Their bed was the BEST. It was huge, they had to get the biggest size because Dad’s so tall. I dropped down next to Mom, snuggling into the fluffy comforter and the zillion pillows she always keeps on the bed but never sleeps with.
“Are you feeling more sick?” I asked, putting my hand to her forehead. She was being stubborn. I was pretty sure we should call Dad…
“I’m okay, baby girl. I just have something to tell you. And I’m a little nervous,” she said.
“Why? Is it bad? What did Dad say about it?” I asked. I hated when adults said things like that. They don’t ever give enough information.
“No, your Dad doesn’t know yet. I wanted to tell you first,” she said, and I got nervous.
“What’s wrong?” I asked, and she reached out to grab my hand. I hadn’t realized I was squeezing them together.
“We’re gonna have a baby,” she said as she put my hand on her belly.
“WHAT?” I yelled, staring at her flat tummy.
“There’s a baby? In there?” I asked, pointing to her, and she just nodded and laughed.
“That’s why I got sick. I don’t think your baby brother or sister liked what I had for breakfast.”
“I’m gonna be a big sister!” I yelled. This is so cool! I’ve always wanted siblings. My friend, Ella, had a little brother who did whatever she said, and she could dress her little sister, May, up whenever she wants. I was going to have SO much fun.
“Is it a boy or a girl? When will they get here? When are you gonna tell Dad?” I asked as I cuddled into Mom’s side. She stroked my hair, the motion reminding me of when I was little.
“It’s too early to know if it’s a boy or a girl. I want to tell your dad soon, but I want to surprise him. Do you think you can help me?”
“Yes! I’m so good at surprises!” I told her, not that she didn’t already know.
“Can you grab my laptop?” she asked, and I hopped off the bed. A baby! It was so exciting. Carrying the computer over to the bed carefully, I handed it to Mom before climbing back up.
Once I got comfy, Mom showed me a picture on her computer.
“You know those temporary tattoos Linc got you last year?” she asked. I nodded. They were so cool. The tattoos looked real, even though they came off after my bath.
“Are we getting more?” I asked, and she turned the screen to show me a picture. It was a heart with a swirly paper over it.
“It says Big Sister.” I screeched.
“Yep! I thought we could get a few of these and put them on your arm. Then, you can go down and show Dad and everyone else at Sunday dinner,” Mom said. She was smiling and already looked better than when she was sick before. Baby brother or sister needed to be nicer to Mommy, but I would teach them when they got here.
“What about you? You should get one too! On your belly!” See? Surprises are totally my thing.
“That’s a great idea! Anything else? I can get a few made, and they should get here by this weekend.” Together, we picked out a few for the surprise, as well as some other ones we liked just to have around, so I could try them on to see if they were important.
Now, my arms were covered in tattoos, with the Big Sister Heart right in the middle of my arm. Auntie Quinn just finished the one on Mommy’s tummy. It looked like a street sign, and it said something like “Baby on board”. I didn’t think it was funny, but Auntie Quinn assured me it was a grown-up thing and she wouldn’t lie.
“Okay! I think we’re ready,” Mom said. I could tell she was nervous.
“Don’t be scared, Mommy. I’ll be with you, and as soon as Dad figures it out, he won’t let you go.” Dad was the best hugger. He was so big, he wrapped me up and held me tight, and he never got tired.
“You’re right, Lulu. Let’s do this!” Mom bent down and pressed a kiss to my cheek.
“Love you, baby girl.”
“Love you too. Now LET’S GO.” Adults always took forever to do things. Auntie Quinn went first, climbing down the stairs really fast.
“Where are the girls?” I heard Dad ask in his grumpy voice. I looked up at Mom, who was making the same face as me, and we laughed.
“Go ahead.” She told me when we got to the bottom step and I darted into the dining room.
