Chapter 74 - Pregnancy Check-Up

Today Angeline and Bryan are in the hospital. They check Angeline's pregnancy. Bryan looks excited when he sees the tiny universe on the monitor. Bryan waves to the screen and greets his baby. "Hello, Universe. This is your daddy." "Thank God Bryan and Angeline's baby is healthy," the doctor says. Bryan smiles happily. "Universe looks just like me," Bryan remarks. Angeline laughs in agreement and is grateful that Universe looks like Bryan. "Yes, thank God." In Dr. Edward's office, Bryan keeps looking at a sonogram of Universe, smiling alongside Angeline. They seem to ignore Dr. Edward's presence. "Our baby is really cool, even though it's still a fetus," Bryan says, still filled with joy. "You have a big smile," Dr. Edward comments. "So is our baby's development healthy?" "Yes, except that Universe's head is a little larger." "What are you talking about? That's nonsense, the head size in my family is all normal," Bryan says, looking at Angeline. "The big head of the universe is not because of me. My head is small, and my family's heads are small too," Angeline denies. Dr. Edward smiles at her antics. "Don't worry, having a slightly larger head for the universe is not a problem at all. So don't worry. Your worries are exaggerated," Dr. Edward explains. "So, can you guess the sex of our baby? Dr. Edward must know. After all, Dr. Edward has been a doctor for 35 years. So he must be experienced. I want to buy clothes, so I need to know if I should get pink or blue," Bryan asks enthusiastically. "Let's get both, pink and blue," Angeline suggests, and Bryan nods in agreement. Now Bryan and Angeline visit a baby supply store and are surprised to find that the saleswoman is Angeline's prenatal class teacher. "Isn't that Mrs. Paul? Do you work here too?" Bryan greets her. "No, but I'm Mrs. Paul's twin," she replies. "I have a mole on my nose and she doesn't. Would you like to buy some baby bottles? They are great for helping babies drink their milk and promoting independence so mom can be a little more relaxed while feeding," she continues. Bryan listens intently. "In that case, I want to buy all the baby bottles," Bryan says enthusiastically. "Don't do that! Why all of them? Babies grow fast and they won't need bottles after a year," Angeline objects. "I don't want to, baby bottles have different functions. One is bacteria-free and the others have different purposes, so I want them all. Please wrap them up," Bryan asks the shopkeeper. "Alright," the shopkeeper complies with Bryan's request. They buy a few other items as well, laughing happily. After finishing their shopping, Angeline and Bryan want to go home. Suddenly, Angeline spots mannequins displaying matching family outfits for parents and children. "Do you like these?" Bryan asks. "Does something like this look childish?" Angeline asks. "No," Bryan denies. "I know a lot of men don't like to wear matching outfits with their partners," Angeline says, then turns her attention to a white teddy bear doll on display. "Wow, that teddy bear is so cute. Universe will have fun playing with this white teddy bear. "Well then, let's buy two of those teddy bears and can you wrap up both bears and a set of those family outfits, please?" Bryan asks, also buying the clothes on the mannequins to indicate that they are a family. Angeline is delighted. Tonight, before going to bed, Bryan and Angeline decorate their baby's crib. Even though Universe's birth is still far away, Bryan seems very enthusiastic about this task. Finally, they finish preparing the baby's crib. Bryan then sits on the edge of the crib and holds out his hands to Angeline. Angeline, still standing, accepts his outstretched hands with a sweet smile. "Angeline, when will Universe be staying in this room?" "Hmm, maybe around February 14th." They are both happy because their baby has chosen a beautiful date to enter the world, February 14th, Valentine's Day. "And when is Angeline's birthday?" "My birthday is July 23rd, and that's the day after tomorrow," Angeline answers, and Bryan looks surprised. "Angeline, you must be joking." "No, I'm not. I really was born on that date. Why do you ask?" "Because July 23rd is my birthday too. Wow, are we switched twins? Oh no, if that's the case, we can't get married," Bryan says enthusiastically. The conversation about their birthdays continues even after the lights in the room are dimmed. Bryan lies down with his head on his hand. "But how does Angeline usually celebrate her birthday?" Angeline, sitting against the bedroom wall, stares blankly out the window. "I usually celebrate my birthday alone because my mother is busy at the restaurant." "So, what does Angeline want to do on Angeline's birthday, just tell me. If you want, I'll even pull a star out of the sky for you." "I just want me, Bryan and the universe to celebrate it together. That's enough. What about Bryan? What does Bryan want? If I can make it happen, I'll make it happen. So tell me". Bryan smiles and immediately points to Universe's mug and says that is what he wants. "You made a mug for Universe, so why not make one for me? That's not fair; I want one. Make me a Bryan mug," Bryan says, sounding like a plea in Angeline's ear, and Angeline smiles happily. "Okay, I'll make one for Bryan. I'm so tired," Angeline says. Bryan is delighted. They both begin to lie down, Angeline hugging the white teddy bear she and Bryan bought earlier, and Bryan doing the same. They face each other. "Does this teddy bear have to sleep with us?" "Huh, why not? Isn't this teddy bear cute?" "Is it allowed to sleep here just because it's cute? If I knew that, we should have just bought one; buying two was pointless," Bryan mumbles in frustration and decides to go to sleep. Before going to sleep, Angeline places a photo of her sonogram in the baby journal she created. She made this journal to record the baby's development in her womb. Angeline begins to write in the baby journal, "Hello, Universe. This is the first time Mommy says hello to you. How was your day? Mommy is very happy today. Mommy is even happier because Daddy is here with Mommy." Then, like a sketch, memories of Angeline and Bryan's closeness play out. Angeline continues writing, "Mommy and Daddy are going to be..." Angeline pauses, caresses the universe in her belly, and then continues with words on her lips. "Mommy and Daddy are becoming a real family."