The Only Exception

Book 2 Part 4

I pulled into the driveway and the look on Noah’s face was a little shocking. I turned and looked at him and then realized what he was gawking at. Since he has been gone and I have been out on maternity leave (Let’s just say, FIRED but still getting paid), I have taken up on my green thumb and had re-landscaped some of the front yard with some flowers and some little trees. He tells me how great of a job I did on adding something to the yard so it doesn’t look so desolate.

Meanwhile, we went inside and I seen Noah looking around the house, noticing some of the little things I have added or changed while he has been gone, such as more pictures, paintings, and candles. He turned and said,

“Did you really do all of this while I was away?”

“Yeah, I did. Do you like it? I mean I tried-” He interrupted me by setting his hand gently on my lips.

“It’s really nice, Celeste. I love it.” He said and pulled me into a hug. We stood there, just holding each other, until the little one kicked and Noah felt it. “Whoa! He must be ready to come out soon.” He smiled and chuckled.

“Shhh! Don’t tell him that Noah! He might get ideas and want to come out soon.” I joked.

“Well, I wouldn’t see why he wouldn’t want to come out. I mean, he is going to have the most beautiful, caring, loving mother that anyone could ask for.” He kissed my cheek.

“Well he also is going to have the most protective, compassionate, and strong father to look up to. I couldn’t see any reason why he wouldn’t want to see you too.” I smiled and leaned my head on his broad shoulder. We finally had walked into the living room and had sat down on the love seat.

I had risen from the couch but had wobbled a little and I swear, I had never seen Noah jump up for any reason except if I had tripped or something. I patted his arm and comforted him. I walked into the kitchen and I made some grilled cheese sandwiches and heated up some leftover soup that I had made. We ate and talked for a long time until I rose with the dishes and Noah said, “No, I’ll do the dishes. You need to go take a shower and rest.”

He kissed my forehead and I went into the bathroom and had started to soap up when I realized that Noah was washing my back. I turned around and we took a shower together and it felt so nice having him home. I knew it wouldn’t last long, but we had to make it last.

The next morning, I showed him some of the baby shower invitations and we just relaxed and was lazy for the day. I think he really enjoyed just being lazy for a day instead of just working out and getting lectures. But being the gentleman he is, he wouldn’t let me make dinner. He took his time in making dinner, and as usual, it had amazing flavor. He made what I was craving for, and I didn’t even need to tell him.

On that Tuesday morning, we both got ready to go to our 10:30 appointment. We are in the waiting room along with other expecting mothers, when the nurse calls, “Celeste Christensen?” Noah rises from his seat and holds his hand out for me. I grab it and stand up and we follow the nurse into the room. She led us into a pale green room with a cot, two chairs, and a one of those scanner thingys with a monitor. I sit on the edge of the cot, holding Noah’s hand and we both wait for the doctor to come.

The door opens and a tall, curly-haired, blonde woman in a white coat walked in and said, “Hi, I’m Dr. Johnson. You must be Mr. and Mrs. Christensen, am I correct?” She shakes both of our hands. “Do you have any questions so far?” She sits down in the other chair and smiles.

Noah asked a question about the delivery. She answered him in a warm, friendly tone. “Now, let’s see how big this baby is.” She whips out the scanner and I lean back, pull my shirt up and she squirts the goo on my belly. She sets the scanner on the goo and looks around until she finds what she is looking for. We hear the heartbeat vibrating through the room.

“Here we go. You can take a look at your baby boy.” She smiles and I turn my head to look at the screen. I then turn to Noah and he is grinning.

We leave the office and all the way home he is giddy with excitement. I am happy that I’m having a boy. That way he can be a gentleman, just like his father. I squeeze Noah’s hand and he kisses my hand. We don’t tell anyone about the gender of the baby.

It seemed so soon that Noah had to go back to his base, but now he was happy that his wife and child are healthy and happy. I didn’t want him to leave again, but I know that he only had a few months left to serve, then he was finished. We were at the airport again, and it just seemed to be a replay of when he first had to leave, besides the fact that I was 5 months pregnant this time. I kissed him one last time and he was crying a little, but not as bad as I was. He turned and started to board and I turned around to walk all the way back to the parking lot, but I felt him squeeze me one last time. I wiped away his tears and said, “You are strong, Noah. I’ll always be waiting. So will little Carter Lucas Christensen. Just come home safe and in one piece. Please?” I rested my head on his chest one last time before he pulled away and said,

“Celeste, I will come home as soon as I can. I promise it. I will try to get a transfer closer to home. I will call you every day. I love you so much Celeste.” He kissed me and we finally departed. I drove home and it seemed like having Noah leave again was much worse than the first time he left. I did some psychology homework and sat in the kitchen with my coffee cup filled with iced tea until the sun went down and came up again.

Author's Note: ATTENTION READERS!!!! PLEASE do me a favor and send me some feedback! If you like it, tell me to keep going! :D