“What? I’m just curious. I read that they might start to get sore early in the pregnancy, all the way to the end. So, I was just curious.”
My eyes are still glued to her as she wraps the gown around her. Once it’s tied, she reaches under it and pulls her panties off. They’re pink.
She hands me her clothes and settles herself on the exam table. I set her bag down and fold her clothes before placing them on the counter next to me.
“Are you good? Do you need anything?” I ask.
“I’m good.” She holds out her hand to me so I lean forward and take it in mine. “Are you nervous at all? You seem so calm. I’m kinda freaking out a little. Like, Archie, this appointment is going to make this very real.”
Before I can reply, there’s a knock on the door, and then it opens. The doctor walks in, followed by the nurse, and the door closes.
“Hi, Emma. I’m Dr. Landy. So, I can confirm that you are pregnant. Congratulations. I’m going to do a short exam here, but then I’m going to bring in the technician for an ultrasound. She’ll do a transvaginal ultrasound to help me confirm your due date and just make sure we don’t have any additional challenges. But you’re young and healthy, so I don’t anticipate any issues. We also need to discuss your family history based on your intake form.”
She looks over at me. “Are you the father?”
“I am.” I beam.
“Congratulations to you both then. Go ahead and lie back, Emma.” The doctor pulls a pair of gloves on and sits on a rolling stool and rolls her way right up into Emma’s honeypot. I mean, right on in there.
I’m still holding Emma’s hand, but locked in on what’s happening at the end of the exam table when I feel Emma squeeze my hand. I look at her, and she’s watching me.
“Look at me, please.” Her eyebrows rise.
“You got it, darlin’.” I wink at her.
“Okay, Emma. You can sit up. Everything feels okay, so let’s get the tech in here and get the ultrasound done. I’ll see you in four weeks, unless you have any concerns.” She takes off her gloves, tosses them in a bin, and smiles at us both.
Emma clears her throat. “So, about that family history. I doneed to know what to be prepared for since my sister died from complications of pulmonary atresia.”
“I did see that on your form, and I understand your concerns. We will be monitoring your pregnancy closely, and if we see anything that we need to look at further, I promise you, we will do so immediately. But there have been so many advances in pediatric cardiology in the last ten years, so I’m confident that if there are any issues, we can keep you and the baby safe. Okay?” She smiles gently. “Now let’s get that ultrasound so we can get some measurements and the baby’s heart rate.”
I turn my gaze to Emma, a little shocked by the fact that she hasn’t told me she lost a sibling. I can’t imagine losing any of my brothers, so that must have been horrible for her and her family.
Emma nods. “Thank you, Doctor.”
Dr. Landy smiles and leaves the room with the nurse.
“So, Emma, can you tell me about your sister?” I ask quietly.
She sighs. “I will. It’s just not something that’s easy for me to talk about. I remember the day she died. I was nine, so while I didn’t understand a lot of the medical jargon then, I knew something was wrong. It happened so fast, and then she was gone. She’s why I want to be a doctor.”
“I’m so sorry, darlin’. I can’t imagine. But, Em, look at me.”
She looks at me, and our eyes meet.
“Our baby is going to be healthy, happy, and smothered in love.”
She smiles and nods. “You’re right. This is a lucky baby, huh?”
“The luckiest.” I lean forward and kiss her.
Another knock on the door interrupts our kiss.
“Emma, I’m here to do your ultrasound.” A woman in scrubs comes into the room, pushing a cart with a screen and … a dildo?
My eyes shoot to Emma’s. I’m trying to keep my mouth shut, but I can’t help the smile that breaks across my face. I pull in a deep breath through my nose to keep from laughing.
Emma closes her eyes and shakes her head. “You are a child, Archie.”