Chapter eleven

Chapter Eleven

A few more weeks had passed since Theo's surgery.

Thankfully, he had made a full recovery.

According to every doctor involved, it had been a routine appendectomy.

According to Theo?

He had narrowly survived a life-threatening medical crisis.

The story became more dramatic every time he told it.

"At one point," Theo informed a very confused cashier one afternoon, "they didn't know if I was gonna make it."

Daisy nearly choked on her coffee.

Harper looked exhausted.

"Theo."

"What?"

"You had appendicitis."

"I had emergency surgery."

"You were in hospital for one night."

"I almost died."

"No you didn't."

Theo remained unconvinced.

Still, seeing him running around happily again made the fear of that day fade a little.

Life slowly returned to normal.

Or at least as normal as it could be with Daisy now heavily pregnant.

Her final scan had come and gone.

Everything looked perfect.

The baby was healthy.

Growing well.

Exactly where she should be.

Now there was only one thing left to do.

Wait.

And Daisy was discovering she hated waiting.

Thirty-six weeks pregnant, she was uncomfortable almost constantly.

Sleeping had become impossible.

Her back hurt.

Her feet hurt.

And her daughter had developed a particular talent for kicking her directly in the ribs.

"She's already stubborn," Harper announced one afternoon.

"She's not stubborn."

"She's your child."

Fair.

One Saturday, Harper arrived at Daisy's apartment carrying several boxes and enough decorations to throw a small wedding.

Daisy immediately became suspicious.

"What are you doing?"

"Your baby shower."

Daisy groaned.

"No."

"Yes."

"I thought we already did this."

"That was the gender reveal."

"Same thing."

Harper looked horrified.

"It is absolutely not the same thing."

Before Daisy could argue further, the doorbell rang.

Then again.

And again.

Within half an hour, her apartment was full.

Hospital colleagues arrived carrying gifts.

Friends appeared with gift bags.

Claire walked in holding a giant stuffed elephant almost bigger than she was.

"Why is it so large?" Daisy asked.

"So the baby can ride it."

"The baby is not riding an elephant."

Claire looked disappointed.

The afternoon quickly became a blur of laughter and chaos.

Tiny outfits were opened.

Blankets unfolded.

Books stacked neatly on the coffee table.

Someone gifted enough diapers to last a small lifetime.

One of Daisy's coworkers handed over a tiny pair of pink sneakers that made everyone immediately emotional.

"They're so small," Daisy whispered.

Harper saw her expression and smiled softly.

"That's because she's tiny."

The nursery slowly filled with everything Daisy still needed.

And for the first time, she allowed herself to stop worrying and simply enjoy it.

No fear.

No planning.

No overthinking.

Just excitement.

Later, while everyone chatted in the living room, Daisy quietly wandered into the nursery.

Sunlight streamed through the windows.

The dark wood crib stood ready.

The dresser was stocked.

Tiny clothes hung neatly in the wardrobe.

The rocking chair sat waiting in the corner.

Everything was ready.

Everything except the baby.

Emotion tightened unexpectedly in her chest.

Only months ago she couldn't imagine this room existing.

Now she couldn't imagine her life without the little girl it was waiting for.

A soft voice interrupted her thoughts.

"You okay?"

Harper stood in the doorway.

Daisy smiled.

"Yeah."

And surprisingly, she meant it.

Her sister walked over and squeezed her hand.

"Not long now."

The thought was both exciting and terrifying.

Then suddenly Harper clapped loudly from the doorway.

The sound echoed through the apartment.

Everyone looked up.

Daisy immediately became suspicious.

"What now?"

Harper grinned.

"It's time."

"For what?"

"To pack your hospital bag."

The room erupted with excitement.

Daisy looked horrified.

"My what?"

"Your hospital bag."

"I have weeks."

"No," Harper replied. "You have no idea how long you have."

Unfortunately, she had a point.

Within minutes, the living room became organised chaos.

Experienced mothers offered advice.

Hospital coworkers debated essentials.

Claire insisted snacks were the most important item.

"No one wants to give birth hungry."

"I'm pretty sure that's not how labor works," Daisy replied.

"It is now."

Poppy proudly added a pink teddy bear to the bag.

Theo contributed a small dinosaur.

"The baby needs protection."

"From what?" Daisy asked.

Theo thought carefully.

"Everything."

Honestly, that seemed reasonable.

As the afternoon continued, Daisy sat in the middle of the laughter, gifts, and complete chaos.

Surrounded by friends.

Surrounded by family.

Surrounded by people who loved both her and the little girl she hadn't even met yet.

And for the first time since finding out she was pregnant, Daisy realised something.

She was ready.

Not perfectly prepared.

Not fearless.

But ready.

Ready to meet her daughter.

Ready to become a mother.

Ready for whatever came next.

As her hand rested over her stomach and her daughter kicked softly beneath her palm, Daisy smiled.

Because after months of uncertainty, one thing felt absolutely certain.

She couldn't wait to meet her little girl. ❤️