Chapter Sixteen: Sophia

We find out the sex today, I’m more than excited. I can’t wait to determine if there’s a little Thomas or a little Sophia inside. I’m a little over four months pregnant now and still not even really showing. I feel like I’m going to be one of those women that pops out at the last minute and looks huge. I am so excited to start picking out nursery colors and little clothes once I know what I’m having. There will be lots of things monogrammed with his or her initials.

Also, it’s my second day at the office. Thomas was happy to help me find a job when I told him the bar made me nervous now. Something about being pregnant didn’t make me want to wink at guys and break up girl fights all night. He got me a job working for a school friend of his as a security. She went out on maternity leave and would return when I was getting ready to go out. It was perfect.

When I walk into work on my second day there’s a strange feeling in the room. Everyone appears to be looking at me. When I get to my desk, my phone beeps and I see a text from Gina. There’s a link to an article that says Soap Heiress Opens Up About Her Bestie Thomas Henry and the Gold-digger He’s Knocked UP.

I didn’t know Julia was a soap heiress, but there’s no way this isn’t her. My heart starts to race and I start breathing heavily. What did she say about me? I’ve been lucky in my life I’ve never really had toxic relationships with other women. I’ve pretty much steered clear of having female friends my whole life, but I have a feeling this could get nasty.

I start to read. Julia Sugarman an heiress to her father’s company Happy Beauty is coming out to talk about her concern over Thomas Henry’s new woman. The reality star’s girlfriend is six months pregnant and Julia thinks it was a fluke. She says Sophia wasn’t even on the radar until Thomas’s father started talking about cutting him out of the inheritance if he didn’t produce an heir. Sugarman says she believes the relationship will end shortly after the baby is born and that it will all have been for nothing.

There’s a video attached to the article. I anxiously hit play and see a guy walking outside a large building that looks like a cathedral.

A reporter was able to talk to Thomas’s fourteen-year-old sister who had this to say, “my brother doesn’t get into relationships lightly. Julia has always wanted it to be her. I think he cares for this woman and I can’t wait to meet her.”

My heartstrings felt tugged at Dinah’s honest response. I hadn’t thought of how all these crazy news stories probably reached her and she had to deal.

My phone is ringing and I stop reading.

“They went after my sister Soph, I’m going to kill Julia. What is her problem?” I haven’t heard him sound so distraught before. The love he has for Dinah warms my heart.

“I know Thomas. She didn’t seem too bothered by it. What a great kid.”

“I’m coming to get you for this appointment, I don’t want you to get hurt or feel uncomfortable. I don’t know if they know where you work, but I’m guessing they do.”

“Okay, I’ll see you soon.”

My co-workers are looking at me. Luckily my boss is behind a closed door but there are two other secretaries and a financial manager I share the office space with.

“We’re going to find out if it’s a boy or a girl today,” I tell them smiling.

The chorus of oohs and ahs replaces my anxiety as they all break into questions about names and what sex I prefer. Healthy, of course, isn’t that always the answer? I picture a little Thomas Henry with a suit and tie. The image just pops into my head. I shake it free.

I want a healthy baby, I think again, boy or girl.

Thomas wasn’t kidding about the press. Our appointment is at one thirty and when I walk out at one I am swarmed by cameramen. Some of them are their usual nice selves.

“You look lovely Sophia, how do you like the new job. Over here Sophia, look at me please.”

Then there are some that aren’t being polite at all.

“Gold-digger. How could you do this to Thomas, he loves you. This baby is an abomination.”

I’m getting confused and light headed. They seem to be closing in on me from all sides. All I want to do is go back into the building and hide under my desk. Somewhere out of the fray Thomas reaches for me and pulls me into him protectively.

“What is wrong with you? She’s pregnant and you’re crowding her.”

“Is it true you’re losing your fortune and that’s why you and Sophia are having a baby?”

“I could lose all my fortune and as long as I have her and my baby I’ll be fine.”

“Sophia, do you believe that’s true?” One of them asks. I’ve put my head against Thomas and I’m not even trying to see them anymore as he guides me to the car.

“You guys have it all wrong. I love her. You’re insane, get away from her.” Thomas is frantic as he pulls me towards his car. I’m not surprised Julia has continued her attack on me, but this is getting ridiculous.

The things he’s saying are so nice and romantic. It’s really too bad they aren’t real.

We pull up to the clinic and I’m still so rattled I don’t want to get out. The cameramen have followed us of course, but not as many.

“Back off,” Thomas yells as he comes around to help me out. “Let us have our day. We’re finding out if it’s a girl or a boy.”

I feel safe as he guides me inside and we make it into the second set of double doors. The place is used to this kind of craziness. It’s a clinic one of the Kardashians had been to for her pre-pregnancy appointments. The lady at the front desk had told us that last time we were here.

“Going to find out what you’re having today!” The same lady squeals as we walk up to the front counter. Suddenly, I’m nervous. I can’t wait to know, but I’m scared to know. I think part of me realizes once we know, it’s going to be really real.

When we walk into the room and I lay down beside the machines I feel better. My hand goes to my stomach and I look over at Thomas. He’s smiling.

“There she is, look at her moving.” The technician says and points to the screen.

I watch and see some flashes on the screen. It isn’t until the wand moves up my belly and a profile comes into focus I understand what I’m looking at.

“That’s the face!” I exclaim and point to the screen.

“Yes, it is, now I’m going to move down and try to see the little privates. If the baby doesn’t have its legs crossed, we should be able to tell you what it is today.”

She pushes and moves the wand around on my belly the gel slipping around. I hold my breath as I see what looks like a little butt shining out at me.

“There we go,” she points to a part of the screen. “See those three lines?”

I nod leaning forward. I see three faint lines, but I can’t tell what I’m looking at as far as body parts go.

“It’s a girl,” she smiles and looks at the two of us.

I immediately start to cry. There’s no reason for it, it’s just knowing there’s a little girl inside of me.

“Aurora,” I say without thinking.

“Is that what you want to name her?”

“I’m sorry, hormones.” I wipe away my tears. “I’ve had a baby girl name picked out since I was six. I know that’s weird. Aurora June Henry.”

“That’s beautiful, Sophia. It’s perfect.”

I cry some more, and the woman goes out to give us a minute. I let him hold me. This has become very real and I find I’m happy.

After a little while, she comes back in to measure the head and look at some other things. I’m floating on air when we leave, and I can’t wait to tell my mother she’s going to have a little granddaughter. It might calm down how mad she’s going to be when she finds out I’m pregnant out of wedlock.

“You want to go out for lunch?” Thomas asks me as we’re leaving.

I’m suddenly hit with a craving and the desire to cook. I don’t know if it’s a form of nesting.

“I want to cook, let’s just go home,” I tell him hoping he won’t object. He has no idea if I can cook or not.

“Sounds great.” He says, and we walk outside to a chorus of cameramen screaming at us. I ignore them because I don’t want anything to dampen my mood.