I haven't seen much of Chris lately because of him preparing for the Super Bowl, but he made sure to call and check on me everyday.

We were actually nicer to each other, which I found to be a breath of fresh air.

Today, however, I had a scheduled Doctor's appointment. My eight month update fell on the day I would be traveling to New Orleans, so I moved it up. It was perfect considering I needed an appointment done anyway to confirm if I was safe to travel.

I thought I'd kill two birds with one stone.

Pulling my front door, open I headed to my unused BMW. Chris couldn't come with me to the appointment because of training, but he told me to update him right after.

This would be the first time in a while I'm actually driving. I wasn't a fan of driving this late in my pregnancy, but I gotta do what I gotta do.

Once I was seated in my car, I tried to get comfortable. Pushing my seat back so that my bump was away from the wheel, I got into a good position.

Making sure to place my seat belt securely over my belly, I was ready to go.

As I started up my car, my phone synced to my car Bluetooth immediately as an incoming call rang through.

"Man I just got in here" I mumbled to myself before answer the call "hello?"

"Yeah Ce, you at the Doctor's yet?" He asked sounding out of breath

"What no hi or nothing?" I asked faking offense "Wow Chris and to think we were just becoming friends"

"Hi, Celine" he said laughing "So you there yet?"

"No I'm not I just got in the car" I told him

"Oh alright, you not doing the 3D ultrasound today right?" He asked

"No, you're not here and I thought it'd be messed up to do it without you. I know how you get in your feelings" I said as decided to start driving

"Wow, look whose thinking about others" he said teasingly as he laughed

"Shut up" I laughed as I got out of the parked spot and began to drive down the road.

"No, but for real I really appreciate it. Also I got Jalen's room done and...it's pretty fire" he said in a sing-song voice.

"Mine is done too, actually" I said with a smile.

I lied, the room wasn't technically ready. One wall needed repainting in the baby's room, but that was just a minor detail I'd get fixed today anyway.

"Oh so this about to go down for real? Whose gon judge whose is better?" He asked chuckling

"Uh Jalen" I said shrugging

"Oh hell nah. He's a whole baby Ce. What kinda contest is this?" He said

"Well if we get judges there's chances they will be biased. We could just judge it ourselves and be honest with each other" I shrugged as my car came to a stop at the red light.

I knew I could be honest, but could he be honest?

"Nah we do a poll on IG and see which gets the most votes" he said

"That works, but you can't be telling people which is yours and which is mine. That's cheating" I pointed out.

"I gotchu, but listen I gotta go. Come over today though, I want to show how the room looks. I'm way too hype to wait" he said sounding excited

"I'll see if I could quickly stop by" I said not making any promises

"I'll be home at five, so you can come at around five-thirty if you could" He estimated before releasing a breath "Alright, listen I gotta head to the film room. I'll see you later"

"We'll see" I laughed lightly before hanging up the call.

The reason I didn't give him a definite answer was because after my appointment, Andrew was coming over to fix an accent wall I thought I liked, but now was against.

He had asked what I was up to, and I had responded with "about to call painters to fix the wall in the baby's room"

And he had offered up his services to do it, take out lunch was included after he finished the job.

Due to not knowing how long he'd be here for, it was better for me to just not out right make a promise to Chris.

I continued to drive cautiously down the road and before I knew it I was at the Doctor's office. It took a while to get there with the traffic and distance combined, but I was here nonetheless.

Parking my car in a close spot, I proceeded to stop the engine.

Taking a moment to gather my things, I stepped out of my car and made my way into the building.

Walking straight to the front desk, I smiled at the lady behind it.

"Hello, how may I be of assistance to you today?" The kind lady smiled

"Hi, I have an appointment with Dr. Alexander today" I informed her

"Okay, what is your first and last name so I can look you up in the system" she said as she placed her hands on the keyboard keys of the desk top in front of her.

"Celine Washington" I relayed to her

Typing away at her computer, she paused before nodding her head.

"Yep, your name is right here" she said before turning to me "just take a seat and a nurse will come get you to do a quick check up and then we will send you to the ultrasound room"

"Thank you" I said kindly

"No problem" she smiled back

Turning around, I headed straight for the waiting room chairs to sit down.

Soon enough a nurse came and got me to do all the necessary checks and I was ushered into the ultrasound room shortly after.

"So Dad isn't here today?" Dr. Alexander asked as she moved the doppler around my exposed belly.

"No, he couldn't make it" I informed her

"Oh, alright" she said as she looked at the monitor as did I.

Jalen's steady heart beats could be heard loud and clear in the room and that made me smile.

"He looks perfectly healthy. Ten fingers and ten toes" she said with a smile as she continued to maneuver around my belly

I looked at the screen in awe. This obviously isn't my first ultrasound, but I was always amazed every appointment that my body was carrying something so perfect.

"You can really see his face a little. We could definitely see his full face better with the 3D ultrasound" she said looking at me briefly

"Oh no, I want to do that when Chris is here. He wants to be here for that, so let's hold off on that" I said quickly

"No problem" she said back

As I looked at the monitor more, I could see Jalen looked to have Chris' nose.

"Well okay everything looks good" Dr. Alexander said removing the Doppler from my stomach and handing me a paper towel to wipe the gel off.

"I have one question before we wrap this up" I said as I began to wipe my belly clean

"Ask away" Dr. Alexander said

"I was wondering if It is safe for me to travel? I have a possible trip planned to Louisiana and want to know if it's okay" I asked nervously.

I was hoping to God himself she said I was okay to travel. If not I was about to be real pressed about it.

"Everything looks to be good and it's okay to travel at thirty-four weeks. Thirty-six weeks is when it's a concern so you just about passed the mark" she said laughing lightly

"Oh thank God" I said sighing in relief

"I will however check the blood sample and urine sample you provided to us and give you results on that to be extra safe. From the looks of things though, you are good" she nodded

"Alright thank you" I said giddily as I couldn't bare to contain my excitement.

After the good news in addition to other information told to me, I was then free to go.

As I walked to my car in the parking lot, I dialed Chris to tell him the news.

The call however went directly to voicemail.

He must've turned it off.

Shrugging I dialed the next person I needed to make contact with.

Andrew picked up the phone after the second ring.

"Andrew we still on for today?" I asked as I pressed the car unlock button on my keys.

"Yeah, should I be heading there now?" He asked curiously

"I'm actually just leaving the Doctor's office. If you want to leave now you can, I'll just get there a little later than you" I said as I pulled the door open and sat in the driver's seat.

"Alright, cool. See you soon" he said

"See you there" I said before hanging up the phone.

Starting my car up, I headed home.

"I bought you some water" I said holding out a bottle for Andrew.

He stopped painting as turned to look at me with a smile.

"Oh thanks Celine" he said as he set the paint roller down "you might want to back out of the room, the smell isn't good to inhale"

Handing him the bottle, I stepped back out of the room standing at the doorway. The longer I stood in there the more nauseous it made me.

"The paint smell has always made me nauseous" I laughed "don't know why I thought that would be a good idea, but the wall is looking nice"

"Yeah, I'm almost done" he said as he took a quick glance at his unfinished work.

Scrunching up my nose, I stepped back even further "Okay the smell is traveling and I need to leave, but I'm going to order take out soon"

We had both already agreed on ordering from Vengry. A Vegan restaurant that I would order from at work all the time. I wasn't vegan or anything and neither was Andrew, but their burgers are the bomb dot com.

"Alright" He said chuckling as he opened the water bottle and took a swig from it.

I watched as his adam's apple bobbed up and down—almost in a daze.

After a couple of sips he removed the water bottle from his mouth and looked at me weirdly, "Do I have something on my neck?"

"What? No" I said quickly

"You were staring pretty hard" he said chuckling

"Get back to work Andrew" I said playfully as I walked towards the kitchen.

"Yes ma'am" he said laughing from behind me.

It took about a couple minutes to finish painting the wall and it was looking just how I wanted it to. However, it wasn't done as Andrew would have to add a second coat after it dries.

I gave him two rotating fans that I had and he proceeded to place them in the room in hopes that'd help the wall dry faster.

This oil based paint took about six to eight hours to dry. I was hoping it only took six hours. It was ten-thirty in the morning right now and by four-thirty in the afternoon, I hoped he'd be able to apply the second coat.

"God this burger is heaven" I moaned as I took a bite. My eyes shut as I savored the flavors bursting in my mouth.

As I was chewing, I finally opened my eyes and saw Andrew looking at me trying not to laugh.

"What?" I asked with my mouth full with furrowed brows

"Nothing" he laughed before taking a bite of his burger

"Look whose staring now" I teased playfully

"Well its just-" he said before downing what was in his mouth "you just seem happier. You have that pregnancy glow"

"I mean I have been in a better mood lately, can't complain" I said reaching for my soda cup on the coffee table

He nodded with a smile before asking, "you have a name for him yet?"

"Oh I didn't tell you?" I said surprised "his name is going to be Jalen Zaire"

"I like that" he nodded smiling

"I do too" I laughed lightly "So how's work?" I asked changing the subject

"Just got a new case, but it's small though. Dude fell at Walmart and is suing because they didn't put the wet floor sign out" he laughed

"God I miss work and looking at all those cases" I said laughing with him "once this baby is out I'm giving myself three months and I'm back in business"

"I mean as easy as it sounds to just leave your kid and just head back to work, it actually hard" he said putting his burger down "when my sister had my niece it was the same thing"

"I don't know maybe that was just the case for her. It shouldn't be too difficult" I said shrugging as I took another bite of my burger.

"Yeah, I guess you're right" he said nodding

"Enough about me though. What about you? What have you been up to? Dating anyone?" I asked wiggling my eyebrows up and down playfully

"I've just been working as I said. Also, yes I have been on a few dates, but I don't think she's the one" he said scrunching up his nose

"I say you give her a chance you've been single for as long as I've known you. Why is that?" I asked grabbing my soda to drink from again

"You know why" he said shyly before chuckling

"Andrew-"

"No, it's fine" he said shrugging "I was being unrealistic, especially now"

"But we've work together for so long and you've never spoken up" I said sympathetically

I felt really bad that he had this huge crush on me and now feels like it's too late—that he lost his chance.

"Yeah that's my fault, but you know what everything happens for a reason" he said

Sending him a genuine smile, he smiled right back.

clearing my throat, I looked away from him.

"We should...uh finish this up. I think the paint might be drying up by now" I said as I check my Apple Watch to see it was 4:15 pm.

"You have somewhere to be?" He asked curiously

"Yeah I'm actually heading to my sister's after this" I lied

I felt like I'd had to lie, it'd just be awkward mentioning that I was indeed going to Chris' place after what we just talked about.

"Oh okay, I'll try to finish up quickly"

We continued to eat our food and make small talk after that. With time to spare though, we ended up just chilling and watching The Office episodes on my TV.

By five in the afternoon, the paint had finally dried and Andrew was able to add the second coat of paint with ease.

Not long after he was sent on his way.

"Thank you so much for doing this Andrew" I said appreciatively as he stood outside the front door.

"No problem. You're lucky I have all that skill from working summers at my Dad's home painting business as a kid" he chuckled

"Yeah thank your Dad for me" I laughed as did he

"Well I should be going, see you Celine" he said softly

"See you too Andrew" I said back before closing the front door with a sigh.

Andrew was such a sweet heart, and maybe if circumstances were different I'd actually date him.

Heading back to the living room to grab my phone, it already began to ring

Seeing it was Chris, I immediately answered.

"Hey Celine, I'm sorry for missing your call earlier" Chris said apologetically

"That's fine" I said as I balanced the phone on my cheek and shoulder as I picked up the trash left behind on the coffee table.

"So," he dragged out "what did the Doctor say? Are you safe to travel?"

"She said-" I stopped myself abruptly as I felt like playing with him a little bit.

"She said what?" he asked impatiently.

"She said I can't travel. That's it just not good for the baby" I said trying my hardest to sound sad over the phone as I threw the trash in my hands away.

"Are you serious?" He asked sounding upset

"Yeah, I'm sorry" I said as I continued to play it off

"Damn. That just ruined my whole mood right now" Chris said sucking his teeth

"Oh that's suck cause... I was just kidding" I said nonchalantly trying to hold in my laugh

His side of the line was quite as he processed what I said I'm guessing.

"I hate you so much" he finally said but I could hear the playfulness in his voice

"Aw I'm sorry, I saw an opportunity and I took it" I said trying to sound sympathetic

"So for real, for real, the Doc gave you the clear?" He asked excitedly

"Yes, Chris" I said laughing a little "I could go, but she said she's still gonna check my blood and urine sample to be extra sure. From the looks of it though, everything is good"

"This is the best news" he said through the phone as I leaned against the kitchen counter.

"I'm excited" I said back. Chris' excitement was contagious.

"So you still coming here tonight?" He asked

"Yeah I'm gonna head over there now actually" I said as I pushed off the kitchen counter and heading to get my keys and bag placed on the table by the door.

"Alright, cool. Listen imma take a quick shower and you just call me when you get here" he said as I stepped out the front door

"Okay, bye" I said before hanging up the call.

Entering the lobby of Chris' building I was hit with familiarity. It's been a while since I've been back here and not going to lie I low key miss it sometimes.

Heading to the elevator, I pressed the up button and waiting patiently.

Pulling my phone out I sent a quick text to Chris letting him know I was here and on my way up.

When the elevator pinged open I stepped inside and I pressed the floor number and waited for it to close.

However, before it closed a girl stepped inside and stood on the other end of the elevator.

"Floor number?" I asked her getting a really good look at her face this time.

"Uh...twenty-five please" she said gently

Nodding, I pressed the floor number and the elevator 'close' button to speed up the process.

As the doors shut, I took another glance at her. She was extremely gorgeous and I took notice of the camera around her neck too.

"You're a photographer?" I asked getting her attention

"Oh yes, I am" she said with a smile

"What kind of photography do you do?" I asked curiously

"I do babies, weddings, maternity, graduations, all types of photography" she explained

"Oh really? Because I really need someone to do my maternity shoot" I said to her vibrantly

"I could do it for you, no problem" she said as she dug into her bag and pulled out a card "here's my business card"

"Oh thank you