Page 31 of Not the Bodyguard's Widow
They signed the papers at the desk in the corner, and a secretary snapped their photo with a Polaroid camera and Alex’s phone. Outside the courthouse, Alex asked a passerby to take another couple of photos. He didn’t try to kiss her, but he held her protectively close. Kimberly allowed herself to lean into his side and smiled. He would only have one first wedding. She should do her best to make sure the few photos he had were happy memories or at least ones he could laugh at.
He helped Mrs. Capps into the truck first, then came back to lift Kimberly in. She didn’t fight him this time. She leaned close to his ear. “Thank you for being the perfect groom. No bride in my position could ask for better.” She gave him a kiss on the cheek.
Mrs. Capps directed them to the emergency entrance of the small county hospital and ushered them straight into the maternity ward, where she haled a nurse. “Barbara, Dr. Potts is out of town today, but I would like an emergency ultrasound on Mrs. Hastings right away.”
Barbara pulled out a clipboard and handed it to Alex. “Okay, Dad, fill this out while I see about getting your wife a room.”
“And some water. I don’t think she’s had enough this past hour.” Mrs. Capps motioned them both into chairs.
Barbara returned with a wheelchair. “Here you go, Mrs. Hastings. Come along, Mr. Hastings. Does Mrs. Capps have your permission to be in the room?”
“Yes.” Kimberly sat in the wheelchair.
“Mr. Hastings, make sure you add Mrs. Capps to page three of the HIPAA release.” Barbara pushed the wheelchair less than twenty feet into a room, where Kimberly climbed out of it and into a large reclining chair.
“So, what is the problem?”
“I suspect placenta previa. Mrs. Hastings has had three prior miscarriages. With surgery after two of them.”
“Dr. Astor is on call. I’ll ask him to approve your order.” Barbara left the room.
Mrs. Capps handed Kimberly a full water bottle. “Drink until you don’t think you can drink any more, then try for another cup. I should have been hydrating you better.”
Alex looked up from the papers. “I filled in the easy stuff, like your birthday, which I learned filling out the papers for our wedding, but I don’t have a clue about some of these questions.” His face pinked.
Kimberly reached for the clipboard. She held in a laugh at the first question. Poor Alex, married an hour and already he had to answer questions about her last period. Kimberly filled in the information and handed the clipboard back.
“Keep drinking.” Mrs. Capps shoved the water bottle in her face.
Barbara returned. “Dr. Astor completed the order and says hello to Mrs. Capps. Mr. Hastings, if you’ll step out into the hallway, we’ll prepare your wife for the ultrasound.” She turned to Kimberly. “Would you like him to be present during the procedure?”
Kimberly met Alex’s eyes and nodded. He returned the nod. “Yes, please.”
“Do you want to know the gender?”
Kimberly bit her lip and shook her head. She didn’t want to dream of a little boy who looked like Jeremy. She wasn’t ready for that, not while hiding from his father. Mrs. Capps helped drape Kimberly’s lower half and pull the borrowed dress up out of the way. Barbara gave Mrs. Capps an odd look. Kimberly realized the nurse must have seen her lacy underwear, definitely not typical Amish or even Beachy Amish, she guessed.
Once only the bump was exposed, Barbara opened the door and invited Alex back in.
11
Loveat first sight was a myth. Unless you were viewing a grainy black-and-white ultrasound image. Every muscle around Alex’s heart clenched as the child inside Kimberly stuck its thumb inside its mouth. His hand found Kimberly’s. He needed to share the moment. He looked down at her and found her staring at the monitor with the same awe he felt.
Barbara took measurements on the screen. “Baby looks right on schedule for twenty-five weeks. I love the thumb suckers. Have you felt movement yet?”
“Small things, like a butterfly or a hummingbird.”
“In another week, Dad might feel something too. Oh, look at that kick. Someone doesn’t like me looking into his or her private room.” Barbara turned the monitor. “I will do more checking and measurements. Some babies aren’t as modest as others, so I turn the monitor to keep the gender secret.”
Alex suspected more. Mrs. Capps pointed to several spots on the monitor, and Barbara ran the wand over an area, then another. They held a whispered conversation comprised of frowns and smiles more than words.
“Mrs. Capps, you know the policy. The doctor will review it and give the official diagnosis. He should be here in the next half hour.” Barbara switched off the machine, cleaned the gel from Kimberly’s belly, and lowered her dress. “Make yourselves comfortable. Mrs. Hastings, there is a bathroom through the door. If you wouldn’t mind leaving me a sample in a cup. Mrs. Capps, if you will come with me.”
The door closed behind the women, leaving Alex and Kimberly alone for the first time in hours.
“I think Barbara believes Mrs. Capps will say something she shouldn’t.” Kimberly squeezed Alex’s fingers. He’d forgotten they were still holding hands. “Could you give me a hand up? This is an awkward position.”
Alex stood and helped her up, steadying her once she was on her feet. “Thanks, Alex.”
