Page 117 of The One I Hate
Bucket list item: check.
Chapter 27
Simon
“Quit pacing.”
I look over to Charlie, who is lying in a gown at the OB/GYN’s office, ready for her twenty-one week appointment.
Also known as the day we’ll find out that Baby Bug’s a girl.
“I’m sorry.” I sit down in the chair next to her, though my leg is still bouncing a mile a minute. “I’m just so excited.”
Charlie reaches for my hand, which I obviously give her, cupping it in both of mine. “I know you are. And so am I. But we’re not finding out today,remember?”
She narrows her eyes at me, which I’ve started fondly calling the “it’s your fault” look. “I know…But won’t it be that much more fun finding out at the gender reveal party?”
“The gender reveal party that I thought was going to be small but you’re going overboard with?”
“The very one.”
“So you’re excited that you want to know the gender right now. But you don’t want to know the gender because you want to be surprised at the party?”
“Exactly. It’s the baby father version of having your cake and eating it too.”
I kiss Charlie’s hand as our laughter fills the exam room. I love this woman for many different reasons, but this week’s main reason is because she’s letting me “go full Simon” with the gender reveal party. Her words, not mine. It’s on New Year’s Eve, and we are ringing in the year with a reveal. I’m talking live band, cake, cupcakes and every pastry Mellie can whip up, and of course, activities for all ages, including games and an indoor bounce house for the kids and betting tables for the adults on every single thing we can bet on when it comes to the baby.
This isn’t your normal gender reveal party—it’s a Simon gender reveal.
Go big or go home.
“Hello, Charlie. Simon. How are we doing?”
“I’m a little tired,” I say. “Busy, you know. Work. Baby coming.”
Charlie, along with Dr. Monty, give me the same baffled look.
“Oh, you weren’t talking to me. Got it.”
“Ignore him,” Charlie says. “I try to most of the time.”
This makes Dr. Monty laugh as she prepares Charlie for the ultrasound. I’ve been to every appointment with Charlie, but I don’t know if I’ll ever get over the awe and admiration I have during this process. Seeing it on the monitor. Hearing the heartbeat. Listening to Dr. Monty as she tells us about the growth, it’s…I have no words. It’s like the love I have for Charlie and the baby triple each time I see it. I can only imagine what I’m going to feel like the day Baby Bug is born.
“There it is,” Dr. Monty says. “Baby is looking good. Strong heartbeat. Have you felt it kicking yet?”
Charlie nods. “Yes. I’m already planning on karate classes in my future.”
“Sounds about right. And you want me to put the gender into an envelope without y’all knowing?”
“Yes—”
“No—”
Charlie’s confused look says it all. “No?”
I smile and kiss her hand again. “Put it in the envelope, but can you make two? One for the party, and one for us.”
Dr. Monty smiles. “Absolutely. They’ll be ready for you at the desk.”
