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“Hoping for multiples?”
“I’m a twin, so if we have twins, we’ll be good,” Peyton says.
Dr. Ringman nods. “Okay, let’s get started. Do you want Dad to stay in the room?”
Dad . . . I’m not sure I’ll ever get used to someone referring to me as Dad. Peyton looks at me. I smile softly. “Whatever you want, babe.”
“I want him to stay.” She doesn’t take her eyes off mine. Right then, I wonder what Dr. Ringman thinks. Does she wonder if I’m forcing Peyton to answer this way? Does she think Peyton’s in some abusive relationship? Now, I’m uneasy, thinking the worst. I swallow hard and step forward, clutching Peyton’s hand.
Once Peyton’s settled, she’s back to staring at me and not paying attention to what the doctor’s doing to the lower part of her body. When Peyton winces, I want to demand the doctor stop but know this is necessary.
“All done.” Ringman moves away from Peyton and covers her lower half. “Are your breasts sensitive?”
“Yes. Some days are worse than others.”
Ringman moves Peyton’s arm, checks her breasts—which I think should be my job—and then covers her up before coming to my side. I step away but am back at her side as soon as Ringman’s done. She moves back to the computer, sitting on the stool I desperately want to sit and zoom around the room on. I help Peyton sit up.
“Everything looks good, Peyton. Your due date is going to be around January tenth.”
“Well, would you look at that?” I say so only she can hear. “I’m a cliché.”
Peyton laughs. “Everyone on social media will blame me, saying I should’ve planned this better to have a spring or summer baby.”
“Who cares what everyone thinks. We’re having a baby. If he or she comes on game day, oh well.”
“Peyton, I’ve copied your OB in Portland, per your request. Is your next appointment going to be here?” Dr. Ringman asks.
“Yes,” Peyton says. “I’m here until August and can come back for the monthly appointments. It’s the two-week ones that I’m concerned with.”
Dr. Ringman nods. “Okay, the only concern I have right now is bed rest and premature delivery in the third trimester. As soon as you hit your second trimester, we’re going to have you come in every two weeks to be on the safe side.”
Peyton glances at me briefly, and then at the doctor. “Maybe I should just keep all my appointments here?”
“That might be an undue financial burden.”
“My dad has a plane. It’s okay.” Peyton covers her face, shaking her head. “It’s not a problem,” she says.
I wait for Dr. Ringman to ask her to explain. She doesn’t, which is probably a relief to Peyton. Truth is, we’ll use the crap out of the private jet.
“Where do you plan to deliver?”
“Oh, um, I guess Portland.”
Dr. Ringman nods and types. “We don’t normally suggest the back and forth. I’m happy to see you until you return to Portland and then transfer your care over to your OB there.”
Peyton nods.
“I’ll see you back here in four weeks. Please don’t hesitate to call if you have questions.” She shakes our hands and leaves, along with Stephanie. As soon as the door closes, I help Peyton off the table and wait while she dresses.
“We had questions, and I forgot to ask.”
“We can look at the books when we get home,” she says. “I’m sure appointment expectations are in there somewhere.”
Peyton stops at the check-out, gets her appointment for next month and then we’re on our way. “What’s on the agenda?”
“I want to go shopping.”
I think the groan I let out can be heard all the way back to Beaumont.
