Page 28 of Ready or Not

“I can’t wait to see her on the screen.” He nuzzles his cheek to mine, marking me thoroughly with his pheromones. It helps settle my over-anxious system.

The loud, echoing knock on the door makes me jump.

Bishop steps back, calling for them to come in. He gives me a reassuring smile and leans in for a quick kiss.

Dr. Garza looks extremely pale upon entering the room.

Holt, Mercy, and Cooper follow him in.

I’m guessing the doctor just learned that I’m carrying his niece. He steps over to the machine, getting it up and running. Holt grabs his phone the same way he did during our first visit.

“Okay, let’s make sure I was correct,” Dr. Garza says, spinning to face me. “Lots of movements since last night?”

I nod. “At least a normal amount. She was wiggling around on the ride over.”

“Good. Okay, so, lie back for me and we’ll get started.”

The ultrasound goes well, and Aurora is head down.

“You’ve got a good amount of amniotic fluid left for this stage. Truthfully, everything looks great.” Dr. Garza wipes the gel from my stomach and places the wand back in the machine. “I was hopeful I would be able to grab your cervical length with the abdominal ultrasound. Unfortunately, I couldn’t collect a clear measurement.”

My head tilts. I don’t know what that means.

“I was going to check you, since you’re technically considered high risk for preterm labor. Did Sylvia happen to check you during your last visit?” He pauses. “Dr. Sanderson.”

“No.” My head shakes. “She didn’t do a physical exam.”

Dr. Garza looks at Cooper and then back at me. “Okay, so I can check you. Or if you’d prefer to wait, you can have Dr. Sanderson check you on Friday. It used to be routine to check the cervix, starting at thirty-six weeks. Generally, we don’t do that now until thirty-nine weeks unless the patient asks or has symptoms, but the exception to that is in high-risk pregnancies.”

“Oh, well…” I frown, looking at Cooper.

It’s his brother.

I don’t know the guy.

He’s just my doctor.

“If your cervix is open, then we’ll put you on bed rest, no sexual contact, things of that nature to help you gestate as long as possible,” Dr. Garza says to clarify. “We’d like to get you to thirty-seven weeks, if possible, but truthfully, you’re at that stage where babies can come at any time.”

Cooper nods. “It’s a medical thing. I’ve got no objections.”

My cheeks feel hot, but I do my best to ignore how bizarre my life has become.

“Come on.” Holt nods to the door. “We’ll clear out.”

“Would it be okay if one of us stays?” Mercy asks.

“Yes,” I answer before I realize he’s likely talking to the doctor. “You can stay with me.”

Mercy gives a bright smile.

“Should I stay?” Cooper asks.

“I’ve got this,” Mercy informs him, stepping to my side. Bishop, Holt, and Cooper funnel out as Dr. Garza steps over to grab gloves and other stuff. “Seeing her on the screen was deeply moving. I’m still in awe that we were able to count out her toes.” Mercy leans close, pecking a quick kiss on my lips.

“Yeah,” I agree around the lump in my throat. “Last time, I barely got to see anything, but this was incredible.”

“Perks of being related to the doctor.” Dr. Garza’s face twists into a grimace, but he moves to pull the stirrups up on the exam table.

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