Yours Truly

I nervously picked at the few spots of lint on my maroon tights, and felt my stomach knot as we drew closer to the quiet restaurant in Bradford. Both of my parents, as well as Zayn's parents, were meeting us there and we were going to announce my pregnancy. The bump was more noticeable now, still only protruding a few inches, but I still feared that they would instantly know and wore a loose sweater dress. I placed my hands gently on the bump, still in awe that I was actually pregnant, and smiled as Zayn placed his hand over mine at a red light.

"Stop stressing babes, it's not good for our baby," he smiled, moving his thumb in comforting circles, "It'll be okay. Our mum's will probably cry knowing them, and after the initial shock and 'I want to kill you' phase from our dad's, they'll be chuffed to bits."

"I know, I know," I sighed, linking our hands over the center console as the light turned green, "Ten bucks says my mum calls the pregnancy as soon as we tell them we have news to share."

“I think both of our mum’s will,” Zayn laughed, pulling up to the parking lot, “Guess it’s now or never, Val.”

I sighed, knowing he was right, and reached into the backseat for my purse as the car turned off. I straightened my coat out, walking around to meet Zayn at the front of the car, and linked our hands as we walked towards the entrance. My boots clicked against the concrete, creating the only noise between us, and I sucked in a breath as Zayn told the hostess we had a private room reserved. She lead us into the room, our parents already sitting around and sharing some wine, and our mums jumped up to gather us in hugs.

I embraced my mum gratefully, hugging her as tightly as she was hugging me, and grimaced as she pulled away with a weird look in her eyes. She studied my face, letting her eyes drop down to my stomach, and I shrugged so I could move on to hug my dad. We all settled into our seats, Zayn and I declining wine saying we had our drive home to worry about and fell into easy conversation as we flipped through our menus. Conversation seemed to halt when our food arrived, and I tried to ignore that all I was really craving was an olive pizza and a milkshake.

“So, anything else interesting happen in America?” my mum asked, a knowing look crossing her features.

“Liam and Bettie got engaged on the ice rink at Rockefeller Center!” I supplied, smiling at the memory.

“Always figured those two would tie the knot,” Zayn’s mom supplied, smiling softly, “What about you two? Any crazy adventures?”

“Actually, yeah we do have some news to share,” Zayn said, gripping my hand lightly, “Do you want me to tell em babes? Or do you wanna do it?”

“I’m pregnant,” I said quickly, holding a breath in as I watched them process the words.

All four of them got the biggest smiles on their faces, and the look of ‘I’ll kill you for getting my baby girl pregnant’ only stayed in my father’s eyes for mere seconds. Words of congratulations tumbled out of their mouths, and I nearly began crying as my mum came over to embrace me. She placed her hand on my stomach, muttering that she had a feeling I was pregnant when she first hugged me, and that caused a few tears to leak out. Once the excitement had died down, we all put in our orders for food, and I realized just how hungry I had become. Zayn poked fun at the large dish I ordered, and I laughed telling him it was only the beginning of the crazy eating.

====

I took a deep breath as I turned the car off, earning a smile of encouragement from Bettie, and braced myself for what was surely about to happen. It was my 5-month check up, and now there was no denying I was pregnant. I had tried to stay out of public, and had taken to wearing baggier clothes when I did go out. There had been speculation that I was pregnant, and even a few nastier gossip sources saying I had just gained a lot of weight.

“Now or never Mama Malik,” Bettie snickered, loving the nickname she had given me after she had found out I was pregnant, “If any of them severely harass you, I’ll let my fighting Irish side come out.”

“You’re never going to get sick of that nickname are you?” I chuckled, finally unbuckling myself, “Let’s show those assholes that I’m not just getting fat.”

Bettie laughed, letting herself out as I did the same, and I instantly shot my gaze down as the flashes started going off. A few of the more forwards paps shouted questions, and got closer than I had wanted. My hand rested on top of my sweater covered bump, and I was grateful when I was safely inside my OBGYN’s office. I smiled at the receptionist I had met a few times before, and was thankful we were taken back to the exam room quickly. The nurse checked my vitals, making small talk as she did so, and I barely had to wait for my doctor when she was done.

“Valerie, lovely to see you again,” Dr. Reagan smiled, “And your little bump, which isn’t so little anymore!”

“Nope, it just keeps getting bigger by the day,” I laughed, rubbing it subconsciously.

“It’s your tiny hips,” Bettie piped in, earning a nod of agreement from Dr. Reagan.

“She’s right. Now, ready to find out how the babies doing, and what you’re going to have?”

“Yes, but instead of you telling me what I’m expecting, can you write it down and put in an envelope without me seeing?” I asked, lifting my shirt up as she readied the ultrasound machine, “I want Zayn and I to find out together, and since he can’t be here, I figure that’s the best way?”

She told me she could do that, and I excitedly watched the screen as she moved the wand across my bump. I couldn’t help but to smile as she showed be the baby and was amazed at how much it had grown since the last ultrasound. The appointment was quick, and I groaned when we left as the paps snapped even more pictures. Bettie flicked them off, telling them to bother someone famous instead of me, and we couldn’t help but to laugh as she read through my replies on twitter about my doctors visit.

I made her tweet out a cryptic message, and exit the app as we pulled into the parking garage. She followed me up to my flat, and drug Liam away from his guys day with Zayn so I could share the news with only Zayn. I told Zayn about the envelope, and promised to open it after I had changed into comfier clothes. Once that was done, and I had peed for what felt like the millionth time that day, I curled into Zayn’s side and clutched the enevelope.

“Y’know, if it’s a girl I get 100 pounds from the guys,” Zayn smiled, bringing up the bet that had been going around since we told the guys.

“Well, let’s see what it is then,” I grinned, tearing into the envelope, “Looks like you’re buying me something with that 100 pounds. We’re having a girl!”

I nearly squealed out the last part, and launched myself in a hug at Zayn. He grabbed me tightly, kissing my lips repeatedly, and did the same to my bump causing me to laugh. The smile on his face was huge, and I was nearly positive the one on mine was just as large. I sent a mass text to our family and friends from Zayn’s phone, telling them our news, and tossed it aside before we could get a response from any of them.

“Well now that you revealed your surprise, it’s time for mine,” Zayn grinned, hopping up from the couch, “Close your eyes and wait until I tell you to open them.”

I did as he said, and listened as I heard him pad across the floor and open a door. It sounded like he had headed to the guest room, and I cocked my head in confusion as he came back moments later. The couch dipped as he sat back down, and I nearly cried out in happiness as he told me to open my eyes, and I saw the puppy resting in his hands. He set it on the couch between us, and it padded over so I could scoop it up.

“You bought us a Corgi!? Zayn this is the best surprise ever,” I exclaimed, scooping the tiny puppy into my arms.

“I know we had talked about getting a dog for a while, and I always loved having one as a kid, so I figured our child should grow up with one,” He beamed, leaning over to scratch the dog’s head, “I haven’t picked a name yet, but I like Sirius if you do?”

“That’s perfect,” I grinned, “Little Sirius, welcome to the family.”

The puppy licked at my face, and I laughed at how happy it seemed. After Zayn took him out to use the bathroom, the three of us curled up in bed to watch a movie. Sirius made himself comfortable on Zayn’s stomach, and I stroked his back as I curled into Zayn’s side. I nearly laughed as they both fell asleep after only a few minutes in bed, and felt my heart flutter as I thought about how my family was coming together perfectly.