Page 14 of Avenging Devil: Part 1

She’s sitting quietly, not reading, but her hands are smoothing over that baby bump as if reassuring the child inside. Her teeth worry her lip, and she keeps glancing toward the reception desk and looking nervous. As I watch, she takes out a tissue and dabs at her eyes.

I find myself wanting to know her story. Why’s she here alone? Does her man not care about the baby? Or, is he not in the picture? Strangely, she pulls at something inside of me, making me want to hold her close. If a woman ever needed caring for, it’s her.

Fanciful much? The excess of hormones must be getting to me. I laugh at myself, unable to believe I’m drawn to a pregnant woman. If I wanted a woman with a baby, I’d prefer to put one inside her myself.

“Ms Jones?”

The woman who caught my attention stands and follows the nurse. But still, after she disappears, I find myself thinking about her.Has she a man?Has he abandoned her? Is she wanting for money?I can’t understand why, but something about her calls to me.

I’m still thinking about her when the nurse reappears.

“Mrs Winslow?”

Mary comes to attention by my side. Standing, I help her out of her chair, and then wait undecided, not knowing what’s expected.Should have asked her before if she wants me to go with her.

As if she can read my mind, she tells me, “I’ll be back shortly.” She steps away, hesitates and turns back. “Would you like to come in and see the sonogram?”

Knowing Grumbler would kill me if I see any of Mary’s feminine parts, I give a rapid shake of my head, raise my hands palms up in front of me, and say hurriedly, “That’s okay.”

She giggles as though she knows exactly what I’m thinking and what her man is like. “I’ll be covered up, well, except for the bump and that’s hardly sexy.”

Yeah. I do a quick rethink. Perhaps I should be there. It’s then they’ll see if anything’s wrong, isn’t it? I’m here as my brother’s proxy. It takes me a mere second to decide before I give her a sharp nod.

Before she disappears, she has a word with the nurse, who listens carefully, and then addresses me, “I’ll come get you in a moment, Mr Simpson.”

To entertain myself, I pick up the magazine that Mary had been reading. I start flicking through, not really focused on what I’m reading which seems to be all about fashion during pregnancy, but it bides the time until I hear my name being called.

I’m led into a doctor’s office where Mary’s lying on a bed, her top pulled up but decently covering her breast area, and a blanket over her hips. I stare at her pregnant stomach, unable to recall seeing one in reality, only in movies or photographs. With curiosity, I notice her skin is already stretched taut. When I realise there’s a real baby in there, it takes my breath away. Of course, on one level I’d known and accepted it, on another, clearly not. I’ve never gotten up close and personal with a woman’s ripe body before.

There’s something beautiful about it, not sexy at all—this is my brother’s wife—but I find myself envying Grumbler that this is all his. Up to now, the extent of my pregnancy knowledge has been how to avoid one by always using a condom.

Looking on, half-wondering how I’d be feeling if this wasmywoman andmybaby, I watch as the technician places lube over her belly, then picks up a wand. As it connects with Mary’s skin, a screen starts to display an image.

I need a bit of help, but once I can see the baby, its form becomes clearer. My hand seems to move of its own volition, sneaking over and touching Mary’s. Mary grabs at it as though it’s a lifeline.

“Is he okay?”He?My surprise must show on my face. Realising her mistake, Mary quickly recovers and explains, “Grumbler knows we’re having a boy, but we’re keeping it to ourselves for now.”

“Your secret’s safe with me.” I grin. Grumbler must be over the moon. I’d bet good money he’s already planning on buying motorcycle-themed shit for the nursery, and expect I’ll be roped in to help put Harley decals on the walls.

“To answer your question, Mrs Winslow, everything looks good. He’s a good size and all is where it needs to be.”

I hear Mary’s exhaled sigh and don’t miss that the look she throws me is full of relief. I squeeze her hand.

“Your pregnancy is proceeding very nicely. Nothing to worry about here.”

I’m transfixed on the screen.That’s Grumbler’s boy in there. A recognisable child, who I’ll hopefully meet in three months’ time.I feel overwhelmed and privileged to have seen him. My throat feels choked, and this time, it’s Mary’s hand tightening around mine.

Chapter Six

Niran

Being a gentleman, I wait outside while Mary pulls some of her clothes up and the rest down and makes herself presentable. After a short period of hanging around while she sets up her next appointment, she’s free to leave and we head toward the parking lot.

“That went well?” I raise my tone on the last word, making my statement into a question.

Mary elbows me gently in the side. “I know you’ll report back to Grumbler, so here’s the rundown. My blood pressure is normal, my blood count is what it should be. There’s no protein in my urine, and I’ve put the right amount of weight on.”

“Hang on.” Scrambling in my pocket, I extract my phone. “Let me take notes.” This time her elbow is sharper. I bark a laugh. “I’ll just tell him baby’s fine, and mom is as well.”

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