“Whatever gets him sitting still, right?”
“Right.”
I can practically hear Gabe rolling his eyes, and though it feels a little weird flirting with our son’s pediatrician in front of my ex-husband, I’m kind of pissed at Gabe’s caveman behavior. Yes, things will always be complicated between us, but we have to move on some time. I’d like for us to be able to be there for each other through this process and not be clit-blocked at every turn. Besides, I’d like to be fucked sometime this century. I’m single, I’m young, I’d like to have sex again before things start heading even farther south.
The doctor puts the stethoscope in his ears and gently lifts Axl’s shirt, pressing the cold bell to Axl’s chest. My child squeals and wriggles in my lap.
“Sorry, Axl. I know that’s a little cold.”
“You’re okay, aren’t you, buddy?” I soothe, pressing a kiss into his soft curls.
“Boom, boom, boom.”
“That’s right, boom, boom, boom,” Harrison says. “Your heart sounds healthy and strong. I bet you eat all your veggies, right?”
“No beggies.”
I laugh. “He’s not a fan of green.”
“Most kids aren’t. The good news is that they grow out of it.” Dr. Hottie smiles as he moves the bell around my son’s chest and listens. “Can you take a deep breath in and out for me, Axl?”
My toddler ignores the directive and reaches out for the stethoscope.
“Oh, you want to listen?”
He nods and smiles as Harrison gets the stethoscope set up and then gently holds the earpiece in Axl’s ears. “Boom, boom, boom.”
“You hear that? It’s strong, right?”
“Boom, boom!”
I laugh.
“You gotta keep eating your veggies to get big and strong like Daddy, buddy.”
“Daddy!” Axl points to Gabe. “Boom, boom.”
“You want Daddy to listen?”
“Daddy, yisten.”
Gabe complies, getting up out of his seat and heading toward us, and we each take turns in listening to Axl’s heartbeat, then he insists we listen to one another’s. It wouldn’t be so awkward if it were just the good doctor and me here, but when Gabe is made to listen to my heart, he turns on all that innate Southern charm and his lips tip up in a crooked smile that still makes my heart skip a beat. His tongue darts out to wet his lip as he nestles the bell between my breasts, and slides it over my heart.
His eyes meet mine, and I get lost in that beautiful sage green that I’ve studied for years. Jesus. No matter how many yearspass, no matter how resolute my feelings, he just has a way of undoing the fabric of my soul with a single look.
Harrison clears his throat, and I’m ashamed to admit, I forgot he or Axl were even here. “Right then, let’s take a quick look at Axl’s ears, eyes, and abdomen and we’ll be good here.”
“Of course,” I say, feeling a blush steal over my cheeks. “You gotta lay down now and stay really still for the doctor. Okay, baby?”
“Mommy lay down too.”
“No. Just Axl. But Dr. Sokolov will be really quick. I promise.” I stand and set Axl down on the bed, gently coaxing him to lie back on the soft pillow.
“Scout’s honor,” Harrison says. He gently lowers the waistband of Axl’s pants and after a little poking and prodding, he helps Axl to sit up before checking his ears, eyes, and throat.
“Well, little man,” Harrison says. “I think everything here looks great. You just keep eating your veggies, and I’ll see you in another few months at your next checkup.”
“No dotor, no dotor.” He squirms to the edge of the bed and holds his arms out for his daddy. Gabe scoops him up and tickles his tummy.