Against the Odds (Fighting to Survive #2)(10)

I clap my hands and say, “Can we have a gender reveal party, too?”

“I have no idea what that is, but if you want a party, we can have a party.”

I explain to him what a gender reveal party is and then I call Mom and Margie. Robert and I get online and buy some girls clothing in size five and some in size six. We also buy a few age-appropriate toys and board games for a five-year-old. Robert and I also shop for some baby things: towels, washcloths, baby shampoos, and lotions. We have a good day at home together.

Mom calls and said that she called my doctor and got the sex of the baby. She said he was at his office and she didn’t have any problem getting it from him. Since he is also her doctor, he already knew our hesitation about learning our baby’s gender.

“Do you want to have a gender reveal party next weekend?” Mom asks.

“Next weekend would be good. We meet with the attorney tomorrow morning with the other family.”

“You get to meet your daughter tomorrow? Can we go with you?”

My belly does a somersault at the thought. Stay strong, Leah. You’re doing great so far. “I don’t think it’s a good idea to bombard her with too many people. I don’t want to frighten her.”

“I understand that. I guess you’re right. You and Robert go and meet your daughter in the morning and next weekend you can find out if you are going to welcome a son or another daughter into your family.”

My mother can be very persistent. I tell her, “Next weekend will be good.”

“Perfect, I have plans to put into action, a party to get ready for and a granddaughter to impress.”

I laugh and we both hang up.





Chapter Two: Meeting Our Daughter

Robert

Leah’s inner strength started to come out today. I use to see it daily, but since Jamie’s death, it’s been less and less. I don’t know if it’s pretend or if she is becoming more like her old self. I don’t know and I don’t care. If she can put on a smile and a happy face, so can I.

Leah and I shop for baby items and things for a five-year-old girl. We buy items from home and share the laptop. We each put items in the cart and it turns out to be very therapeutic. She laughs and in turn, it makes me laugh.

She tells me that Sue knows the sex of the baby and that the gender reveal party is being planned for next weekend. Leah and I are both excited to know the sex of the baby.

“Do you think you’ll be up to it?”

“I do. I’m not dreading tomorrow. God gave us another daughter, and we get to meet her tomorrow. I’m happy about that.”

I want Leah to be able to handle the emotions that a day like that tomorrow will bring. But I don’t want to upset her, either.

“It’s going to be very emotional tomorrow.”

“I know that and I’m prepared for it. Ace, don’t worry about me, I can handle this.”

I look at Leah and she looks strong. I can see something in her eyes that I haven’t seen in a while. Determination? Willpower? Strength? I can’t tell. But it does let me know that she can handle it.

“Okay, we’ll meet our Lil girl in the morning and find out if we have a son or another daughter next week.”

Leah walks over to me and hugs and kisses me. “I love you, Robert.”

“I love you too, Sweets.”

The day is filled with laughter and happiness. We place stamps on the envelopes and get them ready to be mailed. I hope the meeting with the attorney and the other family goes well. After dinner, Leah and I attempt to sneak out through the gate. We want to pick up a baby doll for our daughter. We want something to have for her when we meet her. We also wish to go to the cemetery and spend some time with Jamie. More news vans are parked outside the gate today than there was yesterday. They see the dark Jeep with nearly black windows and start walking towards the gate.


“Don’t they have anything better to do than sit there and wait?” Leah says.

“I guess not, I’m sorry.” I drive past the gate towards home.

“It’s like they know this is our rental car. Where do they get their information from?”

“I have no idea. I’ll call Mom and have her pick us up something for tomorrow.”

“That’s nice, but I was hoping to pick it ourselves.” She looks sad and then adds, “You know what?” Before I can answer, she says, “A gift from the grandmas and grandpas will be perfect. I’ll call my Mom and Dad. Maybe they’ll want to get her something, too.”

“Problem solved.” I pull up to the house and I swear I can see something different in Leah. She’s trying so hard to be strong. We walk to the mailbox and mail the thank-you cards that she made out for everyone. Once we are inside the house, she tells me she needs to make some phone calls. Good, because I need to make some phone calls, too. I call Bruce and ask him if he can somehow have the cemetery cleared tomorrow of the news crews so Leah and I can see Jamie without being harassed. I explain that we aren’t able to leave without being followed. He tells me he’ll pick us up tomorrow and he’ll do what he can about the cemetery. I explain that Leah and I will need to go to the cemetery before we meet everyone at the hospital. He tells me he understands and it’s not a problem for him to wait. He tells me to take all the time we need at the cemetery.