?"
" Yep," Ciara pulled the ultrasound out of her purse and handed it to Ben.
Ben smiled and looked at the ultrasound.
" Look at our little man. He's waving."
" I know he was moving a lot, so the doctor got an action shot."
They shared a laugh as the food arrived. They started eating and continued talking about Ciara's appointment.
Ciara finished eating and was looking at Ben's plate.
" You want the rest of my fries, don't you?"
" I really do."
Ben just laughed and pushed the plate closer to her. He loved seeing his wife happy.
After lunch, Ben went back to work, and Ciara went home. Ciara put the ultrasound picture on the fridge and went to the office to do some work.
After working for a few hours, Ciara decided to do a load of laundry and tidy up the house.
When Ben got home, Ciara was folding laundry in the bedroom.
" Babe, you home?"
" In here."
Ben walked into the bedroom and kissed her.
" Hey."
" Hey."
" How was the rest of your shift?"
" Good," Ben said as he removed his shirt.
" I have to shower."
" Let me help you," Ciara said as she pulled on his belt.
Ben lifted her and walked into the bathroom.
On Saturday morning, Ciara was still asleep, and Ben worked in the nursery.
He finished assembling the crib and began working on the dresser. By the time Ciara woke up, Ben was placing the changing pad on top of the dresser.
Ciara stood in the doorway and watched him.
" Hey."
" Hey, babe, did I wake you?"
" No. It's almost 11. How long have you been in here?"
" A while."
" Baby, the room looks great."
"Is this what you wanted? An animal-themed design?"
" It's perfect."
" I couldn't find the bedding or blankets."
Ciara left and came back a minute later with the bedding and blankets.
Ben helped Ciara put the sheet on the mattress. They hung a blanket with Bo's initials on the side of the crib. Ciara also placed a blanket with lions on the back of the chair.
Ben placed the toy chest he had made next to the dresser and filled it with all the toys and stuffed animals they received from family members.
They arranged the books on the shelves with stuffed animals. Ciara folded the clothes and placed them in the dresser.
She had the drawers meticulously organized. In the top drawer, she kept diapers, wipes, and essential baby care items. The second drawer contained pajamas and outfits, while the third drawer held socks, bibs, hats, and mittens. Finally, the bottom drawer was filled with burp cloths, blankets, and swaddles.
Ben set up the closet organizer for Ciara so she could store extra sheets, blankets, diapers, and anything else she needed.
She handed Ben the outfits to hang up. Once they were hung, he closed the closet door.
He faced Ciara and said, " Just one thing left to do."
" What's that?"
Ben held up the letters and said, "We need to put his name on the wall above the crib. We also need to hang these pictures."
Ciara smiled at Ben as she handed him the letters and animal pictures to hang up.
Ben put Bo's name on the wall and then grabbed the pictures.
" Where do you want these to go."
" On the wall by the chair."
Ben hung the elephant first, the lion in the middle, and the giraffe on the other end.
When Ben finished, they stepped back and looked at the wall.
" It's perfect, baby."
" I have one more thing to add. Wait right here."
" Okay."
Ben left and returned with a bag. He handed it to Ciara.
" Open it."
" Okay," Ciara said as she opened the bag.
Ciara pulled out three stuffed bobcats: a big one, a medium one, and a baby one.
" A bag full of bobcats."
Ciara smiled and thought about the first time Ben had said that.
Flashback
" Ciara Brady, you have more fight in you than a bag full of bobcats."
" Did you actually just say that?"
" I'm sorry. Did I just say that?"
" Yeah."
" I'm sorry. It's an Ozark thing."
" Do you like them?"
" What?" Ciara said as she looked at Ben.
" Do you like them?"
" I love them. They're perfect."
Ciara placed them in the corner of the crib.
" Now his room is complete."
" We are ready for whenever he decides to come," Ben said as he ran his hand over her belly.
They shared a kiss and looked around their son's room.
" It's perfect," Ciara said as she hugged Ben.
They left the room and shut off the light.
They decided to take a walk in the park and have lunch. When they returned, Ciara napped while Ben assembled the baby swing.
When Ciara woke up, she spent the rest of the day relaxing and watching TV. Ben rubbed her feet while she ate ice cream.
Ben and Ciara felt relieved knowing they were ready in case their son arrived early.