Page 50 of Hidden By His Side

“He’s just… a friend,” Summer finished, pulling her hand out from under his to rest it on her thigh.

The doctor cleared her throat. “Well, it’s true that ultrasounds are usually performed around the eleven-week mark, but a dating ultrasound can be recommended when the due date is uncertain. Is that something you’d like?”

Summer’s fingers dug into her thigh. “I’m not sure.”

“Knowing how far along you are will help you determine how much time you have to make a decision,” Dr. Balanky said gently.

“Okay,” Summer said, the word barely louder than an exhaled breath.

“Just to set expectations a little, if you’re not very far along, the ultrasound might not be very clear. It’s perfectly normal not to hear a heartbeat this early. That’s more likely when you’re around ten to twelve weeks, though not impossible earlier. If you don’t hear it, that doesn’t mean anything is wrong.”

Summer nodded. She looked way too remote. It was as if she wasn’t even in the room. Ramiro wanted to grab her hand again and squeeze it, but he didn’t.

“Before I send in the sonographer, do you have any questions for me?” the doctor asked.

“Will I have to get undressed again?” Summer asked.

Dr. Balanky shook her head. “They can do it with your normal clothes on, with a little rearranging. I know those paper robes can be drafty.” She waited, but Summer didn’t ask anything else.

Ramiro cleared his throat. “Did she mention passing out on the bathroom floor a few days ago?”

Summer tensed.

“No,” the doctor said, studying Summer for a beat before looking at him. “That can be scary, but it isn’t uncommon. Lightheadedness can occur in the early stages of pregnancy and is usually a sign of low blood pressure. Her blood pressure looked great today. Did it only occur once?”

“Twice,” Summer murmured. “It’s what made me take the test, after I searched online.”

She’d mentioned it had happened before, but the thought of her passed out on the bathroom floor without him there made Ramiro’s insides crawl all over again.

“Well, it’s good to monitor it, and if feeling dizzy, find a way to sit, even if it’s on the ground. The feeling should pass, but if it persists, we can do some additional tests.”

“Is there anything we can do to help with the morning sickness?” Ramiro asked. “The things I read online mentioned medicine?”

“It’s not that bad,” Summer said. The way her fingers dug into her thigh looked painful.

Ramiro grabbed her hand, enveloping it in his. Her skin felt cold.

“Every pregnancy is a little different. Morning sickness can occur only in the first trimester or linger throughout the pregnancy. If you end up finding it difficult, some people have luck with medication, but that’s for extreme cases, where the sickness is constant. Is that what you’re experiencing?”

“No,” Summer murmured.

The doctor waited a beat, then continued when no other words followed. “Well, I recommend eating a banana in the morning, since the potassium can help. There’s also saltines and dry toast. It’s always better to have something in your stomach, even something light, over nothing at all.”

Ramiro hadn’t seen bananas show up in his research. He’d have some delivered.

“Anything else I can help answer?” the doctor asked, but in a gentle way, not in an I’m-in-a-hurry type of way.

Ramiro’s head spun, but he couldn’t think of anything specific to ask. He’d need to look more up himself first.

Summer continued to remain quiet.

“Well, there are a few apps you can use once you know what week you’re in, for keeping up with general milestones. A lot of them compare the baby’s size to fruit, to help you picture how big the baby’s getting. Now, let me get the sonographer in to complete the ultrasound. She’ll also let you know the date.”The doctor paused, studying Summer again. “It was a pleasure to meet you.” Then she slipped out of the room.

Ramiro rubbed his thumb over the back of Summer’s hand.

She pulled away. “I’m fine,” she said.

He believed it even less.

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