Chapter 13

5/15/2040

Luca awoke with his stomach clenched. When Luca jumped out of bed and bolted for the bathroom, he must have startled Patrick out of his slumber. When the foul bile rose in his throat, he barely made it. Luca leaned over the toilet and threw up his dinner from the night before.

"Are you okay, Babe?" Patrick called out from his room. Patrick got out of bed and went to the bathroom after hearing the noises. The air was filled with the stench of vomit. Patrick became concerned when Luca's belly spasmed while he vomited.

"I hope his being sick doesn't harm the baby," Patrick thought to himself. As if hearing thoughts, Luca raised his head and said, "I sure hope this doesn't continue throughout my entire pregnancy."

Luca leaned against the tiled wall, wiping the tears from his pale cheeks. Perspiration had formed on his brow and neck.

"Here, let me assist," Patrick offered. He took a wet rag and washed Luca's face and neck. Luca attempted to stand, but his shaky legs forced him to sit back down.

"Here we go," Patrick said, wrapping Luca's arm around his neck, picking him up, and carrying him to the bed in bridal style.

Patrick prepared something to hydrate Luca, who was too weak to walk.

Luca had fallen asleep by the time he returned.

"Get up, babe," "I've got some soup," he said. Luca yawned and slowly opened his eyes. "Did you take a good nap?" Patrick inquired. "I feel drained from throwing up," Luca yawned again. "However, the nap helped," he said.

"Let's get you up so you can eat," said Patrick. To make Luca more comfortable, he placed the pillows behind him. Patrick put the tray on Luca's lap after he had his back to them.

Back in the kitchen, Patrick made a grilled cheese sandwich and some tomato soup for himself. He went back into the room and sat down on the bed.

"Do you think they'll be upset that I haven't finished my work yet?" Luca asked as he raised his head. "This is your work," Patrick said, shaking his head. He said, "They can't fire you for being pregnant." Patrick smiled back at Luca and continued eating when he saw that he was relaxed and giving him a sweet smile.

Luca paused and said, "Um, Pat." "What do you want? A girl or a boy, "

Patrick sat silently, deep in thought. "I don't care what we have as long as he or she is healthy," he said. He noticed Luca had lowered his gaze and was now chewing on his bottom lip. " "What's the problem?" Patrick enquired. "You only make that face when something is on your mind," he explained.

"Will you love the baby even if it has a disability like mine?" Luca asked, raising his gaze.

"Of course I will," Patrick said solemnly.

5/22/2040 (1 month pregnant)

Today was the day for them to find out the gender of their child and whether or not he or she was healthy. Luca ate his breakfast while Patrick drank black coffee and ate a slice of toast. They cleaned up the kitchen after breakfast and went to the doctor's office. They sat and waited after Luca was checked in. Luca discovered and read another baby magazine. Patrick smiled internally as he looked at Luca. Since that fateful day, Luca had been researching everything he could about the pregnancy.

"I'd like to ask the doctor if my disability will have an effect on the baby," Luca said, looking up from his magazine.

"Go ahead if you're worried," Patrick said, taking Luca's hand in his.

A nurse emerged from the door. "Mr. Hodges," she said, calling his name. Luca and Patrick rose from their seats and followed the nurse into a room.

"I need to take your weight and blood pressure," said the nurse. Luca stepped onto the gray scale and remained motionless while the nurse recorded everything. He then sat on a chair and allowed the woman to take his blood pressure. When they were finished, they followed the nurse into another room.

"The doctors will see you as soon as possible," the nurse said as she exited the room.

Patrick observed Luca pacing.

Patrick squeezed Luca's hand after noticing his mind was racing.

He remarked, "Love, it's all right.

Luca said, "I just want to know if our baby is okay."

Patrick squeezed Luca's hand and said, "We will once Dr. Caldwell gets here." Just as the door opened, Luca let out a sigh of relief.

Bringing their dependable clipboards with them, Luke and Evan entered the room.

"Hello, how are you doing today?" Evan inquired.

I hate the nausea, but I'm doing okay, said Luca.

Patrick said, "We've started preparing special meals for the blood pressure."

That's great, Luke remarked.

Doctor Evan walked out of the room and returned with the ultrasound machine.

"We'll see how your baby is doing," he said.

"Will I be able to see the gender of our child?" Luca inquired.

Evan nodded and said, "Yes." Luca lay on the bed, raising his shirt. While the doctor squeezed cold gel on Luca's belly, Patrick held his hand to reassure him. Evan fiddled with the buttons while moving the long instrument around Luca's stomach.

After a few moments, the doctor stopped and turned the screen so everyone could see.

"Do you want to hear the heartbeat of your little one?" he asked.

"Yes please," Luca said, nodding his head. Evan reached up and turned a knob. Ters streamed down Luca's face when he witnessed his baby's strong heartbeat. Luke handed Luca a tissue, on which Luca wiped the happy tears.

"See, babe, our baby is healthy," Patrick said, smiling.

"Want to find out if you are having a boy or a girl?" Evan asked. Luca smiled and nodded.

Evan resumed fiddling with buttons on the machine while he moved the wand around. When he found what Evan was looking for, he turned the screen so Luca and Patrick could see.

"Folks, it looks like we have a healthy baby girl growing inside of you," Evan said.

"We'll have a daughter," Patrick said joyously.

"A little girl," Luca said, his hazel eyes sparkling with delight. Both doctors stood there watching the happiness that Luca and Patrick shared.