Chapter 36: Reveal!
POV: Gabby / Zac
Word Count: 4383
August 8, 2009
The gender reveal party was today, I was impatient as hell wanting to know and Zac was surely confident we were having a boy. We were going to have the party at the house but because there was so many people attending we’d moved it to Heather’s family’s house. It was larger and because it was hot it had the pool too! Abigail was already there setting up and getting the placement of everything right. I wasn’t due there until noon, the party start time was 12:30.
Zac was awake long before me and had cleaned up and even washed my clothes since I didn’t have anything I could wear.
“Are you swimming today?”
“I’d like to but I don’t have anything I can wear.”
“What about just a pair of shorts and a t-shirt?”
“You’re friends will be there Zac, I would rather stay dry.”
“It’s going to be hot though.”
“You won’t get in the water either, so why should I?”
“Baby, come on.”
“I don’t have anything Zac.”
He went to the closet and came back with black shorts and a black t-shirt.
“They’re dark, they can’t see through them.”
“I don’t have a bra I can wear in the water and the sports bra are too small.”
“We’ll go buy you one.”
“You going to finally show off that tattoo of yours? It’s been months and only Tay and Ike know.”
“I’m perfectly fine with just them knowing.”
I laid on the bed and watched him fold up clothes and put them away, folding towels and wash rags too. I was glad he was doing it because I hadn’t felt like bothering. When he was done he went and got dressed and I blinked at the shirt he had on.
“Zachary!”
“What? I thought it would fit well.”
His shirt was black with white writing, in the middle it said ‘the man behind the belly’, it did fit!
“Least it’s not some rude saying.”
“Taylor picked out one that said be nice to me, my wife is pregnant. I figured you aren’t mean to me so I can’t wear that one.”
“You can let him wear it when Stella is pregnant.”
“Deal. What would you like for breakfast?”
“Abigail said to go light, they are doing burgers and hot dogs. So, maybe some oatmeal and fruit?”
“Okay, I’ll fix that while you get ready.”
He kissed me before heading downstairs and I got up and showered. I knew I was wearing the maternity shorts with good shoes, but I wasn’t sure what shirt to wear. There was one that Abby had brought over that I liked, it was an orange color and had a belt that went just under the breast, across the neckline it had white embroidery flowers. It fit well and gave me room to move still. I went downstairs and we had breakfast and then got what we needed and headed over to the house. We were an hour early but that was fine, yet by the rushed way Sierra ran down the hallway, I was sure she was wrapping stuff.
Zac eyed the large boxes that were wrapped. “How are we getting this stuff home?”
“Andrew and I are bringing whatever you can’t get in the car. I love that shirt Zac!” Abby said.
I smiled. “It is his fault.”
“It’s not all my fault, but I am the reason!”
They had gone all out with the house. There were pink, blue, yellow and green streamers everyone along with balloons. She had fruit and vegetables trays set up with chips and dips, there was also the cake which came out perfect. She had done the baby carriage on top in a light grey with pink and blue ribbons around the top and a light yellow blanket.
“Can I cut it now?!”
“No. You have to wait.” Abby said.
I pouted at her, but she remained adamant I couldn’t cut it yet. She wouldn’t even let me just touch it.
“Are you team blue or team pink?” Sierra asked.
“I’m neither, I’ll be happy either way. Why?”
She put a pin on my shirt with a yellow and green ribbon. She pinned a blue one on Zac, she then put a pin with pink, blue, yellow and green beads.
“You cannot say baby, if you hear someone say baby you take their pin.” Abby said.
“Is that why you don’t have one?”
“No, I knew I’d be saying it to explain, I didn’t even get one. We also have some games that we’re going to pit the guys against the girls, should be fun.”
There was also a white wash board with the teams and we just put a line there, seems most were going with a boy. Sierra, Abby, and Andrew all had blue ribbons already. But Heather and Jack had pink ones.
“Where is like Taylor and the others?”
“They went to get the meats, they dropped off the items to be wrapped which Sierra did, and then headed to get burgers and dogs, ‘cause I was an idiot and forgot them.”
“Typical.” I said.
We mingled a bit as people arrived and I noticed a lot of blue ribbons, even Diana and Walker went team blue! People were free to take pictures, but I had requested that the items we got not be posted anywhere, most people here had private accounts, so I didn’t have much to worry about. Chloe agreed to keep hers contained unless I gave her permission to post them. I was kind of amazed at the number of people that showed and the number of large boxes. We were in the back yard cutting up, laughing and Abby stood.
“While we wait for Mr. Taylor the cook why not play a few games?”
“Whatcha got?” Zac asked.
“I got a few. Let’s start with the good old fashion bottle contest.”
I raised my eyebrow as she brought out 8 ounce bottles filled with what looked like juices.
“So, anyone who wants to participate can, the aim is simple you pick a bottle with an unknown juice and the first person to get it all down wins.”
Zac was the first person to get a bottle and that pretty much meant Chase, JJ, and Bradley were joining. Lucas even got one, then Chloe decided to participate, which prompted Melissa and Kayla to get them too. Grace was the last one to pick up a bottle as Shawn sat down beside me. I glanced at him and saw a pink ribbon.
“You went team girl? Why?”
He smiled as Abby began the contest, pretty sure Zac would win this one, he could down a cup quickly.
“I just feel like you’re having a girl. Not sure why.”
“Not many feel it’s a girl, most everyone has blue ribbons.”
“I seen, you don’t have a color though.”
“Yellow and green, I didn’t care.”
We watched them a bit and Chloe won, stomping Zac’s ass under the table and around it by 4 ounces.
“Not fair I think I got prune juice. What is this?”
“Prune juice…” Abby said.
“Nasty.”
It gave everyone a laugh and killed time before lunch, which Taylor called us as soon as it was done. It was about time, I was starving. We got food and everyone sat around and ate. Stephanie was being watched to make sure she stayed out of the pool. Because it was super hot Abby went with a few more games, pitting the girls against the guys in diaper changing and obviously the girls won. Zac actually did pretty good and Sarah complimented him on getting the diaper on right at least. He complained that the doll didn’t move, made me wonder if he would be putting our child’s diapers on backwards…
The last game she wanted to play I elected to avoid, I was having way more fun watching. She first paired people up, sitting them across from one another. Zac sat down but Chase chose to be his partner. She then handed everyone on the left size a small jar of baby food and a spoon.
“We’re going to blindfold everyone, the object is to feed your partner without making a huge mess.” Abby said.
I giggled, this was going to be epic and I was right! Chase was horrible at aiming for Zac’s mouth, getting a lot of the jar on his face and even in his nose. Sierra and Heather did amazing, they actually won and Sierra only had a small bit on her shirt. Chloe and Melissa did well but Lucas and Andrew was as bad as Chase and Zac. Once everyone had cleaned up if needed, Abby declared gifts.
“Before cake?” I asked.
“Yes. Everyone is waiting for cake. I know!”
She did move us inside so the items didn’t have to be moved multiple times, which was good because cake and swimming was next! She however sat a large box to the side along with a bag.
“I want to start with those.”
“You can’t, you have to wait until you cut the cake for them.”
She distracted me by putting a box in my lap. Sierra was sitting nearby with a tablet, she’d write everything down. The first several bags and boxes she gave me were receiving blankets, gender neutral crib sheets, diapers, and wipes. Along with a boat load of gift cards! She handed me Sarah’s gift and Sarah smiled.
“I went with something I loved with Stephanie. I think whatever you decide it will be beneficial.”
I unwrapped the odd shape and found a solid white boppy pillow, it showed it being a good accessory for breastfeeding or just to lay the baby in. She included a gift card, indicating it was to get the covers for the pillow. I had a feeling it would be my favorite item. Chloe’s was next and she’d gotten a bouncer that had lights across the top, teddy bears on the mobile area and a cute looking bear for the baby to lay on.
“This is so cute. Thank you.”
She smiled but Heather pouted when Abby handed me hers, I was confused until I opened it and found another bouncer. Hers however was extremely colorful, with bright greens, reds and blues and there was a card with another gift card. I wondered if we’d ever use this many?
“I can exchange mine if you want.”
“Oh no. Two is perfect, I can leave one at the studio and not have to bring them back and forth.”
“Excellent.”
Abby presented Julian’s which was an activity set, it had small balls with it and had fold up sides to contain them. Abby’s next box was from Lucas, I was afraid at what he could have gotten. Inside was a matching set of adult shirts and a onesie, they said mama bear, papa bear, and baby bear. There was also a set of pajamas for me, a white shirt with grey pants that had white polka dots. The babies matching suit had the same pants and shirt color, but the shirt had a grey circle with loved inside. It wasn’t bad, it was actually really cute. The fact the pajamas were the right size confused me though.
Chases was up next and she handed his to Zac. But it worked because it was Star Wars related, a white adults shirt with Darth Vader’s head and ‘I am your father” under it, and the onesie was long sleeve with the same Vader face but “who’s your daddy?” under it.
“Dude, this is so awesome.” Zac said.
“I saw it and it rather fits either way.”
Everyone agreed and she handed Zac a small bag, he indicated it was from Bradley.
“I just want to say I have the receipt if for some reason I am wrong.” He said.
Zac opened it with another gift card and a little suit. A pair of blue jean pants and a pink long-sleeve onesie with “my finger may be small…but Daddy is still wrapped around it!”.
“That will not happen, totally the wrong color too.”
The remaining items were pretty simple, more diapers, wipes, and gift cards. There was a few that got zip up sleepers in greens and yellow. I however was dying to know what all those large boxes contained. I couldn’t imagine people spending that much on one item. Abby sat when Isaac moved a box over. There was a laundry basket on top with laundry detergent, baby safe cleaners and she even had a smaller basket with baby lotion, powder, and like diaper rash cream.
“I wasn’t sure if you would remember those, the cleaners are awesome. I have friends that use them.”
“Thank you, I was wondering if anything we use was safe. Alright Zac, help with the paper!
He tore into the paper on the box, revealing a pack and play!! It was mostly dark grey but had a light blue border with animals. It included a changing table and an insert for napping.
“It’ll be perfect downstairs.” He said.
He got hugs and then Taylor moved his over with Stella’s.
“No fears, Isaac and I coordinated our gift buying.”
Stella also included super cute onesie, one had the moon on it and nighty night, the other one had ‘the snuggle is real’ on the front and that got laughs from everyone! They included an aspirators and diapers. The big box contained a swing. Which Taylor took time to explain that it was both a sleeper and a seated swing. His parents stepped up next, they’d gotten a stroller for us, which included a basinet. It was grey with like a crossing pattern on it. I loved that the bassinet had a cover, so people wouldn’t see the baby if I was out walking.
“We had a ton of stuff picked out but then you didn’t tell us boy or girl, so..once we know we’ll go shopping again. But, this is something we liked because it’s private when they are little.” She said.
“Not a problem. I’ll be good for another month or so?”
Everyone giggled and then Sierra handed me a funky wrapped item. “My wrapping sucked.”
“It always has.”
Sierra had included a matching diaper bag to the stroller, with the same patterns. Taped to the front was a big sheet of paper saying “IOU”.
“I owe you? What do you owe me?” I asked.
“I looked at clothes, but I figured everyone was going to get neutral things and most have. I want to pick out suits that are gender appropriate. I’m thinking boy too but I wanted to be sure. Added, if there is anything else you need I can cover it.”
“Thank you.”
Four people remained, Shawn, Grace, Abby and Andrew. Shawn’s must have been heavy because he had Isaac come help him. Grace actually slide the box over first, rather big box too. Inside was a crib set, a fleece blanket, and a stuffed bear all from the same theme. The blanket had a bear and once upon a time on it. The crib set was off white with grey and had bunnies and bears on it, solid color sheets and the same animals were around the bumper pads. The mobile was even included! But, it really wasn’t the set I had in mind for the nursery though, it was a bit too neutral but then Zac opened the large box and I completely understood. Inside was a portable crib.
“Because you both spend a lot of time at the studio, it is only appropriate that my only nephew or niece have a proper place to sleep. This is small, portable, rolls, and you can move it easily or use it where you need it. I’m sure for a bit you’ll be home so could be useful downstairs or in your bedroom.”
“It’s perfect, I never considered the studio.” Zac said.
“I want those Abby!”
“No. After cake and ice cream.”
Sierra, Abby and I cleaned up the paper right quick and moved the stuff back to the table. I didn’t worry about condensing. My goal was that damn cake, because I wanted to know what Abby got! That box was tall and wide, it was no gift card!
“Alright Abigail, I’ve waited long enough. I want to cut that cake. You tell me no and I’m smashing the top one in your face. You denied me your gift, you’ve denied me my cake, not fair!”
“Fine.” She said.
She made me wait until she arranged everyone so they could see, having Taylor with the camera dead center. She handed us the knife and moved.
“You ready to find out?”
“I’m ready to prove myself right, let’s cut this so we can reveal the blue cake.”
We both cut the right side, but the knife came out clean like it knew I wanted crumbs or something! We moved slightly and even the second knife cut came out clean. Moment of truth, I slide the knife under the small slice.
-Zac-
I’d wanted to cut that cake since we walked in, prove everyone right that we were having a boy. Chase and Bradley had nagged me for weeks now about it being a girl, but I knew we were having a boy. I really wanted to rush her through eating, presents, and games and all of that for this moment. That damn knife came out clean twice! Not a single blue crumb of cake fell or showed. I’d told her with us both trying to pull cake out it was bound to be bad, so I just held the plate as she pulled the piece out and the cake was….
PINK!
No! That was a mistake! It should be blue. But the entire inside was pink, I was about to protest when there was suddenly cake all in my face! I was rather stunned because no one mentioned this to me, added the baker was wrong too! By the time I managed to wipe the pink cake and chocolate icing out of my eyes I could just see Gabby grinning, like she’d known all along or something.
“You did not cheat.”
“No. I just didn’t care either way. You’re the one that insisted we were having a boy.”
“The baker is wrong.”
Abby giggled. “She’s not wrong Zac.”
It was actually my mother crying that caught my attention, Dad waved us all off though.
“It’s okay, happy tears.” He said.
It didn’t occur to me until then that mom and dad had all boys, the only girl they would have had, died. Gabby went over to her anyway and hugged her, said something which seemed to help.
“Boy huh? You swore it was a boy.” Andrew said.
“I swear to god the baker is wrong.”
“Gabby did you bring the sonogram pictures?”
“Yes!” She said.
She got them from the counter and for the first time we got to see them and fuck there was no penis in these pictures, three pictures and all three said “female”.
“I swear I saw one.” I pouted.
Abby was about to cut the cake and Gabby just blocked her and stared.
“Fine! You can open that one now!”
I didn’t need to help and the moment the paper was off we knew why she made us wait, she’d gotten a high chair and it was pink.
“You didn’t look, how did you know what to get? I love this color though.”
“I looked at a dozen high chairs and I loved that one and a blue one. None of the others I liked, so I cheated and called the bakery. I begged that woman and eventually lied to her saying I was going to do balloons too. Which I did consider, but too much of a mess. She told me the sonograms said it was a girl.”
I looked at the other large. “I suppose you told Andrew also?”
He just grinned like a Chester cat. “I saw the box at her house when I picked her up. So, I figured I’d go ahead and get specific too.”
Inside the large bag was a baby bath tub that had a pink liner. Inside that was washcloths in pink shades and designs, a little blue whale that would tell us the temperature of the water, which was perfect and then two matching hooded towels that had I heart Mommy and I heart Daddy. They were pink with colorful balloons on the hood. He’d also included shampoo and a brush.
“I know this little girl has to be bathed.”
“Thank you.” I said.
“No problem.”
Abby began to dish out cake after that, Gabby waited for the bottom with the pink icing and chocolate cake. After cake and ice cream were knocked off my Aunts and Uncles left, final congratulations and then some of the cousin’s even left. Gabby changed into pool clothes and everyone got in for a while. I got in but kept my shirt on, found a seat in the corner and pouted.
I really did want a boy, someone to teach drums too and play ball with. Someone like Shawn who would protect his little sister. Gabby swam for a bit, enjoying the cool water before she made her way to me.
“Why are you sulking in the corner?”
“Do you really have to ask?”
“Come on, you can’t be that disappointed.”
“I wanted a boy.”
I assisted when she moved to my lap, held her so she didn’t fall back.
“What you want is a healthy baby with ten fingers, ten toes, and a head full of blonde hair. The fact that that baby is a girl shouldn’t matter.”
“I am positive of what I saw Gabby.”
“Well, those sonogram pictures don’t show a penis of any kind. I know you want a boy but come on, your mom gets a granddaughter, something she wanted and you gave that to her. Even if Taylor and Isaac have girls first, this little one will always be the first.”
“I know, I just…”
She kissed me. “Trust me, I have a feeling the moment you lay eyes on her Chase’s little onesie will be perfect.”
“Drown me now, they’ll never let me live it down.”
He smiled from nearby. “Damn straight I’m not.”
She smiled and kissed me and I smiled against her lips.
“Be careful there, wouldn’t want a repeat of last time we were here.”
“Hey, she has rooms.”
“Muhum and we have a suitable bedroom at home.”
Taylor seemed to appear out of nowhere, maybe Gabby was right, was he part Ninja?!
“My birthday? Really Zac?”
“Did you finally figure out the conception date?”
“J.J. figured it out. Curious little cousin. My birthday?”
“Don’t play games with me, I know you got lucky on your birthday too. I got asked later if I enjoyed the handcuffs and whip and I didn’t remember any of that.”
Taylor’s face blushed a bit. “Yeah well, I didn’t knock anyone up on your birthday. I call dibs on naming this one.”
“Not happening Taylor.” Gabby said.
He giggled. “I didn’t think it would, but I had to try. Seriously though, my birthday?”
“Get over it Taylor, you can make it a story later on when he’s older.”
Taylor poked my arm. “When she is older…”
I groaned and laid my head down on Gabby’s shoulder.
“He has not taking being wrong very well.”
“He never has taken it well.”
I shoved him away and he laughed then moved away from us. We got out of the pool after seven and had dinner there on the deck, by now most everyone was gone but my brothers and their ladies, Abby, Sierra, Heather, Jack, Lucas, and Andrew.
“So, do you have any ideas for the nursery?” Andrew asked.
“Well, most of what we got is grey or some forms of grey.” She said.
“Well, most of the non-room stuff is. We haven’t gotten a plan yet.”
“Actually…” Gabby said.
I looked at her and she just smiled.
“I kind of maybe picked out a pink set, to be fair it also came in blue.”
“You did?” I asked.
“Yep. Picked it out online actually. Um, it’s damask designed, I didn’t buy and I did want you to see it first.”
“Well, I guess we have some sort of idea then.”
They smiled and laughed but I really wished we were buying the blue outfits and sports themes. When we were done with dinner everyone called it quits and headed home but Andrew and Abby. Sierra, Heather, and Abby cleaned up the outdoors and indoors, while Andrew and I took the large boxes to his truck. Who the hell knew shit would be so heavy!
Gabby was taking the multiple bags and boxes and reducing them down, using the bags when she could. She also finished stuffing the box that Grace had too with extra items. We then loaded the car down as well with smaller items and the bags.
“Where are we putting all of this?” She asked.
“The baby’s room, I’ll take a few days at the end of the month and assemble whatever needs to be. Actually, I need to sit the items in the other bedroom, so we can paint the nursery and then set everything up.”
“Actually…sit it downstairs right now. I need to figure out what we need.”
“You need bottles, no one got them.” Abby said.
“I haven’t decided on breast or bottles, I didn’t add bottles for that reason. If I decide to use them I’ll buy them.”
“Oh, well makes sense. I wondered why.”
“I’m being indecisive.”
We headed out saying bye to Sierra and Heather and once home we unloaded the car and the truck, we sat everything in the living room. After that Abby and Andrew headed home and we got to relax. I got to stare at the sonograms.
A girl. A daughter. It wasn’t the boy I wanted, but I guess Gabby was right, as long as she was born healthy and happy, I’d be okay. Gabby was out not even ten minutes after we laid down and I wasn’t far behind!
***Because there were a lot of pictures I used, I have created a seperate page. Click Here to see the pictures. (Should open in a new window).