Page 67 of Love Her

The curtain blocking us from the door slides open and a doctor bustles in with a big smile on her face. Tapping a few things on her tablet, she holds the device to her chest as she speaks. “Mrs. Strauss, congratulations! You’re pregnant.”

“I took a test this morning.”

Looking down at Ashton’s hand, I see it shaking nervously so I grip it again and give it a squeeze of reassurance.

“It appears you were a little dehydrated. I’d like to perform an ultrasound just to make sure everything looks okay. I’d recommend you see your primary care physician or obstetrician in the next few days.”

“Thank you, I will.”

Excusing herself, the doctor leaves us alone. Resting her head back, Ashton doesn’t speak, but she also doesn’t move her hand from mine. We sit silently, the hum of the television the only sound until Ashton yelps.

Following her gaze to the television, I can’t believe what I’m seeing. Quickly, she reaches for the remote control and turns up the volume.

“Police have released the name of the suspect involved in the high speed chase earlier today. Michael Thorne of Dallas led officers in a pursuit that reached speeds of over one hundred miles an hour. Sources confirm a warrant for Mr. Thorne’s arrest was issued earlier this month and police have been searching for him. Once a highly respected financial advisor, Mr. Thorne is facing multiple charges of embezzlement, theft, and tax evasion. More details tonight at eleven.”

The newscaster may as well be speaking three different languages because her words are not registering. If the picture on the screen wasn’t my ex-husband being cuffed while lying face down in the middle of the street, I wouldn’t believe it. No wonder he needed money. The bastard was probably going to run.

“Wow. That was—”

“Yeah. I am so confused and yet, not really. He’s such a bastard none of that surprises me.”

Ashton and I sit in silence for a few minutes, stunned at what we just watched on the television when the nurse and doctor return to the room wheeling an ultrasound machine. Rising from the chair, I begin to excuse myself when Ashton grips my forearm. For such a petite person, her grip is quite fierce.

“Where are you going?”

“To give you privacy.”

“No way. You have to stay. I can’t be . . .”

Alone. She doesn’t want to be alone. My heart aches for her and the worry written all over her face. Nodding, I resume my seat and take Ashton’s hand again, this time sandwiching it between my own.

As the doctor talks through the process, explaining to Ashton what she’s doing, I close my eyes and say a prayer that everything is okay. With my eyes closed, replaying the words in my head, I’m relieved when the room fills with a whooshing sound.

A sound that is drowned out by a man’s voice asking, “Uh . . . is this the Twilight Zone?”

Jameson stands with his eyes wide and his mouth shaped in an “O” as his eyes jump from me to Ashton then to our hands and finally resting on the screen. Blinking rapidly, I watch as the realization of what is happening hits him. Standing, I step out of the way and let him take the spot next to his wife. Tears stream down both their faces as he places a hand on her flat stomach and kisses her lips.

Wiping the wetness from my face, a sense of longing tugs at my heart. This is what I want. Undeniable love and affection from a man. A connection with another person. A family.

Quietly, I grab my purse from the counter and slip out of the room. Walking slowly down the hall, I’m stopped in my tracks by Jameson’s voice. Turning, I almost fall over when he wraps me in his arms. My hands flail at my side before I pat him on the back awkwardly.

“Thank you for taking care of them.”

Swallowing a lump of emotion resting in my throat, I simply nod and step out of his hold. “No problem. Go be with your wife. Tell her I said goodbye.”

“Umm . . . So does this mean a cease fire between you two?”

His disbelief makes me smile and the sadness I was feeling is pushed to the side. “Yeah, I think it does.”

Jameson squeezes my shoulder and turns on his heel, leaving me alone in the hallway. Feeling lighter than I did this morning, I walk out to my car. Pulling my keys from my purse, my phone begins to ring.

“Hi, Mom.”

“Where are you?” Her voice is frantic which has me pausing in fear. The kids. My dad.

“Just leaving the hospital. What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know if I should tell you over the phone. I don’t want you angry while you’re driving.”

---