The doctor looks back at me. “This will help me measure the baby and make sure that everything is looking healthy in your womb.”
Well shit. This just got serious.
“Okay,” I nod, knowing there's no need to be nervous but feeling it anyway.
The doctor doesn’t hesitate and pushes the ultrasound wand inside of me and I can't help the slight gasp that comes bubbling out of me. “Geez,” Eli grumbles. “You didn’t sound that excited when it was me going in there.”
I squeeze his hand as tight as humanly possible, knowing damn well that it’s got to hurt. “Shut up, otherwise I'm going to take the damn thing and shove it up your ass so you know exactly what it feels like.”
“Noted,” he says. “Shutting up now.”
The doctor grunts as a sign telling us to shut the fuck up and concentrate on what’s going on. He moves the wand around and just as he promised, I feel pressure but nothing uncomfortable.
I see the small little blob on the monitor and assume that’s the baby, then get a little more certain when the doctor starts taking measurements.
Holy shit. That's my baby. That's a miniature version of Colton inside of me and for some reason, just a bit of the fear begins to fall away. This is real. It's actually happening and it’s time that I get on board and make sure this baby has every chance possible to grow healthy and strong, just like his or her daddy.
It takes a little while but eventually, the doctor pulls the wand out of me and asks Eli to leave the room to give me a chance to get dressed.
I’m going to be a mommy.
Fuck. I’m going to be someone’s mother.
I’m only seventeen. This is insane. I didn’t even picture myself having kids at thirty.
They both walk out and I jump down from the table to make myself decent again, having to clean myself up. I pull my pants back on and then take a seat, calling Eli and letting him know that I'm good for him to come back.
He does just that and explains that the doctor had gone to print out my results. A nervous silence falls through the room as we wait for the doctor to come back. Every few minutes Eli softly murmurs that I’m going to be okay, and even goes as far as offering to be my baby daddy if Colton was to run.
The doctor shows his face again and I take a deep breath. It’s time to get this over and done with so I can go home and work out how I’m going to break the news to Colton.
“Alright,” he says, handing me a small picture of the baby, one that I still struggle to make out. “Everything looked really good. Your baby is developing just as expected for seven weeks.”
Seven weeks?
Eli grins beside me, proud of the news while the doctor continues. “I’m going to need to see you regularly throughout your pregnancy, so on your way out, make sure to book another appointment for next month to check your progress.”
My mouth hangs open as I nod.
“Do you have any questions?”
I just stare at him.
Seven weeks.
“Okaaay,” Eli says slowly, taking my hand and trying to pull me up. “Let’s get out of here so you can go home and tell Carrington the good news.”
I gape at Eli, still struggling to understand what the doctor just told me as I mentally do the math. Seven weeks ago, Colton and I had nearly slept together, but we didn’t. We were interrupted when his father was found dead on his office desk. We were so close, but that only leaves one option, an option that I just can’t fathom.
“Seven weeks,” I breathe. “Colton and I haven’t been screwing for seven weeks.”
Realization dawns on his face. “What are you saying, Ocean?”
I swallow hard, beginning to panic. “Seven weeks ago was the masquerade party. The night that Jude …”
Realization dawns on his face and he instantly begins shaking his head. “No, it couldn’t be his. I was told he didn’t finish. The bastard didn’t fucking come in you. Your fucking rapist isn’t the father of this baby.” Eli shifts his gaze around to the doctor who sits there with his brows raised. “Is it possible? Could she be pregnant to a guy who didn't finish?”
The doctor presses his lips into a hard line, sensing this is a hard topic. “Yes, unfortunately, it’s possible. There is a slim chance that a woman can get pregnant when pre-ejaculation occurs. I’ve seen it happen many times.”
I shake my head, looking to Eli in panic. “I can’t … I can’t have Jude’s baby.”
“I know,” Eli says, pulling me up beside him and holding me close. “It’s okay. We’re going to figure this out. You’ll be okay.”