“Oh, Reagan.” Mom drops her head into her hands. Even through a screen, the disappointment is felt thousands of miles away. “How on earth is this going to work out?”
“Well, he wants to be here for me. So we’re starting there.”
I know that we will be living in different countries after the baby is born, but right now, I’m just trying to make it through the day without puking. Easier said than done.
“Is he a good guy?” Dad pipes up.
I nod my head. “Yes. His name is Leo, and he wants to go to all my appointments with me and help with the baby.”
“You’re going to depend on him for everything?” Mom’s voice is higher than usual.
“No, Mom. I’m perfectly capable of doing this myself. Just because he’s the father doesn’t mean I’m not going to be able to support myself.” I know my mother is worried about me, but it still grates on me that she thinks I’ll depend on Leo for everything. I don’t plan to. I’ve been supporting myself since I graduated. I don’t have any plans of relying on one person now.
“That’s fine, dear, but how do you plan on letting Leo help when you move back home?”
I groan, rubbing my temples. This is not the way I wanted this conversation to go. “Mom, you’re not helping. I can’t think that far ahead, because right now, the only thing I can focus on is not getting sick all day.” The nerves that settled in my stomach are now roiling. I can feel it coming on again.
“I’m sorry. It’s just quite a surprise, that’s all. I remember when I was pregnant with you that I was sick all day for my entire pregnancy.”
“Again, not helping here, Mom.”
“So what does this mean for work?” Dad’s voice comes through loud and clear.
“I’m going to continue to work.” I leave the implied duh off the end.
He gives me a knowing look. “I know that, Reagan. You’re damn good at your job. I just meant once the baby comes, you’ll be all alone in a foreign country.”
“I’d hardly call Australia a foreign country.” I roll my eyes in frustration at my parents—but also at myself for my reaction to his words, since I have had the exact same concern. Time to move this conversation into safer territory. “Maybe you guys could come down for a visit.”
Mom turns to Dad, her expression considering it. “We’ve always wanted to go. Might be the perfect time to do so.”
Mom and Dad retired a few years ago and take one big trip every year, staying for a few months and then coming back home to spend the summer with my brother’s kids. They love it.
“So maybe I won’t be alone?” I shrug as they turn back to me. “But I know I’ll be okay. I’ve got a great doctor, and she’s taking good care of me.”
“Can we meet this Leo character?” Dad crosses his arms, trying to look imposing.
“Not if you’re going to play the overprotective parent role.” I quirk a brow at him. He huffs in response.
“Fine. But maybe once you’re feeling better, we can meet him.”
“I would love that,” Mom chirps up. Her face is friendlier now that the initial shock is out of the way. “Are you going to find out the sex?”
I shake my head. “We’re not. It’s already a surprise, so we figured we could wait.”
“I want a granddaughter. Wouldn’t it be great, Jim, to finally have a granddaughter?” Mom turns to Dad, patting his arm.
“It would be nice. But boy or girl, I’ll be happy.”
“Right, of course. We’re happy for you, Reagan. Really.”
I wish the feeling in my stomach was happiness to match theirs, but I know it’s not. “Listen, I need to go. My stomach isn’t feeling too well.”
“Right. We won’t keep you. Send us all the updates, and we love you!” Mom pulls the camera toward her, the rocking motion pushing me over the edge as I rush to the bathroom and get sick. For the third time today. I didn’t think there was anything left, but apparently there was.
When it finally passes, I sink down against the cold tiles of the bathroom. I hope to God it's not like this through the rest of the pregnancy, because I don’t think I’ll survive.
“How are you feeling today?”Leo has taken it upon himself to pop into my office every few hours to check on me. If I had more energy, I’d be annoyed with him. At this point, I’m too exhausted to tell him to do much of anything.
