She relaxed. “I’m good. I’ve been tired, but that seems to be normal. Two weeks ago I saw a doctor in a town we were visiting for spotting. He said that it was normal and not to worry unless it happened again.”
Doctor Chase made a few notes. “Has it?”
“No. Everything seems normal. I’m taking my prenatal vitamins and folic acid.”
“Perfect.” The doctor flipped through all the paperwork Maren filled out. “Everything looks good on your charts you provided. Let’s hear the heartbeat and check out everything. Are you ready?”
Emphatically, Maren answered, “Yes! I’ve been waiting for this appointment anxiously.”
Maren gave me a glorious smile. The doctor instructed Maren to lean back. I stayed near Maren’s head and held her hand. The doctor checked Maren’s cervix. Yeah, there was no way I could have survived this with a man. Withdrawing, the doctor took off her gloves. “Everything seems right on track for seven weeks. Let’s listen to the baby.”
My heart caught in my throat as I waited to hear the sound of another life I’d been part of creating. A little goo was added to Maren’s stomach. A little microphone-type thing was held to her stomach. After a few different positions, a whooshing sound came through the little speakers. “That’s the heartbeat.”
That was my baby. My baby was alive. My baby was real. I hadn’t let myself fully embrace it all. I wanted a life with Maren and this child more than anything.
Tears formed in Maren’s eyes as she looked at me. “That’s our baby. We created this, Bane.”
“I know, angel. It’s perfect.”
The doctor positioned it again and again. A frown forming on her forehead. I went on high alert, but tried to stay outwardly calm as Maren turned toward the speakers, listening to the thrumming sound of the heart. The doctor spoke. “I want to do an ultra sound. Let me go check with the nurse to get you squeezed in while you get dressed.”
“What’s wrong, Doctor Chase?” Maren caught on to the doctor’s tone.
Doctor Chase gave Maren a comforting smile. “There’s nothing wrong. I’m picking up an echo on the heart and want a better look.”
My heart plummeted. I knew this was too good to be true. There was something wrong. Maren’s lip quivered after the doctor left. I had to be strong for her. “Angel, let’s wait to see what the doctor has to say. She wants to check it out. Let’s get dressed.”
She nodded and I helped her back into her clothes. The doctor popped back in the room. “The nurse is able to fit you in if you’re ready.”
Grabbing her purse, I followed Maren o
ut. She rubbed her stomach and I saw her lips moving, no doubt talking to the baby. It hit me, this was my moment. I put my hand on Maren’s shoulder stopping her. “Doctor, I need a second if you don’t mind.”
The doctor glanced back at me. “Is something wrong?”
Was something wrong? Yes, there was something potentially wrong. I tried to have faith, but it was hard as the name connected me straight to the memory of my child who hadn’t made it.
“I need to speak to Kendra for a minute. It’ll be quick.” I’d nearly slipped and said Maren’s name.
The doctor opened up a door on the side, revealing another exam room. I brought Maren in and closed the door to give us privacy. “Bane, what are you doing?”
“I need to tell you this one thing before we go in there.”
“What?” I could tell Maren was aggravated and wanted to get the ultra sound.
This was my moment. I grabbed her shoulders making sure I had her full attention. “Maren, regardless of what the doctor says or finds I want you—all of you. This isn’t because of the baby. I need you to know whatever they tell us, I’m not letting you go. I was a fool for trying to keep you away the last day at the cabin.”
Maren cried and grabbed onto me. “I don’t ever want you to let me go.”
My heart burst as I finally got the girl I wanted. I was never letting her go regardless of what happened.
A light knocked rapped on the door. “Mrs. Childers, we’ll lose the spot if we don’t go now to the ultra sound room.”
Maren sniffled. “We’re coming.”
I grabbed her hand and gave her a quick kiss. “Whatever happens, we’ll face it together.”
Walking out of the room, the doctor gave me a quizzical look at Maren’s tears. She handed her a tissue. The doctor kept a pleasant smile on her face. Maren needed to understand I was all in.