Chapter 86

The next months were hard on them as a couple. Liam tried to cater to Maggie’s every need, but Maggie would just get irritated by his actions.

She felt he was trying too hard to make it up to her and just wanted him to back off. Liam just wanted to make it better for her and return to her normal self.

She was distant and irritable with him, but not with the boys.

Liam understood that she blamed him for this, and he felt responsible, but at the same time, the doctor assured him that this was part of the risks they had talked about before surgery.

When he talked with his parents about it, they assured him that Maggie would be okay soon.

“It’s a shock, Liam. Give her some time to adjust to the changes.”

“But Dad, what if Maggie never grows accustomed to this? What if she never accepts this baby?”

“Liam, did you just hear yourself? It’s Maggie we are talking about! She is a brilliant mom and will be just fine! She could never do something like that!” Charlie assured him.

Liam sincerely hoped that they were right.

Maggie found her due date was for three days after school got out in late May. Hopefully, she didn’t deliver early, and the baby would be born on Isaac’s birthday.

Liam had his procedure redone, and after the waiting time, they found it was a success this time. Liam had them run the test several months later, and they confirmed it again.

Maggie kept the pregnancy hidden until she started showing at almost five months. The family was stunned but excited.

At the five-month ultrasound, Liam and Maggie waited for the tech to arrive in the small room.

“Are you feeling okay today?” he asked.

“Yeah, just a little nervous. I just dread trying to find another boy’s name when it took forever for us to agree on two last time. I just am glad that it’s only one this time!”

He chuckled and kissed her hand as he sat next to her on the stool, happy that she didn’t pull away from his touch. Maggie had rejected all his advances since she found out.

Liam tried to not let that give him too much hope that she was returning to normal.

The tech came in and talked with them for a minute as they waited for the doctor. She finally came in, and the tech began by squeezing the warmed gel on her already showing tummy.

As the wand was placed on the bulge, Liam took Maggie’s hand and held it as they watched the screen. It never ceased to amaze him.

The tech moved the wand around, measuring and snapping pictures as they went.

“Everything is looking good so far. This one is a little smaller than your other babies at this point, but still within normal levels. Do you still want to know the sex?” the doctor inquired.

“Yes, please. Just confirm what I already know about it being a boy so I have the next four months to try and come up with another boy name,” Maggie said with a sigh.

Liam felt sad as he heard her say that and squeezed her hand in hopes of reminding her that he was there and loved her.

The tech started moving the wand around and tried to coax the baby to a good position to see between its little legs.

“This one is being shy!” the doctor chuckled. “Your other ones were pretty open about showing us their goods, remember Maggie?”

“Like their father!” Maggie chuckled.

Just as the tech was about to give up and suggest they schedule another appointment to confirm the sex, the baby jumped a little on the screen.

The doctor and tech looked closely as Liam and Maggie waited.

Maggie’s doctor looked at them and smiled. “Just when all hope was lost! The baby moved and I am more than happy to confirm that you are having—”

“A boy. Great, let’s get the pictures and go so I can finish up some reports back at school,” Maggie sighed in a defeated voice as she started wiping the gel off her stomach.

“No, wait, Maggie! You are not having a boy! You are having a little girl!” the doctor said as the tech handed them the pictures, nodding her head.

“What?” Liam asked confused. “Are you sure?”

“Yes, Liam. You’re adding a little girl to your gaggle of boys!”

Maggie stopped as she sat up and looked at everyone in the room in disbelief, unsure of what to say, positive that she hadn’t heard them correctly.

“You are sure? We’re having a girl?” Liam asked cautiously.

The doctor took the photo and showed him. “Look, no penis!”

Liam slowly turned to Maggie and looked at her. She was sitting on the table with a look of total disbelief on her face. “You have got to be joking! We only know how to make boys!”

The tech chuckled. “You appear to have broken the mold this time!”

Liam was bursting with joy as the doctor and tech left.

“I’ll give you a few minutes to get dressed, and we can talk in my office.”

Liam turned and saw the stunned expression on Maggie’s face. He kissed her passionately, feeling her kiss him back.

When they both pulled away to breathe, he saw the tears falling gently down her face.

“We are having a little girl, darling, can you believe it?” he whispered to her.

Maggie was still in shock. That kiss had released all the emotions that she had been holding in since she found out she was pregnant again: anger, hurt, confusion, loneliness, and selfishness.