Page 6 of Resolution
“We’ll find out more with an ultrasound, Mrs. O’Reilly.”
I finally turn to Enzo, who has been unusually quiet this entire time. When his eyes lock with mine, the expression on his face is complete and utter shock.Oh my God, he’s going to think I’ve trapped him.
What the fuck am I going to do? I’m thirty-eight years old, for crying out loud.I already have three kids, and Maddie’s almost fifteen. People are going to thinkshe’sthe mother, not me.I’m going to be asked if I’m this child’s grandma. I’m going to be a laughingstock.
How the hell am I even pregnant?Well, I know how.But Devin and I tried for years.Years!I remember month after month hoping for it to happen, getting to the point where I utterly hated my period. How did I not get pregnant then? What’s different now?
Enzo. That’s what. I turn to look at the man next to me. His beautiful features are like stone. For once, I can’t read his expression. It scares the shit out of me.
Enzo’s kind, loving, and has spent his entire life being single. He’s never settled down or been with anyone serious. Being with my family and me is one thing.Adding a baby to the mix? He’s going to run for the hills the first chance he gets.
2
Enzo
Yes,I’m scared shitless. Yes, this is completely unexpected.But when I look at the woman before me who looks utterly freaked out, I’m at a loss for what to do. I love her no matter what, but what if she doesn’t want this? What if she doesn’t want any more kids? Would I be okay with letting her make that decision for us? I wish I could find a way to take the look of terror off her face.It’s my fault we never use condoms. It’s my fault she’s going through this now.
The doctor and nurse return, wheeling in a large machine.It has a wand-like thing and a monitor. There’s also a long stick thingy on the side, next to where the wand for the ultrasound is.
The doctor presses his hands across Samantha’s belly.It’s light, but it makes me nervous.What if he hurts the baby?Samantha’s already in a hospital gown since she was expecting to take a series of other tests, not an ultrasound for pregnancy.
The doctor adjusts the sheet so she’s covered and opens up her gown to expose her stomach. He squirts some gel onto the wand, then moves it around. For a few minutes, there’s nothing.
“I was afraid of this,” he says ominously.What. The. Fuck. Is. Wrong? We just found out she’s pregnant.
“What?” Samantha squeaks.
“I’m afraid I’m going to have to use the vaginal wand,” the doctor says as an explanation.
Samantha lets out a sigh and I still don’t have a fucking clue as to what’s going on. I finally ask, since no one says anything else, “What does that mean, Doc?” I feel the muscles in my jaw clench.
The doctor looks at me with kind eyes, and I relax a little. “It means she’s likely not that far along and I’ll have to do a vaginal ultrasound since it’s too small to see at this point.”
Samantha reaches for my hand. “Don’t worry, Enzo. I did this with my other pregnancies. All turned out fine.”
Her touch soothes me, along with her words.I feel myself relax.
The doctor wipes the gel off her stomach. “Would you like me to step out of the room while you remove your underwear?”
Samantha sighs and shakes her head. “What’s the point? You’re going to see it all anyway. There’s no modesty in pregnancy, right?”
Meanwhile, I’m over here thinking,What the fuck is she talking about? I don’t want any man looking at her vagina, but me.
Before I can say anything, Samantha shimmies out of her underwear and hands them to me. She manages to stay covered, butwhat am I supposed to do with them? Shit.I don’t want to look like a fool, so I stuff them in my pocket. That takes care of one problem.
The doctor picks up this long-handled thing and squirts gel onto the end.He’s going to stick that… where?Then it dawns on me and I can’t help that I’m suddenly thinking of dildos.Jesus Christ, I’m about to see my child for the first time and I’m thinking about dildos. Great! What a great dad I’ll be. Thank God, she can’t hear what I’m thinking. This woman’s carrying my baby and here I am acting like a randy teenager. What the fuck is wrong with me?
“Oh, that’s cold.” Samantha gasps, breaking me out of my revelry.
On the monitor, there’s a blur of motion.Suddenly, I hear a birdlike drumbeat. It’s soft and fast.
“There’s the heartbeat,” the doctor announces to the room.
I. Am. In. Awe. I can hear my child’s heartbeat.I look to Samantha, who has tears welling in her eyes. She’s the most gorgeous woman in the world, and she’s carrying my baby. I’m a lucky bastard.
“I love you, Samantha,” I whisper to her. If I speak any louder, my voice will break.
When the doctor moves the wand around, I hear something different. This time it’s louder and slower.
