“Hey, it’s your baby and your body. You’re allowed to worry,” Valerie insists.
“She’s right. But once we’re done at the appointment, we’ll have answers.”
I pat Sophie’s thigh and her hand wraps around mine. “You’re right. Thank you, Hold. Thanks, Valerie.”
“This is doingmea favor too. Chase and Hunter are so busy right now and Lief is trying to keep me out of the loop.”
“You did tell them you were coming here, right?” I ask, meeting her eyes in the rearview mirror.
“Of course I did. I don’t just run off from my husbands.” She wipes that fear away.
When we get to the doctor, Sophie’s taken right back. Valerie and I go back with her and it’s not my first baby check, but I’m still wowed by all the tools and craziness that go into checking on the baby.
“Well, we should know how old the little thing is unless you have an idea.”
“I don’t and I’m spotting and worried so ...” Sophie trails off and reaches for me.
I give her my hand happily, squeezing it as the doctor uses some magic wand-type thing to go over her belly. She jumps and I feel my hand tighten. I’m ready to deal with this doctor if she’s hurting my wife.
“It’s cold,” Sophie says, eyes on me.
But Valerie smirks at me. “No wonder you and my men got along.”
I see a full baby on the screen, or it looks like a full baby once it’s pointed out to me. Sophie gapes. “Jeeze. How far along am I?”
“I’d say about 22 or 23 weeks.” The doctor says.
“Wow,” I murmur.
“That ... oh.” Sophie swallows. “How didn’t I know?”
“It’s not your first pregnancy, you know that there are plenty of ways for it to be a secret.” The doctor smiles as she rolls back. “You have what looks like a healthy baby.”
“But I’m spotting ... more than I think is normal. Is there any way to make sure my baby is okay?”
The doctor glances at me. It’s not our first time seeing her. She knows the situation. “We can do a blood test.”
“Yes, please. Anything to make sure the baby is okay.”
Valerie and I are cleared out of the room and I pace restlessly. I don’t know how long it will take to get the answers that Sophie needs. I turn and start the track back when Valerie catches my hand.
“Hold, she’s okay and you’re making me dizzy.”
“Are you pregnant too?”
“Not yet. We’re taking our time to explore that idea.” She shrugs. “Holden, Sophie is strong. She’s strong enough to keep you four satisfied, to live her life, and to take care of two kids. She can handle this. Trust me.”
I take a few deep breaths and pat Valerie’s shoulder. “Thanks. You’re right.”
Sophie comes out a few minutes later and I cross the room to her, cupping her face between my hands. “What’s going on, baby?”
“Well, I’m almost six months pregnant, the baby is healthy as far as we can tell and the blood test will take until the end of the week.” She strokes over my fingers as her eyes shut. “I’m okay. The baby’s okay.”
I kiss Sophie’s forehead. “You’re pure magic, Soph.”
She softens into my touch and rubs up my arms. “I’m so ready to go home.”
“We have to make another stop.” I glance at Valerie.