Page 51 of Finding Jacob
“No, I don’t know what you make, but I would like to do this. If you don’t want the money in your account, I get that. I’ll just open one for her, for when she’s older.”
“It’s a girl now, is it?” I teased, smiling at him.
“Yeah, I think so. Now, can we get back to money?”
Talking about the baby, about all the things we needed to sort out gave me a shock. We only had a few months to do it all. It was, however, a welcomed distraction from my sadness over Jules.
Later that evening, we had at least agreed on a list of items that needed to be bought, and we doubled up on them—opting for two nurseries—one at mine, and one at his, unless we settled the living issues. I’d convinced him that, for the moment, his house not being child friendly wasn’t suitable, and he’d convinced me mine couldn’t accommodate him.
I hadn’t bought anything for the baby, not even a packet of nappies. My girlfriends were desperate to organise a baby shower, and I’d even put that off. It wasn’t that I didn’t love a party, I just seemed too tired and too busy to even think about it.
By the time we headed for bed, we had organised a massive list of items to source, arranged a meeting with a personal shopper, I’d texted Dory and given her the go-ahead for a party, and assured her I would let her in on the sex so she could do a rather awful gender reveal at the same time. I’d also agreed to Jacob setting up an account for our baby, as well as him funding our new home, should we do that.
I was exhausted and sure I was asleep before my head even hit the pillow. I know I woke the following morning having had the best night’s sleep in years.
CHAPTERELEVEN
Jacob paced, I sat and waited patiently.
“What’s taking so long?” he asked rather aggressively.
“First baby?” came the reply from the reception.
I nodded and smiled, she winked at me, Jacob growled some more.
“Sit down, you’re making me tired just looking at you,” I said.
We were at the hospital waiting on a scan. That time, I’d ask to know the sex. I wasn’t worried about having a surprise on the day.
“We should have gone to The Portland,” he whispered, sitting beside me.
“My midwife is here, and I like her. You’re not the one pushing a bowling ball out of your fanny, so be quiet,” I whispered back.
He chuckled and took my hand. “I’m nervous,” he said.
“What for? Nothing has shown as untoward on previous scans, the baby is moving around in there like he... or she... is training for a marathon. I’m healthy, your healthy, all is good.”
“How can you be sure?”
“Because I am. When miracles happen and you can carry a baby, you’ll know as well. Call it instinct.”
Before he had a chance to reply, I was called through. Not before I spotted a woman leaving the room and being comforted by a nurse. She looked distraught and I prayed Jacob hadn’t seen.
I adjusted my clothing as instructed and climbed onto the bed.
“I’m sorry for the delay, running a little behind this morning,” the midwife said.
“That’s okay. This is my partner, the baby’s father,” I said, not actually introducing him properly.
Jacob held out his hand, the nurse, already gloved held hers in the air. “No germs allowed,” she said, smiling at him.
She squirted gel on my stomach and started to scan. Immediately, Jacob grabbed my hand and squeezed.
“Fucking hell,” he said, and I laughed. “She’s got a strong heartbeat.”
He didn’t excuse his language, but I didn’t care. He scooted forwards to get closer to the screen. I’d seen my baby before, but he hadn’t. He looked mesmerised. I stopped looking at the screen and stared at him instead. Tears sprang to his eyes as the scan picked out a face. He reached forward to touch the monitor.
“There’s my baby,” he whispered. I think even the midwife sniffled at that.
