7
SKY
The only timeI’ve seen pregnancy scans is on TV shows, so I’m unsure what to expect, and I’m quietly nervous. What if there isn’t a baby, and I’m imagining everything? My suspicions, and the pregnancy test, were right. The scan shows I’m eight weeks pregnant. I stare at the grainy black and white image confused exactly what I’m looking at and back to the joy on Dylan’s face. The happy reality creeps further in, and with it the incredible feeling I’m having a baby with the man holding my hand with tears in his eyes.
When we leave the obstetrician, I insist Dylan promises not to say anything to any of our friends yet, and explain why I want to wait until the first trimester is over like many couples do. I’d love to hide this for even longer, but the idea’s impossible. The world watches my waistline more closely than I do. Dylan grumbles something about not wanting to wait four weeks to share his news, as expected, but his mood shifts back to excitement in the time it takes to return to the car.
Back at the apartment, I clutch the printed image of the scan and doze on the bed while Dylan heads out. An hour later, he returns and the baby has his or her first cuddly toy. I attempt not to giggle at the rock star walking into the house with a plush white rabbit.
“What’s funny?” he asks, mouth tipping at one corner as he shares my amusement.
“You’re what’s funny.” I take the toy and play with the soft ears. “I like your cute new friend.”
“Huh.” Dylan grabs the rabbit and smacks me over the head with it. “I think it’s perfect. Any bigger and the toy might scare her.”
Dylan jumps onto the bed and places the rabbit between us as he lies next to me.
“Her?”
“Or him. We should think names. And which room she, or he, will sleep in.” He pauses. “Have you thought about names?”
“Not really. Please don’t tell me any until I’ve some ideas too and we can fight about it together.”
“Phoenix?”
“I bloody hope you’re joking!” Dylan fights a smile and I purse my lips. “Ha ha.”
“Nah, no ideas really. Come here.” Dylan pulls me in for a hug. “You feeling okay?”
“Better this afternoon.”
“Good.” He kisses my nose. “Are we staying tonight or do you want to head back to the other house?”
I chew my lip. “Back, I think.” Back behind security gates, where we could spot unwanted visitors before they manage to get closer and leave surprises.
“Are you worried about the card from Lily?”
Bloody mind reader.“No,” I lie.
“Tomorrow, when I meet up with Steve and the band, I’ll have a quiet word with him.” He takes the scan picture from me and studies it. “You heading to Tara’s next weekend still?You’renot allowed to tell either, you know.”
“I am, and yes, I know and won’t tell her.”
“How is she?”
“A lot better but Tara always exaggerates how much better. I’ll see for myself next week.”
Dylan carefully places the photo on the bedside table. “That’s gonna be weird.”
“What is?”
“You and me apart for a couple of days. First time in months.”
“I’m only a couple of hours away, and you’re busy with meetings next week too. Real world, Dylan.”
He pouts. “Yeah, I know, but my bed will be empty.”
I push the rabbit into his hands. “Here. You’ll be fine. You can sleep with your new friend.”