A week after I came to my apartment, my life felt different. I spent a week at my apartment and got the things that needed to be done. I scheduled my first doctor's appointment and my work schedule. Tomorrow was my first week back in a while. I woke up early and got ready for work. I got to work, and it felt weird to be there. I felt sick again, but I needed to work through it. 

Mila texted me throughout the day, and she wanted to come over. I agreed, and we planned to meet up and my apartment.  The rest of the day went as usual. After my shift ended, I went home. I pulled up at the apartment complex, and Mila's car was there. I wanted to unwind before we talked. I parked my car and began walking up the stairs. I pretended not to see her so she wouldn't speak to me yet. 

"Heather, wait!" I heard as I walked up the stairs. I turned around and acted like I didn't just see her. She got out of her car and ran up to me. "Hey, you didn't see me, did you?" She asked, standing beside me. "No," I lied. I wanted to smile, but I held it in. I put the key in, and we walked inside. 

"Give me time to unwind, and I'll be back," I told her. I sounded pushy when I said that. "I'm sorry," I apologized, "It's been a long first day," I explained, "It's okay, I understand," she said.  She sat on the couch, and I went to shower. 

After I showed up and got dressed, I returned to the living room, and there she was. She was sitting on the couch, on her phone. She heard my footsteps and looked up. She watched me sit across from her. "How was the first day of work back?" She asked, "Good, it was long but worth it." I smiled. "Are you excited about the doctor?" She asked. "I guess," I replied. 

We chatted for a few minutes, and she then left. I sat in my lonely apartment, thinking about David and the baby.  

A few days passed, and I continued to work. My doctor's appointment that day. My family asked if they wanted them to come, but I declined. I got to the doctor's and sat in the waiting room. I waited until my name was called. The lady called me back and walked me to the room. The doctor asked me questions before we began.

I got to see the baby. My heart melted seeing the baby. I knew this was my baby. This was my baby. This want I wanted. I wanted to be a mother, and It finally happened. "Heather, you're far enough where I tell you the gender. Do you want to know the gender?" She asked. I paused for a second. 

"Yes," I replied. She paused for a second and stared at the screen. "Okay, It's a girl!" She said. I was excited to know the gender. It made it more real. I left the doctor's appointment and drove to my parent's house. Mila texted me that she was at my parent's house. I walked through the door, and they were all sitting in the living room chatting. 

"Hey," I said. "What's the gender?" My mom asked. "I'm not telling y'all yet," I smiled. I decided not to tell them yet. "I have an Idea!" Mila yelled, "We should do a gender reveal party. We could all set it up." She said. I didn't plan on doing a gender reveal. I planned on telling them later on in my pregnancy.  

"Yeah, I guess I could do that," I told them. I left, and Mila stayed there with my family. As soon as I left, I install regretted my decision. I was too stressed to plan any party. I texted Mila on the way home, told her the gender, and asked if she could host the party instead. She agreed, and she seemed more than happy. I felt terrible for not wanting to host my gender reveal party, but I didn't think it would be a big deal because I already knew the gender.

I went home and checked the mail. I had a lot of mail in the box. When Bradley was here, I was still stressed out, but not as much because he helped me financially. I shouldn't call him Bradley because that Isn't his name, but I knew him as Bradley, not David.

I sat on the couch and opened each bill. There were about five bills, and I opened all of them. I read each bill, and they were all expense bills. I had paid either halfway on them or didn't pay some of them at all. I was barely working, and I wasn't able to work like I used to anymore. I sat on the couch feeling stressed. 

How was I supposed to pay these bills? Maybe I can try paying half of them, but I can't because it's too high. I started to feel dizzy, so I lay on the couch. I thought about what Mila said. She said I should think about moving back into my parent's house. If I were to move back, things would be different. I would have so many bills I didn't have to pay. Someone could watch her as I worked. I could have so much help. I would be in so much debt doing this alone. 

I planned on asking my parents about my gender reveal party. I knew they would say yes because I'm their daughter. After I sorted out the bills, I got ready for bed. 

A few days passed, and it was time for the gender reveal party. My whole family was going to be there, including Mila and Herny. Mila and Herny came over to help me. Mila helped me with my makeup and dress while Herny sat on the couch the whole time. I wore a pink dress for the color I wanted and wore one side of my face with pink eyeshadow and the other side with blue eyeshadow. 

I told my family to wear whatever color they wanted for the baby's gender and I would wear both colors. Mila drove us to three of my parent's houses. The party was going to be in their backyard, and everyone had to stay inside except Mila and Herny. I wanted to help them set up outside, but they didn't want me to. Henry didn't know the gender. Only Mila, the doctor, and I knew. All of us except for Mila and Herny. The rest of us stayed inside and sat on the couch. About an hour later, they both came inside and said it was okay to come outside.

They put decor all over the place. It looked nice, and I was happy.  My mom put the food outside on the table. We talked for a little, and it was time to pop the balloon. I popped the balloon, and the confetti was pink. Everyone came to hug me, and it was a good day. 

We chatted for a while and ate the food. I asked my parents if I could live with them. I felt nervous for some reason even though I already knew they were going to say let me. They agreed, and they were excited for me to move back home. My brother, Jarred. His wife, Ruby, and their daughter Adrian went home, leaving Mila, Herny, my mom, dad, and me. It soon got dark, and the four of us cleaned up the backyard, and Herny drove the three of us home.

A/N: Hey, guys! Here's another chapter released. I'm almost done writing this story. I have around three chapters left, and my new story should be out next month or in March. I have been writing this story for four months now. Well, that's it. Have a good one! 

Published: January 10, 2023