Page 16 of April is for Asher

Even though she doesn't protest my announcement, she also doesn't agree. I know now is not the time to talk about it. We don't even know if we’re having a boy or a girl.

Know when to pick your battles and it is not it today. I want her to have a good day full of fun, so that she has great memories here at the refuge. Because bottom line, I want her to look forward to coming back, not dread it.

After the toddler egg hunt, I head over to grab myself some lunch. Because while I made sure Jenna has eaten, I still haven't. The food is in another heated tent and Lily is catering. Over the years, she has catered several of the events here and is now the only one to cater the Easter egg hunt because she's who everyone requests.

The only exception to that was last year. I forget what happened, but she wasn't available, so the town decided to do a potluck style, which turned out pretty good. But collectively I think they were all relieved when they found out Lily was going to be catering again this year.

What really catches my eye is that she's talking with Mack. Granted, he still has his Easter Bunny costume on, and for whatever reason, that seems to help him relax. She's laughing and I can tell from his body language that he is too.

But they also catch Ruby's attention. One thing I know is that he's not going to be thrilled to know that if Ruby even catches the hint of something between them. She will try to play matchmaker. Later I'll do the benefit of giving him a heads up.

As I stand there staring at all the families having fun, I'm realizing how easily Jenna has adjusted to my life. She's talking with families, giving directions and seamlessly fits into my life better than I ever thought a woman could. She’s only been living with me for a couple days. How entangled will our lives be in six weeks?

CHAPTER9

JENNA

Today isthe day that we find out whether our little baby is a boy or a girl and I'm so excited because. Asher is certain that it's a boy and I have a feeling that it's a girl. Emma, Luna and Kinley came over the other day and we did some of the old wives’ tales to see what they said. A majority of them said, girl.

So, today is where we find out who was right.

With my appointments being in the afternoon, I came in and worked half a day, and I'm leaving now. Asher is supposed to meet me there. I guess one of the benefits of working in a doctor's office is they understand the amount of stress that I am currently under. Even though they're doing everything they can to make the transition from one of their offices to the other as smooth as possible. A move in general is still stressful when you're pregnant.

When I need to take these half days for things like doctor's appointments, they’ve been very lenient and I am so grateful.

When I get to the doctor's office, I am there first, so I park and take my time walking in. After checking in, I sit down in the waiting room. While I’m waiting, I text Asher.

I don't get anything back, but I figure he's probably driving and almost here he doesn't want to bother trying to read a text message. It's one thing I noticed, he's a very safe driver.

When the nurse comes out and calls the other two ladies that were in the waiting room before me, I start to get nervous. He's always been early to these appointments. To the point that most of the time, he beats me here, even when I leave early. Then all the doubts I used to have as a kid start scrolling through my mind. I have to remind myself that he's not my dad.

Asher's proven that he's going to show up and be here for me. But my confidence dwindles when the nurse comes out and calls my name.

Following her to the back, I go through all the normal check-in procedures.

“The baby's dad should be here at any time. His name is Asher. Will you let him come on back?” I say, as she shows me to my room.

“Of course, sweetheart. All he has to do is check in at the counter.”

Once she leaves and I am in the room alone, I take out my phone and call Asher. Hoping maybe it's just a traffic delay and I can ask the doctor to wait. The phone rings and he doesn't pick up. So I hang up. And try again, still nothing.

Just as I'm trying to get a handle on my emotions, flutters in my belly start. It's our little one moving around and trying to get my attention. It's like he or she is reminding me that I need to stay strong for them, and that is so much more important right now.

So, I take a deep breath, sit down on the exam table, and wait. The doctor must be behind because I wait for a little while. But then my phone rings, and I breathed a sigh of relief that I didn't realize I was holding.

“Hey, I'm here. Are you okay?” I ask answering the phone.

“Don't be mad, but I'm not going to be able to make it in time,” his voice fills my ear. But instantly, I'm that sad, upset little girl whose dad didn't show up at her ballet recital. Or the scared teenager dealing with a broken arm, whose father couldn't even be bothered to pick up the phone.

“I don't care what your excuse is. This was important and it's our child,” I say, trying not to let on how upset I am getting into my voice.

“Listen, I know and I would be there if I could. I just couldn't avoid this. Please let me explain.”

“I really don't care what your excuse is,” I tell him, hanging up the phone.

My dad would say the same thing. It was unavoidable and he couldn't get to me in time, or it was important for him to keep his job. For this client who just came out of nowhere. And for a while, I believed him. But the older I got, the more I could tell there was always something more important. Another woman, or maybe it was just the high of chasing the job, I don't know. But his kids never made his priority list.

There's a knock on the door and my doctor steps in. She does her normal checks and then leads me down the hallway to the ultrasound room. The tech there is all smiles, and I realized this should be one of the happiest moments of my life.

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