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Buck sat on the exam table, Evie in the stroller next to him babbling on as they waited for the doctor to come in. Buck smiled down at his daughter, she got Tommy’s eyes, and nose. But her hair was becoming lighter as the days went on, and she had gotten Buck’s birthmark. It wasn’t in the same pattern, but it was there. Tommy thought she had pinched her eye when he first saw it.
But they both kissed it at every chance they got. Because one thing Tommy and Buck were going to be sure of, their daughter was going to never feel self-conscious of her birthmark. Because she was beautiful.
Buck looked up when a knock came on the door and smiled in greeting as Dr. Hall came in. “Well, hi there. How are you sweet girl?” She immediately was drawn to Evie. “Are you keeping your daddies on their toes these days?” Evie babbled on.
“Isn’t that like her primary job at this point?” Buck asked with a chuckle.
“Oh yeah. So, where’s Tommy? Or are we surprising him with this?”
Buck’s brow furrowed and he looked at the doctor in confusion. “Uh, h-he’s working. Surprising him with what? I’m just here for my annual checkup.”
“Oh, you didn’t know already? Buck, you’re pregnant. According to your HcG levels, about ten weeks.”
Buck just stared at Dr. Hall. His mouth opening, but no words coming out.
“You hadn’t suspected anything, taken a pregnancy test at home?”
“No. We weren’t even trying. I’m on birth control. We were careful.” Buck closed his eyes as the dots connected in his head. Ten weeks ago, “The fucking Buckley’s.” He murmured.
“I’m sorry what?”
“We went to Hershey to visit my parents. I always get stressed out and flustered when it comes to them. I forgot my birth control. I had just picked up my new prescription the morning we left. I only missed two days. My sister brought it to me when she and her family flew out.”
“I don’t think I have to tell you that missing even one day, and birth control is not fool proof. Especially if you’re having unprotected sex.”
“He’s, my husband. I’m not going to make him wear a condom. Nor do I want him to wear one.” Buck threw his head back and groaned.
“Why don’t we do an ultrasound? See how baby is, we can discuss options after?”
“Options? You mean like termination? No way. Yeah, I’m surprised. But Tommy and I have talked about more kids. Just didn’t think it would be so soon. We’ll be having the baby.” Dr. Hall smiled and nodded, as if she already knew this but was just waiting for Buck to say it out loud.
Buck adjusted his position on the bed and lay back. “This might be cold.” Dr. Hall said.
“Yeah, I remember.” Buck chuckled as she squeezed the gel on his flat stomach.
She pressed the wand into him and moved it. Buck held his breath watching the screen intently. Releasing it only when the screen showed the little life that was once again growing inside of him. Buck smiled and reached up to wipe a tear from his eye.
“You never saw that.” He said and Dr. Hall laughed.
“Saw what?” She asked, shaking her head.
Dr. Hall printed out several photos for Buck to take home. They got his next appointment scheduled and Buck and Evie were finally on the way home.
When an idea hit Buck, and he smiled. “What do you think miss Evie, do you think we should go get dada a present? To tell him all about your sibling?” Not that he expected one, but the only response he got from his daughter was more incoherent babbling.
“My thoughts exactly baby girl.” And Buck pulled into the parking lot of the mall knowing exactly which store he was in search of.
Buck stood in line; Evie held securely in his right arm. The simple white onesie and cute little pink shirt for Evie clutched in is hand. When it was his turn, he stepped up to the register and handed them over.
“I need these customized.”
“That’ll be fifteen dollars per shirt and it’ll be about forty-five minutes. We are a little backed up.”
“Yeah, okay that’s fine.”
“Okay, what would you like on the shirts?”
Buck wrote out what he wanted each shirt to say and handed it over to the cashier. He paid for his items and left. Taking Evie over to the play area he let her crawl around while they waited for the shirts to be done.
“Hey, baby.” Tommy’s voice soothed Buck, even though he didn’t even know he needed it.
“Hey. How’s your day been?”
“It’s actually flown by. I’m just ready to get home. I miss you both.”
Buck smiled watching Evie close. “We miss you too. Hey, I want to take you out. There’s that new winter wonderland-themed park they have set up for Christmas. I think we should go there. What do you think?”
“I will never turn down a date with my husband. Especially when it can lead to something more.”
Buck laughed and shook his head. “Down boy. You’re at work and I am in public.”
“When has that ever stopped you?”
“Before I wouldn’t be in a room full of children.”
“Ah. Decided to take her to play after your appointment. How did that go? Everything good? You didn’t text me. I was getting a little worried.”
“Oh, all good. I’m sorry I didn’t mean to worry you. Evie’s been a little cranky, just trying to keep her calm. I think she’s just tired and misses you.”
“Well, you can assure her I miss her more.” Buck heard the alarms go off and he groaned. He wanted to keep talking to Tommy. “Hey babe, I’m sorry I have to run. I’ll see you both soon, I love you. Give Evie kisses for me.”
“I will. I love you too. Be safe.”
“Always, baby.” And then the line was disconnected.
Buck continued to sit and watch Evie play, and he smiled. He sat and imagined her with the new baby, and it made him want to cry. He knew he wanted to have more than one. He had Maddie and he wanted his kids to grow up having the same.
Buck’s anxiety from the appointment quickly turned into excitement and he couldn’t wait to give Tommy this special gift. Standing, Buck scooped Evie up from the play area and made his way back to the store to pickup his items.
And as they made their way back to the car, Buck started formulating the rest of his plan to tell Tommy they were expecting baby number two.