August 5
We were at the hospital for my sixth month check up. Everyone was excited to know the gender of our baby. Mama Credence even called me and asked about my plan regarding our baby’s gender reveal party. I did not know that it was necessary for us to have it. And I did not want to invite any of my friends because a lot of them did not know that I got married.
I also did not tell anyone that my husband was a former F1 driver. Mama Credence also called Dr. Delgado and requested her to tell the party organizer the gender of our baby. I was dying to know but we all needed to wait until the party.
“We will do this on Sunday, Emma,” Mama Credence said over the phone.
“They only have one day to prepare? It’s Friday today,” I asked her, doubtfully.
“Don’t worry darling,” she reassured me, “We’ll take care of the extra cost, just go to the event’s place and enjoy the party, okay?”
“Okay, mama,” I responded to Mama Credence, then I stared at the people who stood in line at the pharmacy.
“Do you have time to drop by at the studio? I spoke with Roberto and I asked him if he could make something special for you this Sunday. A sleeveless dress perhaps?”
“Oh?” I was surprised by this, “I will tell Bram that we need to drop by.”
“Great!” Mama Credence said on the other line, “See you on Sunday, dear.” Then she hung up.
I stared at the phone for a moment. I was asking myself if that really happened? A rushed gender reveal party? I opened my messenger and started to type a message for mom but someone called me. I looked up and saw George.
“Hi!” I greeted him. I placed my phone inside my handbag.
“We did not see you here last month?” George told me.
“Oh, I had an emergency check up so I came on July 1 instead of 5,” I explained to George.
“Why? What happened?” George asked with a frown.
“I got dizzy and I…” I was not able to finish because someone else called my name. I turned to my right and saw Bram. He was no longer wearing his walking boots. Jonas was carrying the boot for him.
“I’ll see you again, Emma,” George said to me as he walked away from us.
“Okay,” I responded and waved at him.
“Why is he always talking to you?” Bram asked. He was scowling at me.
I rolled my eyes at him and shook my head. I decided to change the subject, “We need to drop-by at the studio. Mama Credence ordered something for me.”
Bram’s scowl deepened, “What is it?”
I sighed, “It’s a dress for our gender reveal party.”
Sunday
Roberto was able to make a powder blue chiffon halter dress for me. It was mid-thigh in length which exposed my lower leg. I paired it with a white intricately designed sandal made by the studio’s shoe shop partner. Bram was wearing a baby pink Polo shirt, white walking shorts and sneakers. The videographer took a video of us while Jonas and Bram were assisting me out of the Land Cruiser. When we got inside the air conditioned event hall, the guests were wearing different shades of pink and blue clothes.
I met a lot of unfamiliar faces from Bram’s family. Some of them looked like foreigners, maybe because of the Rivera clan’s Spanish heritage. But they said that they all grew up here in the Philippines. The new COO was also present and some of the senior officers of RGC. I excused myself and Chantal brought me to the room where Mama Credence was waiting.
“Come here dear,” Mama Credence motioned me to the long sofa in the room, “You need to rest, where’s Bram?”
I sat down and massaged my lower back, “He’s greeting the guest.”
“Are you, okay?” Mama Credence asked me. Then she held my left arm, “Take it easy, dear.”
Chantal was watching my every move while she stood by the door. I took a deep breath and requested for water. The door opened and Bram went inside.
“Why did you allow my mum to handle the guest list?” Bram asked while he walked towards me. He squatted in front of me so we could see eye level. Then he held my baby bump like he was holding a ball.
“That’s just a small number of people, dear,” Mama Credence answered Bram.
“Well, it feels like everyone from the office is here,” Bram commented.
Mama Credence shook her head, “Wait until your wedding day. We need to invite everyone when that day comes.”
Bram kissed my baby bump, “I don’t think Emma would want a big wedding?” Bram directed the question to me. Then they both looked at me.
I hid my surprise with a smile, “I prefer a private beach wedding.” I answered them, nervously.
Bram nodded, “See? Some of these people just met Emma today.”
We glanced at the door when we heard a knock. The party organizer’s head popped in, “Hi! We can start the party now.”
They decorated the place in a way that the tables formed like an arc. Then at the front center was a mini stage. There was a hanging yellow bell on top of us at the front. Bram and I were holding a ribbon each that was connected to the bell. The host said that everyone would do a countdown and we needed to pull the ribbon to reveal the gender of our baby. Bram and I were like kids smiling at each other while we looked at the bell. Everyone gathered at the front with their cameras and cellphones.
When the countdown turned to one, Bram and I pulled the string. Different shades of blue confetti fell down on us. I covered my hands to my mouth because we were having a baby boy. Then everyone gave us a round of applause. Bram hugged me and kissed my head.
“We nailed it, didn’t we?” Bram whispered to my ears.
I elbowed him lightly when I saw the naughty smile on his face, “People might hear you.” I told him. Bram just grinned at me and kissed me on the lips.
After two hours of fun and laughter, Bram and I said our goodbyes to Aunt Calla, Mama Credence, my mom and Roland. Behind us was Chantal, Jonas, and Maria, they were loading all the gifts to Ruby.
“Congratulations dear,” Mama Credence said while she kissed my cheeks, “The Rivera name carries on.” I answered her with a small smile. Then we watched her get inside her white Mercedes.
“I missed you dear,” Aunt Calla told me when I kissed her goodbye, “I hope we can meet sometime?” she added.
I just answered her with a nod because I saw Bram’s facial expression. He was scowling at his aunt. After what Brandon’s girlfriend did to Bram at the Clark Speedway, Bram prevented me from seeing Aunt Calla again.
My mom hugged me, “Be careful and take it easy. You are near your last trimester.”
I nodded at her, “Yes, mom.”
Bram watched like a hawk when Roland hugged me, “I would love to play with little Bram when he comes out.” Roland said.
“Of course!” I answered him with a smile. Then he and Bram did a fist bump.
When we were inside the Land Cruiser Bram massaged his lower leg, “Is something wrong?” I asked him.
“I’m fine,” then he grinned at me, “I can’t wait to drive my MX-5 again.”
My eyes widened, “Take it easy, we need to consult your therapist for that.”
“Do you want to see her? They are repainting her today,” Bram said excitedly. Then he handed me his phone so I could see the pictures. The MX-5 looked like new with its shiny blue paint. The damages from the accident were gone.
“Are you sure you’ll name her Lara? She does not look like a Lara to me.” I commented. The MX-5 looked so sleek to me. I was never this sleek! I returned the phone to Bram and he was staring at me tenderly, “What?” I asked.
“She’s the most beautiful Lara to me,” Bram said while gazing at me.
I raised my eyebrows at him, “Are you referring to the MX-5 or me?”
“What do you think?” Bram asked with a straight face.
I rolled my eyes at him then he boomed with laughter.