Page 48 of Learn the Play
“You’re beautiful,” he tells me, giving my hips a gentle squeeze before releasing me. He moves back to his chair and sits. I watch as he adjusts himself.
“You all right there, big guy?” I tease him.
“I’m used to it,” he replies. “Any time I think about you, this is what happens.”
It’s on the tip of my tongue to ask him why he’s not acting on it when there’s a knock at the door, and the doctor walks in. I guess she’s not running as far behind as they thought. My eyes find Reid’s, and he winks.
“Hello, Bellamy, I’m Doctor Armstrong.”
“Nice to meet you.”
Doctor Armstrong turns toward Reid and offers him her hand. “Reid Montgomery, baby daddy.” He grins, and she laughs.
“Well, all right, then. So, I see here you’ve taken a home test?” she asks.
“I did. It was instantly positive.”
“Okay, well, we’ll take a listen and see what we can find. If the dates of your last period you gave the nurse are correct, then that puts your due date on March third.”
“After the season,” Reid says, his smile growing. We’d already worked that out in our heads, with the help of the internet, but it’s good to have it confirmed.
“Lie back, and we’ll take a listen. It might be too early yet, but from the dates you provided, you’re close enough that we’ll give it a try.” Doctor Armstrong smiles politely.
I do as she says and lie back. She arranges the blanket to cover my lower half before she squirts warm gel on my belly and places the Doppler there.
“What are we listening for?” Reid asks. The words are barely out of his mouth when a loud whooshing sound echoes around the room.
“That.” Doctor Armstrong smiles at him. “Your baby’s heartbeat.”
“Wow.” Reid moves next to me and reaches for my hand. His eyes are glued to my belly, and tears burn the back of my eyes as I watch him watching me. When he finally breaks his gaze and looks at me, his eyes are glassy, too. Bending, he kisses me softly before resting his forehead against mine. “Our baby,” he whispers.
“Our baby,” I repeat.
“We’re going to do blood tests just to confirm, and should have the results in a couple of days. Usually it’s the next day, but I like to warn that it could be longer if the lab runs behind.” Doctor Armstrong wipes off my belly, and Reid helps me pull my gown back together. “I do need to check you. Is it okay if this one stays in the room?” she asks, pointing to Reid.
“It’s fine,” I assure her. I raise my hand, and Reid laces his fingers through mine.
“I’m here,” he says, bending to kiss my temple.
I follow the doctor’s instructions, who tells me to put my feet in the stirrups and scoot down. This is the worst part, but I knew from my online research that they’d do an exam today. Reid’s grip on my hand tightens, but he doesn’t say anything. The exam is over just as quickly as it started, but that doesn’t make it any less humiliating.
“All set. Do you have any questions?”
I look up at Reid, and he shakes his head. “No, thank you.” I smile at the doctor.
“You can get dressed. Take your time. When you’re ready, stop at the counter. The receptionist will have a new mom packet for you. We’ll see you back in four weeks.”
“Thank you, Doctor,” Reid tells her, and she closes the door, leaving us alone.
Letting go of Reid’s hand, I move to stand, and he’s there, helping me. Together, we discard my gown, and I get redressed. He takes his time, touching me reverently. So much so that his tenderness brings tears to my eyes. Once I’m fully dressed, we leave the room and stop at the reception. I schedule my next appointment for the end of the day and move it up three days, because there’s an away game that week. Reid shared his calendar with me so I’ll always know where he’s going to be.
“I’ll see you at home?” I say, as he walks me to my car.
“Yes.” He nods. He gives me a sweet kiss before opening my door for me. “Be safe. I’ll be right behind you.”
“Okay.” I buckle in, and he shuts the door and walks to his truck. I give him a couple of minutes before I pull out, and he eases out right behind me. All the way back home, he stays right there, as if he’s afraid that if we get separated, it will be for life or something.
He was quiet after the ultrasound, and I get it. It’s big and scary, but I can’t help but wonder if he’s having second thoughts. I hate to even ask him, but if we’re not open with each other, this relationship will fail before we’ve ever really given it a fair shot.
