Today was the day that the gender of the baby would be revealed. Friends and family were gathered in our house, chatting amongst themselves and making their predictions as to what the gender might be. Two large mason jars sat on the snack table, one labeled ‘Boy’ and one labeled ‘Girl’. So far, the boy jar was filled with blue gumballs while only two pink gumballs sat in the girl jar.
At four months, my belly was now rounded out, resembling more of a baby bump than bloating. Excitement was eating me alive as we waited for the cake to arrive. Barbara, a sweet lady that Harry used to work with at the bakery, was kind enough to make the cake for us making her the only one who knows the sex of the baby. When we asked her, she was more than willing to take the offer. It was very special to Harry that she did it, after all, she did do our wedding cake.
“Have you made your vote?” I asked Harry as he pulled me into his lap. His large hand rubbed my back comfortingly as he smiled.
“Boy.”
“Diddo.” I giggled.
“So Tay, have y’all picked out names yet?” My mother asked, her southern drawl coming through as she sat beside Harry and I, along with a couple of my cousins and Harry’s mom.
“If it’s a boy, Parker. If it’s a girl, Darcy.” Harry answered placing a hand on my protruding belly.
“Should’ve known about the boy, she’s had that name picked out since she was thirteen.” My mom laughed.
I smiled at the truthful statement, I’d had my kids’ names picked out since middle school, but what girl hasn’t?
“Knock, knock!” A sweet voice called from the door. Barbara and another lady walked in carrying the large cake. My dad and Robin rushed to help the ladies carry the heavy box, placing it on the table between the two Mason jars..
Harry and I stood to greet her, each being pulled into a large hug.
“Oh darling, you are just glowing. Is Harry taking care of you?” She asked with a warm smile.
I looked up at my handsome husband who was blushing, dimples indenting his cheeks. “He sure is.”
She clasped her hands together in excitement. “Are we ready to find out what this baby is?”
“Let’s do it!” Harry exclaimed kissing my head and pulling us over to where the cake was displayed.
“Alright everybody! Gather ‘round!” Harry announced.
“Has everyone made their predictions?” I asked looking at the two jars. The group all nodded, waiting anxiously for us to cut into the cake. “Daddy? Camera ready?”
My dad held a thumbs up as he stood behind the video camera ready to capture the reveal. Anne brought us a knife, and just like at our wedding, Harry placed one hand on my hip while his other one covered mine on the knife. Smiling, we cut into the cake. The first piece was pulled from the cake revealing the pink center.
“We knew it!” Maia and our friend Hannah exclaimed high fiving each other as everyone cheered and ran to us to congratulate us with hugs.
*
Later that night, Harry and I were lying in bed, the talk show we’d lost interest in an hour before playing faintly in the background, his hand stroking my belly as I ran my hand through his curls.
“We’re having a girl.” He whispered in disbelief, I smiled closing my eyes at his soothing touch.

His long body scooted down to be eye level with my belly, his green eyes staring at it as if it was the most wonderful thing in the world. His large hands covering almost my entire belly, lips pressing a kiss right beside my belly button. Soft touches continued on my middle, lulling me to sleep. Right before I dozed off, I heard Harry whisper to my belly.

"Hi there baby girl, I’m your daddy. I can’t wait for you to be here, you’re going to be so beautiful, just like your mummy. I’ll always be here for you baby girl, no matter what. I love you to the moon and back a thousand times."

Tears were brought to my eyes at the sound of my husband’s soft voice murmuring those sweet words to our unborn baby girl. Already, she had her daddy wrapped around her fingers, she was his everything and more.

"This is the start of something beautiful, you are the start of something new." His rough voice sang, stroking my belly, and finally lulling me to a deep and peaceful slumber.

Notes

Wow, that last part gave me so many feels. I couldn’t bear NOT to do a girl, Harry needs his baby girl. And I know EVERYONE makes her name Darcy, but I really love it, it’s grown on me.
The feedback this series has been getting is amazing! Y’all are amazing! Thank you so much for the kind words! Like I say every time I update, they only motivate me to write and update more!
If you have an idea for the series, feel free to tell me! I love hearing what you guys have to say!
Stay tuned for part five: Tickled Pink.