Page 191 of Haze of Obedience
She smiles. "I won't."
"Thank you."
Zoe and I go into the other room and switch back to Spanish.
"Dirk, you can't do this."
"What?"
"Freak out when nothing is wrong."
"You could have gotten killed. Or the baby could have died."
"But I didn't. And the baby is fine."
"It won't hurt to get another ultrasound to double-check."
"I don't want you to start managing me."
"Managing you? What does that mean?"
"I've had people manage me my entire life. I don't—"
"Are you comparing me to those monsters?"
"No. Not at all. I love you."
"Then what are you saying, Zoe? Spit it out," I angrily demand.
"If I say no, I mean no."
I step back and sharply inhale. "So, you are comparing me to them?"
"No. Stop saying that."
"What would you call it?"
"Taking over my ability to say what happens to my body."
"My baby is in your body."
She glares. "No, it's our baby. Not your baby."
"You know what I meant."
Silence ensues. Tears fall down her cheeks.
I step forward and wrap my arms around her. "Don't cry."
"I want this to be a happy time. I don't want to worry every five minutes. I'm so tired of constantly being scared."
I tighten my hold on her. "You're my life, Zoe. I don't want anything to happen to you or the baby and especially not because we didn't get you extra care if you need it."
"But I don't. You heard Sloane."
"She also said it wouldn't hurt to get another ultrasound. I don't understand what the big deal is. You can even see the baby on the screen. When you were unconscious in Texas, you missed out on seeing her."
She tilts her head up. "Dirk, it's a boy."
