Chapter 54

The day had arrived, I was going home to spend the day with my beautiful wife and enjoy the baby shower that had been organised, I was getting impatient waiting for all the checks before Doc would let me pass go. I swear I could hear the ticks of the clock taunting me...
But at 10.32am, I was given my reprieve as she said I was good to go, I sat myself in the wheel chair and pretending to crack the whip I got Evan, a new orderly, to push me to the waiting transport, provided by the hospital.
I said I'd get a taxi but Doc would not hear of it, and to add to the day I was to be back at rehab by 5pm, I honest to god felt like Cinder fucking rella, but I said nothing chewed my cud and set about enjoying the day to celebrate the coming arrival of our baby.

I lived a short twenty five minute trip from where I was staying, so all was good and it took next to know time before we had pulled up outside.
D and my mom came rushing out to greet  me, the driver, said nothing and did not even acknowledge my family. I made a comment, "you know it wont hurt to smile and be polite once in a while, saying hello won't kill ya?" he just gave me a look and grunted, then got out of the car and went round the back to get the chair.

He had no personality or people skills and only allowed me to stand as he positioned the chair for me to sit again, he used monosyllables "Stand" "Sit" I was expecting a pat on the head and a bone.
I tried to joke with him, but it was met again with silence, I told myself to just ignore it, even though it was really starting to piss me off. I clenched my jaw real tight and decided to just do everything he told me, so I could get in the house Bless,my ma tried taking over, only to find herself on the end of his tongue. " ma'am desist, that is my job.. thank you."  my ma, looked at me, then stood to the side to allow Lurch which was the name I'd now given him to get me seated comfortable in one of the arm chairs. Inside it was decorated in keeping with the shower, blues and pinks adorned the shelves, throws and blankets over the furnishings... it really looked amazing, and as a guy who don't normally do that kinda thing I was surprised at me, and how well D had made the place look.
"wow D the place looks amazing."
"I know don't it, wait till your see out back.... its... well you'll see?"  she was glowing, she rested her hand on our baby bump, and her eye's sparkled as she was looking around at her own handiwork.
"Can I go take a look see?"
"no, not yet, wait for everyone to arrive first ok?"
I pouted, which made D laugh, something I had not heard her do for some time. Despite lurch watching over me like a fly hovering around its dinner, it was good being home. I missed it real bad.
By lunch time, guests had started arriving congratulating us both on our expected arrival, it was great seeing friends that I had not seen in like forever, but answering questions about me, was difficult, they wanted to know what happened, why it happened, thank god for my ma, pop and D, other wise I think I would have lost it.
by mid afternoon the guests had filtered out back to where D was holding the shower. Lurch took me outback and I was amazed at how the yard had been changed into a baby paradise, everything trimmed out in blue and pink, to match inside the home, tables laid in white linen with either a blue or pink overlay, baskets with either a girl of boy doll on the tables which also held the wine. lots of sparkles scattered on the tables too, shining in the sunlight, making everything look alive with lights.  
the bushes, had been covered in fairy lights too and there were two storks marching around the garden with pretend bundles in their beaks. I couldn't take the smile from my face. D lent in close, "so what you think papa Bongiovi?"
as she was near I stole a kiss, and told her "babe its incredible...its really beautiful...." my ma who had been mingling came over, "isn't it fantastic?"
I shook my head, " sure is ma." just look at all the gifts on the table over there? your baby is one lucky girl.... or boy..." she smiled at me then hurried away... I called over D, "what's with my ma, she's just said something not strange but her behaviour is...."
"really?, I don't know why? what she say?"
"that our baby girl.... or boy is lucky then she took off like a bee was chasing her..."
D looked at me perplexed too, "babe I have no idea what's eating her, want me to chase her and find out?"
I shook my head, " nah leave her, maybe its the excitement of it all eh?"
D agreed, "Maybe, but that is strange.."
a thought crossed D's mind, you don't think she has contacted the Dr at the hospital do you and she knows the gender?"
I thought hard, and then like lightening it hit me. "who did your scan?"
"Dr V, why?"
"Cause Dr V, was who delivered me and Matty, I bet she knows... I raised my hand  and called her over, "Ma, here a minute?"
she looked over uneasy, and took her time, when eventually she came and stood by me I asked, "you know don't you?"
"Know what dear?"
"the sex of our baby?"
I don't know what you mean?, how very could I know..." she tried to laugh it off, but I knew my ma too well.
"you could not let alone could you?, you had to spoil our surprise..." D placed her hand on my shoulder and tried to keep me calm, but it was hard, all's I could do was swallow real hard, keep on smiling and carry on the charade of being happy in front of our friends, but once they had gone I was having it out with my mom. make no mistake about that.