“Bree hasn’t seen her father in nearly twenty years,” Declan said as he reached out to hold Bree’s hand.
He gave her hand a little squeeze. “She also hasn’t met any grandparents from her fathers’ side. Her dad never talked about them.”
Bree gave him a pensive smile, and she squeezed his hand in thanks.
Dr. Michaels hummed while typing on her computer. “Okay, noted. And you, Declan? Anything we should know about?”
“Healthy as a horse. My family is in good health.” He cleared his throat, thinking of his mother. “Well… my mom died over twenty years ago. Breast cancer.”
Dr. Michaels typed and nodded. “I’m sorry to hear that.”
After a moment she said, “Okay, we’re going to do some fun stuff now. Bree, can you please put on the gown I’ve placed for you on the exam table? Could you please lie down for me? I’ll be back in a sec., We’re going to see your baby for the first time. Are you excited?”
Declan and Bree smiled at each other when they simultaneously said “Yes.” He leaned in and gave her a quick kiss.
Bree stood from her seat and walked over to the exam table.
“I can’t believe we’re going to see our baby,” he said.
“I know. I can’t wait.”
Bree made quick work at removing her clothes, and his eyes zeroed in on her stomach. Declan eyed her flat tummy and wondered about the size of their baby right now.
He picked up the hospital gown so she could step into it. He closed the gown, and she looked over her shoulder.
“Thanks. I’m glad you’re here with me. I’m so nervous. I hope everything is alright.”
Declan swallowed the lump in his throat. He nodded. “Yeah. I know. I can’t wait to see the baby. To have it all checked out and to know this is really happening.”
She placed her hand on his cheek and leaned in to kiss him. “It’s going to be alright.”
“That’s my line.”
She giggled, and Declan helped her up on the exam table.
“Thanks, guys,” Dr. Michaels said as she walked back into her office.
“Okay, so Bree already knows this from listening to the heartbeat on an earlier appointment, but I have to warn you, Declan. It can take a few moments to find the baby.”
He grabbed Bree’s hand, and she yelped, “Ouch!”
“Oh, sorry…” He kissed the back of her hand.
Bree and Dr. Michaels shared another look while they figured he didn’t notice. Or they didn’t care, anyway. Dr. Michaels exposed Bree’s lower region.
“The heartbeat is about 170 beats per minute, but from here on out this will slow.”
Dr. Michaels squirted gel on Bree’s stomach, and Bree squeezed Dec’s hand.
“Oh, sorry, it’s a bit cold,” Dr. Michaels said.
“It’s okay,” Bree said.
The doctor placed an ultrasound device on Bree’s stomach and gently slid her way over Bree’s slippery skin.
“Ah, found it!” Dr. Michaels said right after they heard the first ba-dum, ba-dum, ba-dum.
Hearing the beating heart of their child thickened Declan’s throat. He watched the dark screen hanging on the wall. It was all grey spots and white specks.