Chapter 54 - Happy Family

I am pregnant for seventeen weeks now. There is a little bump visible and I am wearing my tight dresses with pride.

Summer is slowly approaching and the days are getting longer and warmer. I told the kids at the daycare that there is a little ‘bébé’ growing in my belly and they ask me questions about it every day.
Inéz and I are looking for someone to replace me when I can’t do the job anymore.
Ben started his music school in a little building in town.
His students love Ben for his enthusiasm and they willingly spread the word about him. Ben is getting new students almost every day.

I am happier than I ever been before. My parents are coming over for my birthday this weekend. I am looking forward to seeing them again after all this time.
The nausea has almost completely disappeared and I feel good.

We started to clean out the big room next to Bens’ music room. We wanted that room to be a guest room, but plans changed.
They changed in a good way.

The walls are light green and yellow. We are still looking around for the perfect baby furniture but we haven’t found it yet.

Ben and I called David and Joanne a few weeks ago to tell them the news. David couldn’t be happier but he was surprised again.

“I still can’t believe that my wild middle one is the first to start a family.” David told Ben and we both laughed about it.

I don’t think anyone would have expected that to happen.

It’s Saturday morning. Ben and I are at the Seville airport. I am anxiously waiting for my parents to arrive.

I stare at the doors of the gate, willing them to open. Time goes slowly when you want it to go quicker.

Finally the doors open and people step through. I look around, looking for the red hair that belongs to my mother or the bald head that belongs to my dad.

I don’t see them yet.

A red headed woman walks through the door and I jump up. “MOM” I shout and run towards her. She drops her suitcase and holds me close. “I missed you so much mom.”

“Let me look at you Lynn.” My mum says softly in my ear. She takes a step back and holds my arms to look at me.

“Lynn, you are gorgeous. You look so good.” My mums’ voice is trembling.
“Hi Lynn.” A voice says from behind my mother. “Daddy.” My voice breaks and I run towards my dad to hug him.
Tears run down my cheeks and make my dads’ shirt wet when I bury my head in his shoulder.

My mum hugs me again and we stay there for a while, not saying anything till my dad breaks free from my arms. “Now lets get a coffee.” His cheeks are wet too. I wipe my tears away and look at Ben. He looks a bit awkward standing there looking at a family reunion. I reach out my hand to him and he comes closer. “Mom and dad, I want you to meet Ben.” I say.

Ben is being his funny and friendly gentleman self. I can see that he has already charmed my mom with his being. My dad is watching from a distance. He never accepted any of my boyfriends easily so I have to give him some time.

We buy a coffee at one of the many little coffee corners and sit down to chat.

My mum looks at my belly. “And how is the little one doing?” She asks.
“Same as yesterday.” I laugh

We spoke for many times on the phone since the day I finally found the courage to call her and I kept her up to date about my pregnancy.

 I take my parents back to Ericas’ bed and breakfast where they will stay during their holiday. I love having friends with a bed and breakfast living close to me.

I hug Erica and introduce her to my parents. “I can see where Lynn got her great looks from.” Erica makes my mum blush. It makes me giggle to see my mum blush.

Erica made lunch for us and we settle down in the garden. I casually lean against Ben and he has his arm wrapped around me.

Ben and my dad found that they both have a thing for horses and they tease me about my fear of them. I pout. “You are both so mean.” I stick out my tongue and nudge Ben in his waist.

For a moment I think he nudges me back but he didn‘t. “Ben, I think the baby just kicked.”  I gasp and look up at Ben.
He tenderly lays his hand on my belly. We wait for a moment but the moving has stopped.

 “It stopped.” Ben looks a little disappointed. “Don’t be sad. The little one will be in there for a while. You’ll get your chance.” I say.
“Don’t be hoping too much. If the baby is like her mother you won’t feel it.” My dad laughs. “Lynn always stopped moving the moment I tried to feel her. In all those months I never felt the kicking.”

I chuckle. “This little one has two very stubborn parents. So I wouldn’t be surprised if she did the same.”

“But she also has two very bouncy parents. So I wouldn’t be surprised if she moves around a lot.”

“It’s Erica who notices us talking about ‘she’ all the time. “Do you already know that it’s a girl?” She asks. “No, but I got sick of talking about ’it’ and ’the baby’ all the time.” I explain to her.

Ben and I leave my parents at Ericas’ place so they can settle in and explore the area while Ben and I get ready for the party that night.
It will be a whole weekend of parties. Tonight I will just celebrate it for my parents and closest friends. Tomorrow is for the kids, the parents and anyone else that wants to stop by.

We stop by the grocery store to buy drinks and food and quickly go back home. Ben starts preparing everything for the barbecue while I take a quick shower.
I go back downstairs only wearing my underwear so you can see my growing belly. I love that we don’t have neighbors.

I walk outside to the garden wearing only my underwear and walk up to Ben. “Can I help?” I ask.
Ben turns around and looks at me. His mouth falls open for a moment but then smiles widely. He kneels in front of me. Softly pressing a kiss on my belly. “Hi there little one.” He stands back up and pecks me on my lips. “Hi there you.” He smiles. “You forgot your clothes.” He grins and checks out my body. “Rawr” He growls and I giggle. “Oh no you don’t, stud.” I push him away from me when he grabs my butt. “We got a party to prepare and I don’t want my outfit to get dirty.” I explain to him why I am nearly naked.

I help Ben get the garden ready for tonights’ party. We rush inside when we’re done. Ben to take a shower and I to get dressed.

I open my closet and look inside with a frown. Dress or jeans? I go for my black boot cut jeans, a thin light blue v-neck top and flip flops.
I put my hair up with a few pins and apply some make up. I look in the mirror and see Ben standing behind me. “You look gorgeous.” He smiles. I smile back in the mirror. “You look naked.” I grin.

“Don’t start with me now woman.” He laughs and grabs his jeans from the bed.
“Are you really going to wear that shirt.” I point at his shirt with a unicorn on it. “Why not?” He asks. “Because unicorns are a no no on my birthday party.” I giggle.

He refuses to take off the shirt and I shrug. I might accidentally spill some sauce on it later.