“Yes, my future sister-in-law is tasked with helping with the reveal.”
“I love those,” she replies. “I’ve seen some really cool ones over the years. All right, so I’ll do a quick scan and take some measurements, and then I’ll see if I can find an angle where you can see your baby without spoiling the surprise.”
“Perfect,” Charli says, relaxing once more as the ultrasound begins.
The tech clicks and taps away, taking measurements and photos of the baby. I can see part of the screen, and while I know what I’m looking at, I don’t really understand it. “All right, Mom and Dad. We have some great shots.” She turns the screen, and says, “Meet your baby.”
All I can do is stare at the most perfect profile I’ve ever seen. Eyes, nose, mouth, arm, everything appears as it should and I feel myself relax.
“I’ve taken some great photos for you, and everything is measuring on track for your due date.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Charli murmurs softly, and I can tell she’s crying. She gets a little emotional nowadays, so it doesn’t surprise me to see her cry at the moment we see our baby.
She turns the scanner and shows us different angles and more features, and if I thought I was in love with this baby before, I’m completely gone now. Seeing our baby on the screen will be something I’ll never forget. The joy, the excitement, and even a bit of fear, but I believe most new or expectant parents feel that way, right?
Shelby prints images for us and places a folded slip of paper inside an envelope, sealed. “Here you go,” she replies with a smile, sending us on our way.
We’re both all smiles as we finish at the front counter and exit the building.
Now we just have to wait until Saturday.
Finally.
The moment of truth.
Everyone is here. Well, everyone but my family. Oh, I invited them, but my dad and his new wife are out of town and my mom didn’t show. Shocker. Probably because today isn’t all about her, and she knows I won’t let her monopolize the day. This is about Charli and me and our new baby on the day we find out if we’re having a boy or a girl.
Charli’s parents and siblings are here, as well as their significant others. Sommer, Wyatt, Alex, and Robby too, as well as a few other close friends we wanted to share this moment with.
“If I can have everyone’s attention, please!” Oaklee hollers over the voices as we all stand outside the barn.
Charli is wearing a white sundress that shows off her baby bump perfectly. I’m not sure which I like more, seeing that bump on full display or the white dress. It gives me ideas…
I’m in a white button-down short-sleeved shirt and khakis, at Oaklee’s request. She warned us not to wear something we weren’t in favor of getting a little…dirty. We pressed her on it, but all she did was smile and say, “You’re on a farm, you know.”
I can feel Charli vibrating with excitement beside me. My arm is around her shoulder, hers around my waist, while we wait.
“A few days ago, I was tasked with one of the most important jobs I’ve ever been given, to help Charli and Quinn learn the sex of their baby. I spent days researching creative ways to make the announcement and settled on this one because I knew it would mean a lot to both Mom and Dad. Wyatt also gave me a strict list of no-nos, because we wouldn’t want to hurt the horses or cows.”
I glance over and see Wyatt grinning from his perch in the seat of a tractor. The bucket is lifted high above the ground, covered in black plastic.
“I know we’re all starting to bake in the sun and dying to know, so let’s get to it!” she proclaims, earning cheers of excitement from everyone surrounding us. “Charli, Quinn, if you would please come stand here,” she adds, pointing to the spot beneath the tractor.
“She’s not about to dump water on us, is she?” Charli asks quietly as we walk to the place she’s indicated.
“No, I’m pretty sure she’s not dumping water on us.” I don’t tell her what I think it is.
“Ready?” Oaklee asks.
I notice Lizzie standing off to the side, recording on her phone.
“Ready!” both Charli and I reply at the same time.
She taps a few buttons on her phone, and we hear the revving of a four-wheeler. No, two four-wheelers. All eyes immediately go to the barn as the two four-wheelers race out and take off across the pasture.
“Holy shit,” Charli cries, as we all laugh at the scene play out.
On one unit is Cade, dressed in a blue shirt, with blue balloons and streamers trailing him. The other unit is manned by Camden, who is wearing a pink shirt and what appears to be a pink bonnet, with the same balloons and streamers following him but th color indicates a girl.
