Seeing my sister gagging, I had a hunch about what was going on and quickly helped her into the car, heading straight for the nearby obstetrics and gynecology clinic.
Seated in the passenger seat, my sister seemed still stunned, cautiously opening her mouth to speak with a surprised expression.
“Actually, I haven’t had my period lately, so I was wondering… could it be real, Uju?”
“It seems like it to me. You’ve been eating a bit more than usual lately, right?”
“That’s true, but…”
Sister Seo-ha is usually a light eater. Sure, she doesn’t starve herself to the point where I worry about her survival, but compared to me, she definitely eats less.
Lately, I’ve noticed her snacking more often and that she’s been consuming a bit more during meals. Who knew it would turn out to be true?
Of course, I can’t be certain without a test or a diagnosis, but I had a gut feeling.
That my sister was pregnant.
“I’m sorry. I should have mentioned it earlier…”
“What’s there to apologize for? You must’ve been surprised too.”
“Yeah, but I could have at least taken a test… It feels a bit strange to learn it this way.”
She probably feels guilty for not giving any hints to prepare others, making them worry. But I didn’t mind at all.
From my sister’s perspective, it makes sense that she wouldn’t want to say anything since it was uncertain, especially during a busy time for me when she didn’t want to add to my stress.
For me, it’s just an exhilarating thought that my child might be sleeping in her belly. I try not to get ahead of myself, but the excitement is hard to resist.
Is there any better news for a man than realizing the person he loves is going to become the mother of the child he’ll love most?
Suddenly, the car rumbled.
“Sister, I’ll open the door for you, so please wait a moment.”
“Um? I-I could get out myself…”
As soon as we parked in front of the clinic, I insisted as I got out of the car.
Though my sister reacted with a startled voice, I ignored it. With a possible child in her, I needed to be careful.
“Alright, let’s get out. My lady.”
Like I was escorting a noble lady, I opened the car door for her and extended my hand, to which she stared at me blankly before a gentle smile appeared on her lips.
“Hehe, what if the doctor says no? How disappointed will you be then?”
“Well, we’ll cross that bridge when we get there.”
Of course, I’d be slightly disappointed if it turned out she wasn’t pregnant, but today isn’t the only day. Besides, we weren’t even sure yet, so there was no rush.
I just had a simple desire for things to happen sooner than later.
As we entered the building and boarded the elevator to the third floor, I noticed my sister watching the changing numbers with a slightly tense face.
“Are you nervous, sister?”
“Umm, I was trying not to show it… did you catch me?”
“Of course I did. I now consider myself pretty well-acquainted with you.”
While she’s not the type to pick up on every little thing from my expressions, after spending quite some time together, I’ve unwittingly learned a lot.
Especially the unique stiff face she shows when trying not to reveal something. Even I can see right through it, so when I notice that, I usually take her hand without saying anything.
Like now.
“Everything’s going to be alright. If there really is a baby, you should be happy about it. And even if there isn’t yet, it will happen someday.”
“Well, today isn’t the only day.”
“That’s the spirit.”
Smiling at her as we faced each other, we stepped through the open door into the obstetrics and gynecology clinic.
Fortunately, there weren’t too many people. I wouldn’t have to wait long.
“Welcome! Are you here for a consultation?”
“Ah, yes. My girlfriend is…”
“In that case, could you fill out this waiting ticket first?”
“Sure.”
After passing the note from the nurse, my sister completed it and handed it back, and we returned to our seats, both jittery as we waited.
Up until we arrived, I was a bit more relaxed, but now that we were in the clinic, the reality began to set in, and I unconsciously squeezed my thighs tightly.
“Huh, you told me not to be tense, yet it feels like you’re more nervous, Uju?”
Noticing my hand clenching my thigh, my sister playfully overlapped her hand over mine and smiled.
The moment was awkward after my earlier comment, so I cleared my throat to divert my gaze.
“Ahem, I can’t help it. It might be the day I become a dad.”
“What do you think it would feel like if that day comes?”
If it really were that day? Hmm, that’s quite hard to describe. It would be exciting, yes, but also something beyond expression.
“I think it would be hard to put it into words. It would be surreal yet joyful, happy and fulfilling…”
“So basically, it means you’re happy, right?”
“Of course I’m happy. Wouldn’t you be?”
I asked, slightly brusque, wondering if I was alone in this excitement, but she shook her head, intertwining her fingers.
“That can’t be. Since meeting you, it’s been my dream to cherish this so much.”
“…Hearing that directly is a bit embarrassing.”
“My boyfriend is quite the shy one.”
Poke.
She playfully poked my cheek with her finger, smiling sweetly.
“Ryu Seo-ha, please proceed to examination room number two.”
Just then, at the opportune moment, the nurse’s voice called out, signaling it was our turn.
I stood up, loosening my stiff shoulders, and reached out my hand to my sister. Grabbing it with a smile, she slowly followed me toward the examination room on the right.
“Welcome! What brings you here today?”
A doctor in her early to mid-forties, resembling my mom a bit, greeted us.
“Ah, well, I think my girlfriend might be experiencing morning sickness.”
“I see. By the way, how long has the young lady not had her period?”
Turning to check with my sister behind me, she paused for a moment, counting on her fingers before answering.
“My last one was… about four weeks ago.”
“That’s a bit early, but it’s just around the time for morning sickness. Let’s start with an ultrasound, shall we? Would you like to move to the nearby examination room?”
“Yes.”
Following the nurse’s guidance, my sister headed to the examination room. I tried to go with her, but the doctor advised me to stay seated, so I awkwardly returned to my chair.
There was a brief rustling from the next room, and soon, a small monitor next to the door began displaying a completely dark screen.
Thud.
I stared blankly at it, unsure what I was looking at, when the door opened again, and my sister appeared, adjusting her outfit.
After she sat down, the doctor looked at us both, suddenly breaking into a delighted smile.
“Congratulations! I can confirm, both of you are going to be parents!”
“What!?”
“Is it really true, doctor?!”
With her refreshing words washing away our anxious feelings, I jumped up from my seat.
Sister Seo-ha clasped her hands with a look of sheer joy, checking with the doctor again as if to confirm this wasn’t just a dream.
“Yes, definitely. You can see here that the baby is settling in nicely. It seems you’re about five weeks along.”
“Wow, it’s already that far along…”
“I feel bad for not noticing sooner.”
“Exactly.”
As we casually bantered, we couldn’t hide our joyous smiles.
We were already a mom and dad. Even if others might think that was too early since we hadn’t told anyone yet, as my father-in-law said yesterday, there’s no need to worry about that.
We should just be purely happy and enjoy the fact we’re expecting.
“I don’t know what to do, Uju? I think I’m going to cry…”
While the doctor was explaining some important points to us, my sister, already in tears, tried to hide them while shaking her head.
It seemed like she was trying hard to suppress her emotions, but I couldn’t see any reason to do so.
“Why not cry? It’s a happy day like this.”
“But… what if our baby thinks Mommy is sad? They say if a mother is sad, the baby can feel it…”
“Is that so?”
Honestly, my sister had a tendency to worry about the oddest things.
Feeling overwhelmed with emotion, I handed her a tissue and patted her back.
“The baby will understand mommy’s happiness. So go ahead and cry without holding back.”
“Sniff… but I’m so happy…”
“Of course, it’s okay.”
Smiling, I hugged her, watching her let her long-held feelings pour out in tears.
As I witnessed her, a flood of memories flashed through my mind.
When I first realized my feelings for her, the moment I discovered her secret and confessed, the night we spent together for the first time. Every little and significant memory raced by like a panorama.
Suddenly, I felt the urge to cry myself, so I gripped her tighter, trying to suppress my emotions.
I wanted to be someone who supports others, not just someone who needs support. That was the first time I thought that while looking at her.
And now, starting today, the person I want to support has increased to two.
So I couldn’t let my tears show.
Instead, I masked my emotions with a sense of fulfillment and warmth in my heart, nodding as if nothing was happening.
Yes, today, I have officially become a father.
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