Page 19 of Can We Try?

“Oh, we’re not together. I mean, we’re raising the baby together, but we’re not… it was a one-time thing,” Maggie says, her face growing hot with embarrassment.

“No judgement here. I’m glad the two of you are making it work, whatever is best for you and your baby.” The doctor measures Maggie’s belly a few different directions. “You’re measuring right where you need to be for twelve weeks.” She smiles kindly.

“That’s good, right?” Maggie asks.

“That’s perfect.”

“Now, how about we see if we can hear the baby’s heartbeat? Let me run out to get the doppler. I’ll be right back.”

She leaves the room and I’m on my feet. I rush to Maggie’s side and stare down at her belly. “Can I?” I ask, the words gruff on my lips.

I don’t need to explain. She nods her agreement, knowing exactly what I’m silently asking for. Slowly, I lift her scrub top, and there it is. Her small baby bump that I haven’t been able to see due to her clothes.

“Damn, Mags.” Unable to stop myself, I lean over and place a kiss on her slight bump. “Daddy loves you,” I tell the bump, and I hear a choked sob. Lifting my head, I see Maggie with tears rolling down her cheeks. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”

“Hormones.” She smiles through her laughter.

“Don’t. Tell me what I did, Maggie.”

“Nothing, Lachlan. You just melted my heart. You’re really here and in this. I mean, you’ve been incredible since the moment I told you about the baby, but… I guess I’m just happy that our baby gets a daddy who’s going to love him or her unconditionally. I wasn’t sure how you would take all this and you’ve been nothing short of amazing.” She wipes at her cheeks. “I guess what I’m trying to say is that if this was the plan for me, I’m glad it’s you.”

I’d give anything to kiss her right now. To tell her with more than my words that I’m always going to be here for both of them. I want to tell her I can’t stop thinking about her, and that the greatest night of sex of my life led to this tiny miracle. However, I just smile. “Me too, Maggie. Me too.” I squeeze her hand just as the doctor steps back into the room.

“Sorry, we had one break, so we’re passing this one around. All right, let’s do this.”

A loud, whooshing sound fills the room. “Holy shit, is that the baby?” Even I can hear the awe in my voice.

“It sure is. Very strong and healthy.”

Reaching into my pocket, I pull out my phone, open the voice app, and hit Record, hoping to capture the sound. I want to bottle it and listen to it forever, at least until our little one is here with us.

“You know, you can buy these now. They’re under a hundred dollars or so for a good one.”

“What? Can you send me a link?” I ask the doctor.

That has her chuckling. “I think we have some literature and a coupon. I’ll grab it for you before you leave.”

“Yes, please.”

“Thank you, Dr. Holmes,” Maggie speaks up.

“You’re welcome. Everything looks great. We’ll see you back in four weeks, unless you need us before then. If you ever have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to call us, or if you're truly worried, go to the emergency room. Keep taking your prenatal vitamins and growing a healthy baby.”

“Thank you,” Maggie and I say at the same time.

“I’ll send someone in with that literature on the doppler.” She disappears, and I beam at Maggie.

“I’m buying it today. We’ll be able to listen anytime we want.”

“You don’t have to do that.”

“I want to do that. You better get used to me dropping by just to hear the baby’s heartbeat,” I tell her. She laughs, but I’m being serious. This is the most amazing feeling. “When do we get to see the baby?”

“Usually at twenty weeks. That’s halfway, and we’ll be able to tell the gender.”

“That’s too long,” I pout, and it makes her smile grow.

“You’ll survive, Daddy.”

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