Perfectly Unexpected - Finished

Chapter Twelve - Feelings

It was time for my 20 week ultrasound. Half way through, the moment I'd find out what gender my baby was. I was excited but nervous, a mix of both emotions causing an uncomfortable feeling in the pit of my stomach.

Daniel was with me. Daniel was always with me, it seemed. We had grown closer and closer in the few weeks we had lived together, to the point where we felt inseparable. I felt guilty because I realized I was using his friendship to fill some hole in myself that Sam left. I hoped that the growing connection we had wouldn't fade as I got over Sam.

“Here, I have your smoothie, your peppermints and some toast to go. You ready to head out?” Daniel asked.

“Ugh, my hero.” I said with gratitude.

Daniel had been making sure I was eating well. He was truly a God-sent, and I envied his ex wife in a way. Some small part of me wished that she had gotten the chance to experience this with him. The rest of me knew she didn't deserve it.

The car ride was short, and I was thankful this hospital had Saturday ultrasound appointments. Jasmine was going to meet us there.

We met in the hospital parking lot. We exchanged hugs and a hand squeeze before walking into the hospital. We got directions to the ultrasound section. I checked in, got a loose bracelet, and sat down.

“Kassie?” A nurse called from a side hall. The three of us hopped up and followed her into the ultrasound room. “Hi, my name's Jessica and I'll be doing your ultrasound today.”

I gave her a small smile and laid back on the bed. She tucked a small towel into the waistband of my shorts. She squirted warm gel onto my stomach – a routine I had come to know – and then began moving the wand.

“I'm going to take some measurements. Before I start, do you want to find out the gender when we get there?” Jessica asked.

“Yes, please.” I said, butterflies building.

“Ok. So, right now we're looking at the spine. There's the heart, let me just get a heartbeat... nice and strong. Here's the belly. An arm, the hand, fingers.” She pointed to each thing on the screen, lingering on each one for several minutes while she took measurements. “Okay momma, the moment you've been waiting for.”

“Ok, I'm ready.” I said.

“Looks like a girl to me.” She said.

“Wow! A girl!” I said.

“Yay! We'll have a mini to shop for!” Jasmine said.

Daniel joined in with a small laugh at our enthusiasm.

She was growing as expected and healthy.

*

I walked out Monday morning into the kitchen from my bedroom. I had chosen a rose pink dress. As everything was, it was tight on my stomach and showed off my ever-growing and now very noticeable bump. I paired it with a black cardigan. I promised myself I would shop for maternity clothes, but for now, stuck with switching flats for heels.

Daniel had coffee and breakfast waiting. I thanked him, and was happy to have a few minutes together before we left for work. We ate standing at the counter holding our plates, a normal routine for us now. We chatted and left our dishes in the sink. We argued on the way to work about whose turn it was to do them – also a normal routine.

I realized we had a lot of normal routines. He cooked breakfast and we chatted while we ate together. We came home every night and I sat on the counter as he cooked dinner, talking about our day. We ate together in front of the TV. Conversation was always easy, but sitting in silence was never awkward or unfulfilling. I realized I could really see a life with him... maybe I WANTED to see a life with him.

I got in office, and walked into Sam's office to give him files for our current cases. It was whatever he would need for court that day.

“Kassie, hi, how was your weekend?” He asked – this was usual small talk to paint over the wounds, making sure no one would notice our awkwardness or suspect a falling out. 

“Good. I found out the baby is a girl. She measured perfectly!” I said. This would be normal conversation if he wasn't the father of my baby pretending he wasn't.

“Congratulations.” He muttered.

I nodded and walked out, almost knocking into Jasmine. A smirk came over my face.

“Hey Jasmine!” I said enthusiastically.

“Hey, Kassie. What's new?” She said, confused by my sudden glee.

“Daniel made the most amazing omlet this morning. Can I just say – I really think I'm falling for him. I was noticing this morning how much I enjoy spending time with him... I think I like him, like... LIKE him.” I told her. Normally, this is not a conversation I would have at work. I said it loud enough for Sam to hear. It was evil. It wasn't that it wasn't the truth – it was. However, it wasn't right to use that to make Sam jealous.

“Kassie, can you close my door please?” Sam said with heavy overlays of annoyance in his voice.

Jasmine and I grinned at each other and I closed his door.

“Were you serious?” She asked.

"I am. I like Daniel."