Page 41 of Hap

I’ve never thoughta sound could bring me so much relief and joy, but hearing my baby’s heartbeat echo around the room fills my entire soul with relief. A loud sob escapes me, and Star grips my hand in hers, giving it a gentle squeeze.

“All sounds good.” The doctor smiles. “Now, let’s have a little look, just to make sure everything is as it should be.”

“Wait,” Star says as she lets go of my hand. I frown and look at her. “He should be here for this,” she states.

“No,” I argue.

She exhales a breath. “I know you are angry at him, and I am too for behaving like a complete twat, but it’s his kid, too. Plus, I know he will be outside pacing back and forth sick with worry. Just let him see that his kid is okay,” Star presses.

I swallow and nod. She gives me a small smile, and after a gentle squeeze of my hand, she turns and leaves the room. I look at the screen as the doctor presses some buttons before she adds some more cold jelly to my stomach as she moves the wand around. I’m so focused on the screen that I didn’t hear Hap come in. When his hand takes mine, I flinch. I turn and look at him and see that his eyes are full of worry and regret. It’s because of that I don’t yank my hand away as he sits down next to me.

His gaze flickers from me to the screen before he lifts my hand to his mouth and places a soft kiss at the back of it. His eyes sear through mine and I swallow the lump in my throat.

“Okay.” The doctor breaks the moment, drawing our attention back to the screen. She moves the wand over the screen, smiling as she points. “And there is your beautiful baby.” She pauses, looking at the both of us. “Are we wanting to know the sex?” she asks.

“Yes,” I breathe, not waiting for Hap’s response. He kisses the back of my hand again.

The doctor nods and continues. “You’re having a boy.” She smiles.

“A boy?” I whisper, a smile stretching across my face.

“That’s right. I’d say you are sixteen weeks and three days pregnant. I will just check your placenta and make sure everything is as it should be.” She smiles. Over sixteen weeks? Jesus, a lot has happened in that time. The doctor finishes and turns to me and smiles. “Okay, all seems fine. I’d say the pain you felt was probably Braxton Hicks. This could have been caused by dehydration. Have you been drinking enough water?” she asks.

I nod. “Yes,” I answer.

“Have you been under stress?” she asks. I nod, and guilt fills my stomach. Our argument, one that I caused. “That could be why, but as your pregnancy progresses, you will experience Braxton Hicks, especially towards the end. They are practice contractions and completely normal. However, if you ever find them too painful, or they become persistent, then come to the hospital, and we can check you over. In the meantime, try and avoid stress if possible, and remember to also rest when you can.” She smiles as she clicks a few things on her tablet. “I will just write up your notes, and we will schedule you in for a check-up appointment at twenty weeks. Keep taking your vitaminsand be sure to relax when you can. I know modern life can be hard, but please try to avoid any unnecessary stress,” she advises before walking out of the room, leaving Hap and me in awkward silence.

I withdraw my hand from his and push myself up to a sitting position before I grab a handful of tissues from the carton and begin wiping the leftover gel from my stomach.

“Alina,” he says softly. “Baby,” he presses when I don’t answer. I just continue wiping my stomach. He grabs my wrist, stopping me, and as I look at him, his eyes are pleading with mine. “I’m sorry,” he says. I swallow, keeping my eyes on him. “I’m so fucking sorry,” he exhales.

“Did you do what you said?” I ask, my voice sounding so weak. Nothing like me at all.

He shakes his head. “No, baby. I would never. I was just so fucking angry. You just kept pushing and pushing. I snapped.” He gets up from the chair at the side of the bed and perches next to me. He traces his fingers along my hairline, tucking my hair behind my ear. “I’m not excusing why I did it. I should have thrown you over my shoulder and taken you to bed. I shouldn’t have brought her back just to piss you off.” He pauses, cupping my face in his hands. I can’t help but lean into his touch as the rough pad of his thumb strokes my cheek. “I fucked up tonight, and I can’t promise I won’t fuck up again, but I can promise that I want you. Not just because you are carrying my kid, not just because you give great fucking head, and are also a pretty good fucking lay,” he teases, a playful smile on his face. “I want you baby, and I will spend every fucking day proving that to you if that’s what it takes,” he says, his eyes searching my face.

I lift my hand, letting my fingers dance along his stubbled jaw. “You terrify me,” I confess, looking into rich blue eyes. “This is all so much, so fast. It’s intense, and if you have the power to hurt me now, you will have the power to end me the longer thisgoes on.” My thumb traces along his bottom lip, smiling when he places a soft kiss on the pad of my thumb.

“You are forgetting something,” he says, moving his mouth closer to mine, his breath tickling across my lips. “I’m not the only one with the power, baby. My heart and soul are in your hands,” he confesses, brushing his lips across mine. “And my dick if you want it.” He smiles. I gasp, but he swallows my protest by crashing his mouth down to mine, kissing me.

I melt into his kiss, but we’re disturbed when the door opens and a light cough breaks the moment. He rests his forehead against mine, his eyes closed.

“Well, I’m glad you kids kissed and made up. The doctor has said you are free to go. Unless you two want to stay longer and fuck in a hospital bed,” Star says from the doorway.

I place my hands over Hap’s hands as he keeps hold of my face, tilting my head and place a kiss on his palm. He places a gentle kiss on my temple before moving and turning his attention to Star.

“Your timing is, as always, impeccable,” he quips.

Star bows. “Why, thank you, kind sir. Now can we fuck off back to the house? As I owe Ghost one of my Star specials.” She grins, tapping her wrist where a watch would be.

“What’s a Star special?” I ask as Hap helps me off the bed.

‘Don’t,” he says abruptly. “Don’t ever ask her that,” he warns. “Trust me, you won’t want to know.”

Star’s grin widens. “I will tell you over a coffee tomorrow.” She winks at me.

I snort back my laughter as Hap takes my hand and leads me out of the room.

“So,as I roll my tongue, I slide my two fingers up and along?—”

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