Gender reveal party

Gender reveal party
Diana

The day of the gender reveal party had arrived, and I was so nervous I felt like I might faint just looking at the cake. My hands were shaking like Jell-O wobbling on a tray. Ethan was pretending to be calm... but I knew the man. Inside, he was totally freaking out.

"Are you okay?" I asked, half-laughing.

"I'm great," he replied with the cockiest grin on the planet. "Just trying not to drop dead on the floor."

I rolled my eyes. Ever since I got pregnant, he’d turned into a sort of emotional bodyguard. I’d sneeze, and he’d immediately ask if he should call the doctor.

Ethan’s family started arriving. Eva, his mom, walked in talking loudly and full of excitement, as always.

"Oh my God, I didn't sleep a wink! I dreamt it was going to be a girl! I’m absolutely certain!"

Luana, his sister, just replied:

"Mom, you dream that the microwave calls you by name. I don't trust those dreams of yours."

And the stepmother... well... that woman seemed to breathe arrogance. I don't know how anyone could permanently wear a face that looked like they’d just sniffed acid. She walked in, looked around, gave a "whatever" look, and sat down.

Ethan wrapped his arm around my waist and pulled me close.

"Admit it," he whispered. "You want a girl."

"I just want the baby to be healthy," I replied, trying to sound serious.

He gave me that look.

I sighed.

"Fine, I wanted a boy. But if it’s a girl, I’ll fake surprise perfectly."

He laughed, gave me a quick kiss, and called everyone out to the backyard.

There were balloons everywhere. It looked like a decoration truck had exploded right there.

Ethan was holding a small gold box. All he had to do was pull the ribbon, and the cannon would go off.

My heart was pounding like a drum. “Ready?” he asked.

“No. But let’s do it.”

Everyone started counting down.

“ONE… TWO… THREE!”

Ethan pulled the ribbon, and the cannon exploded with blue confetti everywhere.

“It’s a boy!” Eva shouted.

I couldn't even react properly because, the second the blue shot up, Ethan hugged me so hard he almost knocked the wind out of me.

“We’re having a son,” he said, his voice thick with emotion. “Diana… a boy…”

And then I cried. Obviously. Hormones give you no break.

Eva came over to hug us, nearly knocking everything over. Luana cheered like a sports fan. My stepmother clapped as if she were being paid to do it.

Ethan kept staring at my belly as if it were about to explode with confetti all over again at any moment.

When everyone finally left, the house went quiet. Nice and quiet—just the way I like it.

I sat on the sofa with Ethan; there was still blue confetti stuck in my hair.

He pulled me onto his lap.

“Are you happy?”

“I am,” I answered, wearing that goofy, uncontrollable smile. “Very.”

He traced my cheek with his finger, unhurried.

“I don’t think it’s really sunk in yet. A son. Our son.”

“Yeah,” I murmured. “It’s barely started, and everything’s already turned upside down.”

“He takes after you, then,” Ethan teased.

“I swear to God, Ethan…”

He laughed.

I rested my head on his shoulder. I was exhausted, but I felt light.

“Have you thought of a name?” he asked.

“I have. But you’re going to complain.”

“Tell me.”

“Joel.”

He made a face so quickly it actually made me want to laugh.

“Babe… Joel sounds like the name of an uncle who fixes antennas.”

I burst out laughing.

“Okay, your turn.” "Say the name you were thinking of."

He straightened up, looking overly serious.

"Zephan."

I blinked slowly.

"Ethan... that sounds like the name of a bad movie villain."

"It’s strong."

"It’s awful."

"You lack vision," he replied with a laugh.

"My love, that’s not happening. Ever."

He placed his hand on my face.

"Can I at least try picking something else?"

"Sure," I answered, "as long as it doesn't sound like an online game character's name."

"I promise," he said, raising his hand as if swearing in before a judge.

I stretched out on the sofa and unconsciously placed my hand on my belly. Ethan came over and laid his hand over mine.

"Hey, little guy," he said softly. "Your dad's here."

That was it. I melted right there. I was an emotional puddle.

He continued:

"I’m going to be the best dad in the world. You’ll see."

I swallowed back the tears. This man had that power... he could move me without even trying.

"I love you," I said out of the blue.

His eyes grew warm. I can't explain it, but they did.

"I love you too, Diana."

We sat there in silence, just listening to each other breathe.

After a few minutes, he spoke:

"Have you ever thought about how this boy is going to be just like you?"

"Just like me in what way?"

"Stubborn, emotional, dramatic..."

"Ethan!"

He laughed.

"...and perfect."

I huffed to pretend I wasn't in love, but I was. So much.

"Do you think we can handle it?" I asked quietly.

"I do," he answered without hesitation. "Because we have each other. And that solves half the problems right there."

I rested my head against his chest again. His heart was beating strong. Steady. It was my favorite place in the whole world.

"Do you know what the best part of today was?" — I asked.

— The blue explosion that almost made you jump back? — he laughed.

— No. — I looked at him. —...see you crying.

He feigned indignation.

"I didn't cry. I... felt a wave of emotion."

"Uh-huh, sure."

He pulled me even closer.

"You're going to be an amazing mom," he said softly.

"And you're going to be a crazy dad."

"Crazy about you," he added.

That was it. It was no use; I just melt at things like that.

I ran my hand over my belly again. It was strange to think there was a little life in there—quietly growing.

And now, I knew who he was.

My son.

Our son.

My little boy.

And deep in my heart, I felt a love so vast it could barely be contained.

And I swear... that was the moment I understood it all.

The fear.

The anxiety.

The happiness.

The future.

We were starting a family.

Me, Ethan, and our little one—who, thank God, wasn't going to be named Zephan.