Contingent – Chapter 8 | Where do we go from here

Chapter 8 | Where do we go from here

fulfill (v.)

Old English fullfyllan “fill up” (a room, a ship, etc.), “make full; take the place of (something),” from full (adj.), here perhaps with a sense of “completion” + fyllan (see fill (v.), which is ultimately from the same root). Used from mid-13c. in reference to prophecy (probably translating Latin implere, adimplere). From mid-13c. as “do, perform; carry out, consummate, carry into effect;” from c. 1300 as “complete, finish; satiate, satisfy, gratify.”

Related: Fulfilled; fulfilling. Modern English combinations with full tend to have it at the end of the word (as -ful), but this is a recent development and in Old English it was more common at the start, but this word and fulsome appear to be the only survivors.

In a way, the following weeks felt like a prison. Sometimes like his very personal Dante’s inferno. Michael wanted so much to be there for both his babies, but couldn’t. As divine and detached from worldly worries as he could appear from the outside, he was only human after all, and he indeed didn’t have the gift of ubiquity. In plain words, he could not be in all the places he wanted to be. Plus, splitting in two by osmosis wouldn’t have been enough anyway – he should have become a legion, in order to manage all the things he needed to manage, both in his professional and personal life.

Once again – what a motherfucking rollercoaster. And what a thrilling one, at that. Since receiving the news about Lisa’s pregnancy, Michael had been living in a constant emotional turmoil while managing to look all mature and collected on the outside. Doing his thing, performing onstage, spending time at public events. No worrying news had leaked so far, which was good. It was all about public relations – and about having the time to sort the whole thing out because he knew, sooner or later it would all become public. But not without him controlling what was said and how. He had an image to uphold and part of him was terrified at the backlash, if only the paparazzi caught a whiff of what was going on with Michael the man, and not Michael the entertainer, without him being aware of it. Anyway, years and years of training and discipline made him very much capable of keeping the mask solidly in place whenever needed.

Inside, the universe he now inhabited on a permanent basis was obviously very different – a mixture of happiness, terror, concern, excitement, longing and love. For his soon-to-be-born babies. And for Lisa.

And Lisa – well, she was now the most significant missing piece in his puzzle. It was absurd, in a way: how could the woman carrying his child be utterly absent from his everyday life? Possibly his future, if not as a co-parent? And yet she was. Or at least that was what she appeared to be. Michael would call her regularly, check in on her, ask her how she was. And she would always be calm, polite and detached while talking to him. However, she would always pick up the phone and be very detailed when it came to everything concerning her pregnancy. Just like it was expected to be. Just like she had promised him. So, technically, she was not icing him out at all. Not as her baby daddy, at least.

On a couple of occasions, Michael had asked her to meet him in person, but she had always refused – telling him that the first trimester had indeed been taking a toll on her. She had been dizzy and nauseous, her blood pressure was a bit higher than usual. Being too busy with his tour, forced to only check in on her from a distance, at times Michael felt like going insane. He had to admit, he was a bit of a control freak and this particular situation was extremely stressful for him. Not knowing where she was, who was around her, and telling her what.

On the other hand, Debbie had become a perpetual, unmovable presence in his life. She had reached him all over the world more than once – sometimes even when it really was not necessary. Her hold over him seemed to have gotten tighter, and Michael thought it was because the time of her delivery was approaching and she probably wanted to have him close. It made sense. Even when she had started to appear way needier than she had always been, even when she had been weirdly touchy-feely, he hadn’t paid too much attention to it and had just gently reminded her what their deal was. She had seemed reasonable – which was good. Hormones, nothing else. Women were mysterious and unpredictable that way. He understood.

Debbie didn’t know about Lisa’s pregnancy, but she was a smart, intuitive woman and knew Michael pretty well: she could tell that something was off. She had tried to investigate the cause of his tension, but he had brushed her concerns off as best as he could. He didn’t know why, but as close as he was as Debbie, he didn’t feel like sharing the news with her. Not yet, at least. Not having Lisa, he could only cling to the secret they shared – their pregnancy seemed to be the one thing connecting them, and he cherished that last privilege. He was jealous of it, and he kept it to himself as a precious thing.

All the while, there was also his business to take care of. It was a crucial moment in his career – a career that required him to always be on top of his game.

After the release of the singles Stranger in Moscow and Why in Europe, Michael had flown to Paris for a few days and then, at the beginning of September, his tour had officially kicked off in Prague. God, he hated being so far away from Lisa. He hated not having her there, with him, backstage. Or in his hotel room.

Sold-out shows in Budapest, Bucharest and Moscow had followed. The day the City Mayor had greeted him, Michael had been there but not really. His mind had been drifting off for the whole time. Miles and miles away. Part of him was back in California. Wondering how Lisa was. How their baby was. Wondering if she was going to have an ultrasound or medical examination – without him being present. Feeling like shit because he couldn’t be there with her, and getting irritated at the same time – realizing that she was the one wanting to keep a distance. And that she could do just fine on her own. She had always told him how much she needed him, and now it looked like she didn’t anymore.

It was convenient to forget that, even if they had been still married, he would have gone on tour anyway. But placing each and every thought in its own slot, it did not matter how fallacious it was, sometimes was the only defense he had left.

Toward the end of September, during a couple of days of break after his show in Zaragoza, Michael decided to try to push some buttons with Lisa. He wouldn’t be back to the United States for quite some time, and he was not sure he could wait for months before seeing her – she, and the baby growing inside of her. He had to move things along. At least some of the pieces had to fall into place – he was going crazy, and he needed to stay focused.

He called her one evening, after taking note of the time zone, wanting to be sure not to wake her up.

Feeling tense, biting his lip, he waited for her to pick up the phone and she did, a second before he started thinking that she wouldn’t.

“Hello?”

Her voice sounded drowsy and sleepy. Michael frowned.

“Lisa? It’s me… Hi… Girl, are you alright?”

He heard her yawn.

“Oh, hey. Yeah… I was just sleeping…”

“Oh, were you? I’m sorry, isn’t it around,” he checked his watch, “…noon over there?”

“Yeah. I just went to bed kinda late last night, and I guess I didn’t hear the alarm clock.”

Michael blinked.

“Really? Where were you?” He cursed inwardly. Controlling moron! “I mean, you went to bed late because you were – ah, not feeling well or…”

“No, I’m fine, I was just out with a couple of friends…” He heard her yawn again and took the small break to push down the pang of jealousy rising in his chest. She was out? With whom? “But I didn’t drink, don’t worry…”

Her small chuckle forced him to close his eyes for a moment. He just stayed quiet, afraid he would say the wrong thing at the wrong time. And if he wanted his plan to work, he had to be very careful.

“Michael?” Lisa sensed his hesitation.

“Ah, I’m here. You sure you feel OK? You sound very drowsy. Are you feeling nauseous?”

“No, not anymore. I got up a couple of hours ago and ate something. But it’s getting better now, you know? The morning sickness, I mean. I’m almost out of the woods, I guess…”

Yeah. She was practically at the end of her first trimester. Michael, too, felt relieved. Debbie had gone through it flawlessly, while Lisa – well, she had experienced some problematic collateral effects. Hopefully, they would all be over soon.

“Well, good, ‘cause I really, really want to you be here with me as soon as possible.” He didn’t even know why he had blurted out the words that way. Like some Neanderthal. Perhaps it was because Lisa used to love that macho shit of his, every now and then. But that was a long time ago. In another lifetime.

At the other end of the line, she snorted.

“What are you talking about, crazy man? I don’t even know where you are… Tibet? Easter Island? Antarctica?”

Michael smiled and shook his head. He loved her sarcasm. Always had.

“What, I thought I was pretty famous? Aren’t you following my whereabouts on TV?” His tone was only half-playful. The truth was that he hoped she did. But he knew she hadn’t.

“Not really, no…” She paused. “So, where are you now, Michael?”

“Spain.”

“Oh, so you want me to fly to Spain?”

“No, I was actually thinking… You know, I was just wondering…”

“What? ‘Fess up…”

“If you’re planning to have a fetal ultrasound or anything… anytime soon.”

“I was planning on having one in the next couple of weeks, yes. Why?”

He had a feeling she knew exactly what he was going to ask, but that she wanted him to say it out loud anyway. The perpetual game. The constant pushing and pulling that knew no end, apparently.

“That’s great. And the problem is, I won’t be able to be there even though I wish I could be. You know that. And Lise… I’d really love to have a picture of our baby, you know? Something that I can keep with me until I come back home.”

“You ain’t gonna have no picture of our baby for at least another six months, Mike…” She still sounded playful. But her guard had gone up a little bit, he could tell.

“You know what I mean…”

Silence fell for a minute. He could only hear her breathing. And he missed her more than oxygen.

“Do you already have one of… the other baby?”

Michael took a long breath and stared at the printed scan in front of him, on the table. He touched the bean-shaped frame gently. He sure did.

“Yes…”

More silence.

“Boy or girl?” Her voice collected. As if she were talking to a stranger. Michael closed his eyes again. How he wished he could feel differently about this moment.

“Boy.”

“Wow, that’s amazing, man. A little Michael Jr. Congratulations…” The lighthearted tone. Perfectly believable. Then, her usual pause. “…Well, I can send you one of this little one too, if you want.”

He exhaled. That was definitely something. But not enough. Not by a long shot. He soldiered on.

“Thank you, but I had something better in mind. I really, really wanna be there during your ultrasound.”

Lisa chuckled. “I’m not gonna fly to Spain to have an ultrasound, Michael. I’m still not completely out of the woods and I don’t feel comfortable traveling, right now.”

“OK, but what about London?”

“What about it?” She now seemed to be testing the waters.

“I gotta be there in about ten days, I need to be in the studio to complete my short film. What do you think? I could fly you there, too, and your doctor can go with you.” More silence at the other end. “Of course, I’m paying for it.”

“You know damn well that I don’t need your money…” Lisa’s voice was now very serious. And yet Michael knew she was considering his offer. The minefield, again. Careful where you put your feet, or you’re going to blow up, game over.

“I know. But since it’s my idea… Look, Lise, I just think it’s a win-win situation. You’re gonna feel better in ten days from now, I’m sure. And you won’t have to deal with a medical team you’re not familiar with. In fact, I think it’s a perfect idea.”

“Of course you do…” Lisa laughed lowly. He smiled, relaxing a little.

“So…? Are you gonna think about it at least?”

“Uh-uhm. I promise I’ll think about it. Let me check with Doctor Mcfadden, first. You know, he doesn’t work for you, Michael…” She laughed again. “He might even say no.”

“Ah, I doubt it. I can be pretty convincing if I want to.”

More silence. Then, a sigh.

“Yes. That is true.”

They exchanged a couple more minutes of useless, empty words. Clichés and set phrases and everything you would expect from two friendly exes who were still trying to figure out how to navigate their new relationship – whatever that was. As they spoke, it occurred to him that he had always believed in traditional marriage and that he had failed miserably. Meanwhile, he had been reckless at pushing the envelope with Lisa at the beginning of their relationship, and that even now, after everything that had been said and done, they both were still breaking the rules somehow.

Eventually, they said goodbye. Putting the phone down, Michael felt exhausted, as if he had run a marathon. His almost three-hour-long live performances were nothing compared to the silent warfare going on behind closed doors. For a moment, he thought Lisa would end up saying no. That she would come back to her senses and realize that sending him a picture would be more than enough.

He tried to push the thought to the back of his mind and focused his attention on some documents he had to review. The silence in the room was almost thunderous, just like his loneliness.

Then, unexpectedly, and only after a couple of hours, he received one single text message from Lisa. Just a few words that completely changed his mood – for the better.

“OK. The doctor can fly to London. Ask your people to send all the details to my entourage. I’ll take the chance to give you something. See you soon.”

Give him something? What, exactly? It was quite mysterious, in a way, but Michael didn’t want his happiness spoiled at the moment. Whatever it was that Lisa wanted to share with him, he would find out in less than two weeks anyway. And although a part of him was pretty sure that it was nothing love-related, he still harbored the hope that it could bring them closer once again.

The Savoy – London, October 1996

Lisa opened the door and smiled. Behind her back, the lavish suite and its splendid details simply disappeared from Michael’s vision. He hadn’t seen her for what – about two months straight? – and she had… changed. His face lit up and he just stood there, looking at her, feeling quite stupid and inadequate.

Her smile still in place, she seemed to study him for a moment. Then, still staring at him, she brought her hand to her belly. She was now fifteen weeks pregnant – three months and two weeks since they had conceived their child. Three months and two weeks since the last time they had been something more than strangers.

Lisa was literally glowing. Her skin looked luminous, her eyes sparkled. She had always been beautiful to him, but now… well, now she was more than gorgeous, to the point that she took his breath away. Her hair was longer. Her breasts had definitely gotten fuller, and he had to scold himself at the dirty thoughts that realization provoked. He also noticed that her abdomen was starting to change, to accommodate the growing tummy. She still didn’t show much, but the baby bump was now definitely there. His fingertips itched. He wanted to touch her so bad.

Michael had willed himself to behave appropriately, but all of a sudden his mind became a blank slate. Every intention, rule or discipline he had set for himself was canceled, and he just shook his head slightly, stepped forward, and without even uttering a word, took Lisa into his arms and held her close to him.

He felt her stiffen just for the briefest instant, her hands resting on his shoulders. Then her body – her beautiful, vibrant body – became soft and pliant against his own and he did his best not to bury his face in the crook of her neck. But he inhaled her scent, that scent that was hers and hers alone, and he almost felt lightheaded. When she wrapped her arms around his neck, finally giving in, he smiled.

“I’m so happy you’re here.” He took a deep breath, backing off slowly, and having to force himself to do so. “You got no idea. You really don’t know.”

“I’m happy to see you too, Michael.” She seemed in good spirits. Still emotionally remote, but in a good mood at least. “Please, come in.”

He cleared his throat and walked into the suite, pushing aside the slight disappointment at her reserved, almost formal choice of words.

“So, the flight was OK?”

“Yes, I slept for almost the entire time.”

“Good, you need to rest.”

Lisa laughed as they entered the living area.

“Believe me, I really don’t. I only slept ‘cause I was bored. I’ve been feeling very high-energy for a while, now… All Mother Earth, connecting with my inner chakra and shit… ” Still smiling, she poured herself some sparkling water from a pitcher. Slices of lemon dancing through the bubbles like tiny fish. “Wanna make yourself comfortable? Can I get you something to drink? Beer? Wine?”

Michael sat in a Victorian-looking armchair, his eyes never leaving her. He had been waiting for this moment for days, and now that she was there it almost felt unreal. He still didn’t know when she had planned to leave, but he aimed at keeping her there with him as long as he could. He just had to understand how to do that. And, even more than that, he had to understand why it was so important to him.

During the previous couple of months, Michael had done his best to get used to the idea of Lisa not loving him anymore. In a way, he had tried to detach himself from her emotionally – for his own sanity. It was and felt weird. The moment they had met again as adults, something had blossomed between them in such a quick and effortless way that he honestly didn’t remember having known her without loving her. And he didn’t remember not being loved by her in return. So, in a way, all this was still very new to him. Not only the pregnancy, but also the way they had been navigating it. Together, but only kinda-sorta. It was not at all how he had planned to experience the conception and birth of their kid.

“I’ll just have some water, thank you…”

“You know, you can drink in my presence, Michael. It’s not a problem.”

“I’m mostly a social drinker. Water will be fine.”

Lisa smirked, pouring another glass of water. She walked over to him and handed him the glass. This time, when he took it, he didn’t linger and she withdrew her hand almost immediately. She wasn’t gun-shy or anxious, he could tell. She was entirely there, with him. But a part of her was missing – not someplace else, but simply non-existent. A part he had always known.

She sat in front of him, on a small couch.

“So… you ready for the ultrasound?” He couldn’t hide his anticipation and, feeling very thirsty suddenly, he emptied his glass. Lisa’s smile got wider.

“Wow, why are you so excited, Michael? It’s just an ultrasound. I’m sure you know very well what it is, and how it works.”

And, just like that, his smile was almost wiped off his face. Yes, he had been there during a couple of Debbie’s ultrasounds. And for the whole time, he had been wholly focused on what he saw on the screen. He had never felt like he was part of a couple. He had never felt Debbie as his partner. The deal he had made with his friend was nothing but clear in his mind. But he was not going to say that to Lisa. Not again.

“Sure, but I don’t know how it’s gonna work with you.” There. That much, he could share.

She seemed taken aback, as if she were not expecting that answer. And, immediately, she retreated.

“Right…” She leaned forward, taking an envelope that had been placed on the small coffee table separating them. Being very perceptive by nature, Michael had already noticed it. “Well, before we go to the clinic, I wanna give you something.”

“Is that what you were talking about over the phone?”

“Yes.”

She carefully opened the envelope and extracted what looked like a document.

Oh, shit. There it was. The unwelcome surprise Michael had never really wanted to think about. He steadied himself and prepared for the worst.

“What’s that?”

“You’ll see.” She smoothed down the papers and pushed them toward him, letting them slide on the polished surface of the small table.

Michael took them carefully, as if they burned, and started to read. And, the more he read, the more he relaxed. He physically felt the tension leave his shoulders, neck and back, as if a weight had been lifted off his body. Out of the corner of his eye, he noticed Lisa biting the inside of her cheek. A sign of nervous anticipation. He felt relieved to realize that she was not completely emotionless, after all.

“It’s nothing but an informal agreement, really… not legally binding. But it can be, if you want. It’s just my way to tell you that I don’t ever want to take our kid away from you.”

“Lise… I don’t know what to say. I wasn’t expecting this.” He glanced up at her, then resumed reading.

“No? And what did you expect?”

He didn’t have an answer. Her telling him that she had realized she still loved him? Her telling him that she wasn’t going back to California, but would stay with him for the whole time instead? Reconnect? Making love? Michael just shook his head and shrugged.

“Not sure…”

Lisa spun her glass in her hands, her nimble fingers playing with it.

“So… what you think of it? I think it’s a nice way to have a detailed, meaningful and honest dialogue about our mutual desires, goals and interests as co-parents… and also to uncover possible issues…”

“As long as we can raise this baby together, there won’t be any.” Michael set his jaw and put on his best business face. But his heart was melting as he kept reading.

The agreement started with basic information and a general introduction. Then it described, very briefly, the personal relationship he and Lisa had. There were no subtle jabs, no innuendos, no reprimands, no accusations. Only clear statements about their shared interest in the baby and in their mutual wellbeing. The deal implied trust and affection between the two parties involved. And as formal as it sounded, it held a much deeper meaning. It was Lisa’s academic way to describe what their love had been and, in a way, still was.

And then, there was the substance of the agreement – which worked for him just fine. As long as he pretended not to care that it was there because he and Lisa would probably never be together again as partners.

“…Now, therefore, in consideration of the promises of each of the parties, and in acknowledgment of their mutual belief that the best interest of the child requires stable sources of financial, academic, medical and emotional support, the parties enter into this agreement to guarantee that their child will receive that benefit of having each of them in their life, and agree as follows…”

“…The parties intend for each of the parents to have equal rights in regard to the child’s upbringing… to have equal obligations to the child… In regard to the rights and responsibilities of the biological parents, to be equally recognized as legal parents…”

Blinking, Michael started to read out loud.

“…The co-parents enter this agreement in a spirit of mutual respect, open communication, honesty, cooperation, and trust… with the goal of providing a stable, safe, nurturing environment, a good education, support, love and affection to their child throughout all of his or her life…” He couldn’t go on. His throat closed. He looked up at her. “Lise…”

He was a strong man. Always had been. Behind the soft surface, a steel core moved his steps in life. But now, reading those words and perceiving their candor and goodwill, he felt deeply moved, to the point that he had to blink back the tears. He had thought she didn’t want his kids because she didn’t trust him entirely in his ability to be a parent. For the first time, he doubted himself. Either he had interpreted her words and deeds in the worst way he could ever imagine, or Lisa’s opinion had changed. At the same time, he realized something else – something that had been smoky and obscure up until that point. Being a dad would make him ecstatic – but not complete. Having Lisa by his side would make him ecstatic – but not complete. Utter happiness, in his book, equaled to have it all. And he was an I-want-it-all kind of guy.

“Like I said, it’s just a piece of paper. My lawyers reviewed it, and they are bound to discretion, so the news won’t leak – at least for now. But of course, you might want your people to take a look at it too, and change something here and there, if you think it’s appropriate…”

“I’ll think about it. But I get what it means. It’s a reminder of who we want to be as co-parents.”

“Yes.” Lisa nodded, her eyes sinking into his. There was something there. Something alien and foreign he couldn’t decipher. It felt scary and riveting – the mystery of it all enhancing the seduction. Who was this woman? This woman he loved, and who had been changing so much, making him fall for her even more?

“Yes.” He, too, nodded his head and placed the agreement back on the coffee table. He rose from the armchair. “More water?”

“No, thanks.” She glanced at her watch. “I need to get ready… and I gotta pee. Pregnancy-related side effect…”

As he poured himself another glass of water, Michael grinned.

“Do your thing. I’ll try to stay hydrated. I guess it’s gonna be a very exciting day.”

“Probably, yes…” She walked past him and touched his arm for a moment. And then she was gone.

“Miss Presley… Mister Jackson. Welcome.” Doctor Harlan Mcfadden lowered his reading glasses and glanced up at them. He was an old, curved man with thick, puffy white hair and looked very frail. But he was far from it. Approaching his eighties, one would think that he had much better things to do than being in London and about to perform a pregnancy ultrasound at about 9 PM. But no: Doctor Mcfadden didn’t have any intention to retire, he was energetic, lively and always in a good mood. And he was a terrific gynecologist. Lisa felt at ease with him, and she was glad he had agreed to fly to England. In fact, she had thought he would say no. When she had called him, she had expected the worst as she asked him if he was available for a quick trip overseas.

Surprisingly enough – or maybe not, given the kind of man he was – Doctor Mcfadden had chuckled, telling Lisa that he was more than willing to take a small vacation from his overbearing, albeit beloved wife, and that London was the perfect city to relax for a few days. To the point that he had even landed at the Heathrow airport a couple of days before Lisa, and now was chilling in the private examination room rented for him at the Portland Hospital for Women and Children, one of the most exclusive maternity clinics in town.

He rose from the chair and greeted Lisa with a quick, fatherly hug and then shook Michael’s hand, squinting up at him and smirking as he weighed him up. Michael’s eyebrow rose as he tried to understand if the doctor was starstruck. No, he definitely didn’t look like it.

“I’m happy to be finally meeting you. Lisa talks a lot about you.” The old doctor smirked again, mischievously. Nope, unquestionably not starstruck. Quite the opposite, in fact. Although his words made Michael wonder what exactly Lisa had said about him to the physician, it was also so refreshing to be treated in such a… normal way.

“Nice to meet you, too, doctor. And thank you for having us.”

“Oh, anytime…” Shrugging his shoulders, the doctor turned his back to Michael and walked over to the equipment. “I went to Harrods today. Bought something for my lovely wife…” He giggled. “She’s gonna be so upset when I go back home. I’ll have to make amends somehow. You know… she wanted to come with me… I told her, no Helen, it’s going to be nothing but work, work, work. You’ll get bored. But the truth is, I’m planning to play golf and visit Westminster.”

Michael smiled, throwing Lisa a glance. She, too, was smirking at the doctor’s playful, childlike attitude. Not a surprise her ex-husband seemed to like him already.

“Just don’t tell her, OK?” Doctor Mcfadden turned to look at them and chuckled again. Despite his slow speech and curved back, as he spoke his hands moved quickly and in an extremely precise manner, preparing the sonogram.

“So, Lisa Marie… how are you doing?”

“I’m very good, doc. Thank you.”

“Still feeling very energetic?”

“Definitely, yes.” Lisa chuckled.

Doctor Mcfadden kept checking the equipment.

“Have you been experiencing nosebleeds? Shortness of breath?”

“Nope…” Lisa glanced at Michael and shrugged. She was used to the physician’s interrogations. Doctor Mcfadden had followed her through her first two pregnancies, and he had acted exactly the same way. With his precise, systematic barrage of questions.

“What about your sex drive? Is it normal? Increased?”

He spoke about it as if he was talking about the weather. This time, however, Lisa blushed and ignored Michael’s eyes on her.

“Lisa Marie?” Doctor Mcfadden put on his gloves.

“Increased, doctor. Increased.” She cleared her throat and rubbed the back of her head. Michael repressed a smile, silently taking note of the whole thing. A man would never know when such exciting information could become useful.

“That’s good. You know that’s way better than stomach issues and heartburn.”

“It sure is…” Michael muttered.

“Alright, then… Lisa, please, get ready. Mister Jackson, you stay here with me. Let’s give the lady some privacy.” He had spoken in a soft tone, his back still turned to them, but not for a second Michael felt like he could disobey his order. As Lisa disappeared into the small dressing room, he just stood there, shifting his weight from one foot to the other.

“So, Mister Jackson…”

“Michael, please.”

“Michael. We’re going to perform our examination with a 3D ultrasound scanner, that can construct and display a three-dimensional image of your baby. Lisa is fifteen-week pregnant, which means that she’s in her second trimester…”

Michael just listened to him, mesmerized by the soothing sound of his voice. He didn’t know why, but the tension he had felt up until that point had dissipated all of a sudden. During his marriage to Lisa, she had told him how special Doctor Mcfadden was, and now he finally got why. It was just a small thing, really, and yet he felt as if he understood her better. Given the circumstances, small things had become very precious.

“…and that means that we’ll not only monitor the fetus’ growth and position, but also determine if your baby is getting enough oxygen, check the levels of amniotic fluid… And finally, and that’s the fun part, we’ll possibly be able to tell if it’s a boy or a girl.”

Michael froze for a second. For real?

“For real?”

This time, Doctor Mcfadden turned and his eyes laughed at him from behind the lenses.

“For real. Unless he or she is very, very shy.”

“Doc, I’m ready…”

Thank goodness, Lisa reentering the room prevented Michael from having a sudden hyperventilation attack. Man! He knew the ultrasound would be exciting, but he hadn’t really thought about finding out if they were going to have a baby boy or a baby girl at that very moment!

“Lisa,” he took her hand, “Doctor Mcfadden says we might find out if we’re gonna have a boy or a girl.”

“Yes, I know. I’m nervous.” Lisa laughed, softly. She let him hold her hand, and they walked together to the examination table. Michael sat by her side, and kept holding her hand tightly as the doctor applied a special gel to her abdomen. When the transducer touched her skin, its coldness startled her and Lisa gripped his hand tighter. He swallowed.

Then, they both found themselves mesmerized by the images captured and reproduced, in black and white, onto the ultrasound screen.

“That’s one happy baby… Or possibly a dancer, like his father.” The old doctor smiled, noticing the little bean squirming, moving all its limbs. “Did you know that at this stage of the pregnancy the baby can even hiccup?”

Michael and Lisa glanced at each other. She smiled, noticing how huge his eyes were. He looked like a child himself. Full of amazement and wonderment. He was so cute and sexy… She swallowed, blinked, then turned her head to the screen once again.

“Well… the size and proportions of the fetus are completely normal. So is the weight, and…” Doctor Mcfadden took a breath and watched the future parents. “Well, ready or not, I’m telling you right now. You’re going to have a baby girl. Congratulations, mom and dad.”