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I can’t help the chuckle that rises up, though. “Sure, I can manage a stress-free environment.”
Glancing at Kristof, the same light amusement is on his face even as he watches the doctor like a hawk.
“Do you know when you became pregnant?”
“No. Honestly, I have no idea. I felt unwell for weeks before I took the test because I thought it was just the change in diet.”
“Ahh, you are American, yes?” Barnadon quirks a brow. “Your food is terribly different from ours.”
“Yes, I’ve learned.”
“When did you arrive here?”
“Month and a half ago, maybe two,” Kristof answers.
“Hmm.” Barnadon finishes his check of the device and then waves one hand at me. “Lie back for me and pull up your shirt.”
I obey, glancing at Kristof as his gaze darkens. It’s so thrilling to see the possessiveness so openly on his face as Barnadon squirts gel across my lower belly. The portable ultrasound flickers to life, and Barnadon places the wand on my stomach.
There’s a pulse of silence as everyone waits, and then the audible, frantic sound of a heartbeat fills the air.
Tears spring into my eyes in an instant, and I crane at the screen.
“Here.” Barnadon slides the wand over my belly, applying firm pressure that makes my bladder complain until he locates something that looks like a bean with little jelly limbs. Love floods my heart at the sight, and when I reach out for Kristof, he’s right there waiting.
“Our baby,” I gasp, emotion clogging my throat and trembling our words. “Is it okay?”
“Our baby,” Kristof murmurs, his eyes locked on the screen.
Barnadon busies himself with the monitor for a moment, zooming in on the image and clicking a snapshot.
“Yes, everything looks good from here,” he says with a smile, and my heart lifts.
Everything else pales after that moment. The tests continue, and I answer the doctor’s questions to the best of my ability, but all I can really focus on is the ultrasound picture he presses into my hands.
My baby.
Our baby.
They’re real, and they’re alive inside me.
The tears don’t stop for what feels like hours, and Kristof’s hand never leaves mine even as the doctor continues his tests.
By the time he’s done, I’m exhausted but happy.
“Everything seems in order for now. My only concern is that your blood pressure is higher than I would like, but given how stressful your accident was, it may be linked to that. I recommend lots of rest and some light exercise when you can. I’ll leave a leaflet so you can adjust your diet to ensure you’re getting the nutrients you need.”
“I’ll make sure she’s taken care of,” Kristof says, watching as he starts to pack up.
“Can you tell us the sex?” I ask suddenly, tearing my eyes away from the picture. “Is it too early to tell?”
“This early, it’s not definitive, but I would say it was clear during the scan,” Barnadon replies. “Do you wish to know?”
Kristof and I lock gazes.
“Do you want to know?” I ask softly, running my thumb over his knuckles.
Kristof wets his lips. “I don’t know. Do you?”
