Page 117 of Rival
“Ready for—Oh. Wow. We have a whole group in here.” Working her way inside and past us, the guys and I shift to give her space as she heads over to Edith. She doesn’t hide her curiosity the way the nurse did. Maybe it’s a doctor thing, but she’s definitely about to ask questions.
And I’m fucking ready to answer every single one of them.
Facing me, she tilts her head to the side. “Would you mind scooting over for me? I need my stool.”
“Oh, fu—” Coughing to cover up my language, I just close my mouth and step out of her way.
“Perfect! Alright Ms. Edith Hughes. I’m Doctor Kasey Willet. I’ve already gone through the files we had transferred from your previous OB, so today I just want to do a quick, non-invasive physical, measurements of the baby, and quick check of your cervix. Then we can talk about any questions or concerns you’re having.”
Edith is bright red again; maybe some of it is still left over from the waiting room. Flicking her eyes at me briefly, she turns back to Dr. Willet with a forced smile. “Sounds like a plan. What, umm, what do you want to do first?”
Her eyes roam over us to check for our reactions. It’s clear she’s uncomfortable with the idea of us watching, so I bite the bullet. “We can step outside while you do the personal stuff first, if you’d like?”
Dr. Willet snorts and peers at me over her shoulder, eye squinting as if I said something hilarious. “It’sallpersonal stuff. But yes, why don’t you guys step out and we’ll do the not so fun part.” To Edith, she says, “Up to you if you want dad to stay behind.”
A garbled noise pours from Edith’s throat and now she’s looking at everythingnothuman.
“We’re all takin’ that role,” Griffin announces proudly, then whispers, “Ow, you ass,” after Jaxon delivers a sharp poke to his side. I’d have smacked him, but we’ve all got to be aware of these sorts of things around Edith.
Waving her hands at us, Dr. Willet ushers us from the room. “Shoo. I’ll let you know when you can come back in. Out you go.”
As soon as we’re back in the hallway, Jaxon turns on Griffin. “Would younotbe so callous about this?” Pointing between all of us sharply, he hisses under his breath. “Weare okay with this, butshe’sclearly not thrilled she’s having a baby with three potential fathers. Would you have some sensitivity?”
“That’s rich, comin’ from you of all people.” Griffin bites back, but nods anyway. “But yeah, sorry. I’ll hold back my comments until the end. Idohave questions though, and I’m gonna get them answered.”
“Just…” Jaxon trails off. “Just have some awareness.”
It’s not long before we’re allowed in again. Edith is laying back slightly on the table with her gown tied above her bare stomach. Her hand is fisting the edges together between her breasts tightly.
She watches as we file in and gives us a wobbly smile.
“Alright, now for the fun part! We’ll check her growth and if you’re allreallygood, I might even let you stay for the heartbeat!” Shoving a hand into her pocket, she produces a thin tape measure like it’s a prize, then starts turning it all sorts of ways over Edith’s baby bump.
I can’t take my eyes off the smooth, alabaster skin stretched tightly, knowing there’s a good chance that’s my kid in there, tucked just a few inches away from the air we’re breathing.
It’s overwhelming, more intense than I imagined it would be when it was just the idea of a baby. Butseeingher stomach up close like this, I feel a ball of something clogging my throat and I cough softly a few times to clear it.
Checking with the guys, it’s obvious they’re just as overcome as I am. I want to ask them what they’re thinking, but a soft grunt from Edith has me whipping my head back to her with a frown.
Dr. Willet is pressing one hand into the top of Edith’s stomach, her other down where the waistband of her leggings is lowered. With a scrunched-up face, she groans a bit again, wincing.
“Sorry, honey. I know this part isn’t fun, but…” Dr. Willet tightens the measuring tape, then pulls her hands away, checking out the number. “You’ve got yourself one big baby! She’s measuring right where she’s supposed to be. Good job, momma!”
I didn’t realize I was poised to shove the doctor away for hurting her, but Jaxon’s palm giving my shoulder a light squeeze pulls me back from how tense I am, and I relax.
Moving around to the equipment stored in the corner of the room, Dr. Willet starts rattling off numbers that Edith nods her head quickly to in understanding. They make absolutely no sense to me.
From the corner of my eye, I can see Griffin opening his mouth to ask questions, then shutting it when a new fact flies from Dr. Willet’s stream of nonsensical words. Nodding as if he understands everything, he eventually relaxes against the wall, completely at ease with his arms crossed and a grin from ear to ear.
Leaning toward him, I ask from the side of my mouth, “You’re gonna tell us what all that means, right?”
“Itmeansbaby girl is doing well,” the doctor calls out while pouring a bit of gel on Edith’s stomach. “Oh wow, they actually warmed it this time. Lucky you,” she teases my girl with a wink. “Okay, let’s find—”
A distortedwhomp-whomp-whompfills the room and all of us stand tall with eyes widening after each beat.
“Oh, wow,” Jaxon whispers, his voice cracking slightly.
I’m speechless.Holy fuck. That’s her heartbeat. It’s so—
