Page 15 of Her Baby His Gift

She laid on her back as instructed, and Dr. Jones positioned her gown so that her belly was exposed. It was still pretty flat, which made it hard to believe that she was even pregnant.

Carter and Harlem watched intently as he squirted a clear jelly-like substance from a bottle onto her stomach. “Does that hurt?” Carter asked.

“No, and the gel is heated. Back in the day, this was cold.” He chuckled. “Women wanted to physically assault me because of it, so I’m glad for the improvement.” Dr. Jones tried a little humor to lighten the mood in the room. It was thick with tension.

It didn’t work.

Harlem had gone completely silent. Carter could see the rapid rise and fall of her chest. She was freaking out. There was real fear in her eyes. He captured one of her hands in his and squeezed her hand to reassure her.

“Okay. Here we go.” Dr. Jones placed the little microphone onto her stomach. He glided it over the jelly back and forth several times, and then all of a sudden, there it was–the rapid heartbeat of a baby. It was a powerful sound when it came through the speakers.

Harlem blinked several times. Suddenly, something within her clicked. It was the moment that her pregnancy became more than just an idea. She realized a little human was growing inside of her body.

“That’s . . . the baby?” Hearing the heartbeat for the first time was surreal.

Dr. Jones beamed. “Yes. That is your baby.”

Carter was feeling something, but he doubted it was the same as Harlem. She had genuine wonder written all over her face. He, on the other hand, felt a little nauseous.

Dr. Jones continued to monitor the sound for a few more moments and took some notes. He finished up and began to wipe the goop off of her. “You’re right on schedule, Harlem. Everything sounds good. Do you have any questions for me?”

She whispered. “Nothing that immediately comes to mind.”

Rarely had Carter seen Harlem rendered speechless, but he could see it in her face. She was processing the miracle of motherhood.

“Okay. If neither of you has any questions, I’ll see you back here in a month.” Dr. Jones shook both their hands again and left the room.

Carter was filled with both amazement and confusion. “I was not expecting that.”

A small grin spread wide across her face. “Neither was I.” Her hidden thoughts of terminating the pregnancy vanished–she could never. Harlem sat up and threw her legs over the bed. “Carter?”

He helped her down. “Yeah?”

She looked up into his eyes. Her own twinkled. “I’m going to be a mother.”

He nodded in agreement. “It would seem so.”

Harlem wasn’t sure her feet were actually touching the ground as she walked into the bathroom. Carter watched her leave. Once she was out of earshot, he heard his own voice echoing the same sentiment with a lot less enthusiasm. “I guess that means I’m going to be a father.”

*****

Carter and Harlem walked side-by-side to her car. Nervously, he rubbed the back of his neck. They needed to at least try to bond given this situation. Now was a good a time as any. “It’s still early. You want to go grab some breakfast?”

If Harlem were honest, she was starving. She’d only eaten a banana before coming to her doctor’s appointment. She was still floating in the clouds and wondered if Carter felt the same way. He was obviously offering the olive branch. If they were going to be on this journey together, she might as well make the best of it. “Sure. I could eat something.”

Carter was relieved Harlem was up to playing nice. “There’s a place called Benny’s around the corner. They have great food. Follow me in your car, and I’ll meet you there.”

Harlem did as asked. Moments later, they were sitting in a booth waiting for their server and looking over the menu.

“How do you feel?” Carter asked.

She glanced up above the menu to look into his eyes. “I was just about to ask you that.”

“Not like I thought I would.”

Harlem’s head tilted slightly. “How did you think you would?”

He shrugged. “I don’t know. I didn’t know what to expect today. I was here . . .”

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