“Can you check on the turkey?” I call out to Reaf, struggling to keep my voice steady. This isn’t exactly how I pictured celebrating the first holiday in our new house.
It’s not necessarily a bad thing. But I don’t know that I’m ready to go through this again. And this seems to happen around holidays.
“Sure,” he answers. “What am I checking for?”
I’m not exactly sure. “Watch a video online. I think that plastic piece is supposed to pop up when it’s done.”
“Next time…we aren’t hosting turkey day.” His voice is closer and I’m pretty sure he’s standing outside the door. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah,” I sigh. “Totally fine.”
The bathroom door is the only thing that separates us, and I remember when he talked through my bedroom door the day we were married. Little does he know we may be hitting another big milestone for our little family.
“Okay.” He’s hesitant. “Let me know if you need anything?”
“I will.” Right now, I just need him to go to the other room. Anywhere that isn’t outside the bathroom.
My whole body has felt odd the past couple of days, and I thought it was nerves about hosting at first. But here I am sitting on the toilet waiting for this pregnancy test to say yes or no.
It’s the first time I’ve done this in a long time. The last time, it was when I found out I was pregnant with Layla. This time around, I’m not a teenager freaking out about my next steps in life. Reaf and I are in a much better place in our lives than I was at eighteen.
There’s a knock on the door. “Mommy, are you almost done? We have to make the cookies before everyone gets here.”
“I’ll be out there in a few minutes.”
“Okay.” Her feet thump across the floor as she runs away from the bathroom.
I lean over and check the test. One word shows up on the screen. This is either going to make Reaf extremely happy, or he’s going to freak the hell out. One way or another it looks like our lives are changing.
I wrap the test in toilet paper, though this time I won’t be chucking it into the trash. With the test firmly in hand, I open the bathroom door.
All those feelings I felt years ago come rushing back. At that time, I was getting ready to disappoint my parents and figure out how to do motherhood on my own.
This time, though, I’m excited to share the news with my husband. Reaf is leaning over the open oven when I walk into the kitchen. He keeps looking from his phone to the oven and his eyebrows are furrowed. I guess the turkey thing is a little more than he can handle.
“You may want to close that for a bit.” The last thing I need is for him to get overly excited and fall into the oven itself. Then we’ll be in the emergency room instead of spending the day with our families.
“Why? Is everything okay?” He’s still studying the turkey. I should have just waited until tomorrow to take the test, but I had to know.
“Everything’s fine, but we need to talk.”
He closes the over door and turns toward me. He glances around the kitchen for Layla to make sure she isn’t in here. Always concerned with when she might be listening in.
“Nothing good ever comes from those five words.”
“This might.” I shrug my shoulders.
The movement is enough for him to notice my hand. “What’s that?”
“This,” I hold the piece of plastic between us, “is what I wanted to talk to you about. We’re going to be parents again.”
He doesn’t bother with words. He throws his arms around my waist and pulls me close to him. “Are you serious?”
“Yes,” I laugh as he spins me around. “It’s still early, obviously, but my body felt weird and I figured I should test just in case.”
“Oh my God,” he lets go of me. “We need to tell Layla, and our parents.”
“You realize they’re going to be here in like an hour, right?”
“Yes, but how am I supposed to sit on this news for that long?” He pulls me to him once again, and his lips smash into mine. All the love and excitement he feels pours into the kiss.
“Why are you always kissing?” Layla walks into the kitchen.
Reaf reluctantly pulls away and laughs. “Layla, sweetie, me and your mom have something to tell you.”
“Is Daddy picking me up tonight?”
“Yes,” I nod. “They are coming over after they go to Charleigh’s family.”
“Okay. Just making sure. Charleigh said we’re putting up the tree this weekend, but Asa will probably get in the way and tear it all down.”
There are times I really wish I had that sibling rivalry, but it’s something I’ll never experience.
Reaf kneels down on the floor so he’s eye level with Layla. “You know how Asa is your baby brother?”
“Yes.” The word is slow and drawn out. I swear this child has the attitude of a teen sometimes.
“Well, me and your mom are going to have a baby.”
“Another brother,” she slaps her hand to her forehead. “Why can’t I have a sister?”
Laughing, I reach down and move her hand. “We don’t know if it’ll be a brother or sister for you, yet. But we wanted you to know you’re going to be a big sister.”
“Can I name it?”
“I think we’ll take care of that.” I kiss her on top of the head. “Are you okay with this?”
She rubs her ear between her fingers, something she does when she’s thinking. “Yeah, but I’m really hoping for a sister. I can share my dolls with her.”
Seeing her excited fills me with so much happiness. “Why don’t you get out a bowl and we’ll make the cookies?”
“Finally.” She rushes over to the cabinet.
The doorbell rings as we’re putting the cookies in the oven. “I’ve got it.” Reaf heads to the door.
Within minutes my parents and Reaf’s mom are pouring into the kitchen.
Layla runs up to each of them, giving them hugs. “Guess what?”
“What mijita?” My mom asks.
“Mommy’s having a baby.”
All of our parents gasp and crowd around me and Reaf. Questions are coming at us rapid fire. I probably should have told my sweet girl to let me and Reaf tell everyone. But I’m glad to have the outpouring of love and support. Reaf and I will have to celebrate later…when we’re alone.