Reunited After 25 Years 51

"This is my husband, Anton," Andrea told Dr. Keller. "I told him I might have an ultrasound."

"And so you shall."

After writing down all Andrea's basic information and medical history, the doctor asked if either of them had a history of birth defects in their families. "Not that I know of," Andrea replied, and Anton shook his head.

At last it was time for the ultrasound. Andrea lay back on the table while the ultrasound technician smeared a cold gel on her belly, then moved the wand over it. Andrea and Anton watched in wonder and awe as their baby's tiny body came into view.

"At this point the baby's head is as large as the rest of its body," the technician told them. "This structure is the eye, and here's the femur, the thigh bone."

"Wow," Andrea breathed.

"At this rate of development, I'd put your due date at about the middle of October," the technician told her. "In a few weeks, the baby will be large enough that you can feel its movements." She printed out some ultrasound photos for them to take home, and the receptionist scheduled Andrea's next appointment.

"Actually seeing the baby made it seem so much more real, didn't it?" Andrea commented as she walked back to the car with her husband. "I can't wait to show these off!"

Anton grinned. "Dasha is very excited about going to be older sister. She will be happy to see them."

They stopped at a submarine sandwich place for a quick lunch, and then Anton dropped Andrea off at the library and went to work himself.

Andrea's friends at the library all made a big fuss over the ultrasound pictures, and that evening after dinner, she and Anton went to Denny and Darya's to show them the pictures as well.

"Oh, let me see them!" Darya squealed, practically ripping the pictures out of Andrea's hand while Anton chuckled indulgently.

"Look, Denny! My new brother or sister, and yours as well!"

"Yeah," Denny muttered, glancing briefly at the pictures.

"Oh, let me see!" Suddenly Fawn was there too, squealing excitedly over the pictures just like Darya. "It is exciting, is it not, Denny?"

"I guess so."

"I am so happy for you, Andrea," Fawn said, giving her a warm hug. "I know that you will be a wonderful mother to this baby just like to Denny. I am happy for you too, Anton."

"Thank you," said Anton.

Andrea was quiet on the ride home, and when Anton parked the car in front of the house, he saw that there were tears in his wife's eyes.

"Andrea." His voice was tender as he gently touched her cheek. "Why are you crying?"

"Even Fawn acted happier over the baby than Denny did!" Andrea erupted.

Anton chuckled lightly. "Well, it is more like a woman to be excited over baby pictures than a man!"

"But it's Denny's brother or sister! It isn't even any relation to Fawn!"

"Perhaps he is jealous."

"Jealous? That's what you'd expect from a two-year-old, not a twenty-year-old!"

"All his life he had you all to himself, and now suddenly he will have to share you with someone else."

"But he's an adult now, Anton! He has his own life!"

"Even so." Anton grinned and shook his head. "I think you worry too much, Andrea. It is going to be all right."

By now it was very late, and they both had to go to work the next day, so they didn't stay up for very long after they got home.

"You know what?" Andrea asked as they lay cuddling together in bed that night. "I forgot to ask if it was still OK to make love."

Anton smiled. "So ask next time."

'But that's a whole month away!" Andrea protested. "Maybe I could call tomorrow and ask the nurse, or something."

She stretched in contentment as Anton lightly ran his fingers up and down her back. "Go to sleep, Andrea. It is all right. There will be plenty of time for that later." He kissed the tip of her nose, and she snuggled closer to him.

"I love you, Anton."

"I love you too, Andrea." Within moments, they were both asleep.