Page 153 of The Wrong Groom

I nod and climb onto the exam table, my hands instinctively resting over my stomach.

“We’ll start with a few questions, just to make sure everything is going well, then we’ll fire up the ultrasound and check on your baby,” he says calmly. “How have you been feeling lately?”

“Um… plenty of nausea.” I wrinkle my nose.

Dr. Howard nods sympathetically. “That’s very common for the first trimester. Hopefully, we’ll see that decrease as you get further along.”

“She’s been throwing up most days,” Gabriel breaks in. “I read about medications you can prescribe to help bring the nausea down. Would that be possible?”

Dr. Howard looks surprised, but takes this request in stride. “Of course. We can start you on something mild and see how you respond.”

I glance at Gabriel, touched by his concern. He must have been researching, looking for ways to help. He didn’t have to do that.

Dr. Howard scribbles something on his notepad. “In the meantime, try to eat small meals throughout the day, and keep crackers or dry toast nearby in the mornings. Staying hydrated is important too. Drink more water than you think you need.”

I nod, and out of the corner of my eye, I see Gabriel nodding as well, like he’s mentally taking notes. I stifle my grin. The way Gabriel’s been acting lately, he’s definitely taking notes. I have a feeling ten different types of crackers are about to appear in the pantry.

Dr. Howard finishes writing the prescription and sets the clipboard down. “Alright, Alexis, let’s take a look and make sure everything’s progressing well.” He gestures toward the exam table. “Go ahead and lie back.”

I settle against the exam table. Dr. Howard wheels the ultrasound machine closer, adjusting the screen and reaching for a bottle of gel.

“This might be a little cold,” he warns, and a second later, I shiver as the cool gel touches my skin.

Gabriel moves toward the table, like he’s being drawn to me. Dr. Howard activates the ultrasound and presses the probe to my belly. For a few seconds, there’s silence as he moves the device around, searching.

Then a rhythmic, pulsing sound fills the room.

“There we go,” he murmurs with a small smile. “That’s your baby’s heartbeat.”

I don’t even realize I’m holding my breath until Gabriel exhales beside me. I turn my head just slightly, enough to see the look on his face. There’s shock, or wonder, something raw and unguarded in his eyes.

I didn’t expect to cry. I didn’t expect the wave of emotion that rushes through me at that sound. I feel like I’m going to be swept away by it, and without thinking, I reach out to seize Gabriel’s hand.

For a moment, our eyes meet. Gabriel’s fingers tighten around mine. I realize with a start that he’s tearing up too.

“Perfect,” Dr. Howard says. “Heartbeat is strong, and right where it should be.” He turns the screen toward me so that I can see the fetus, still small but unmistakably there. It’s surreal, seeing this tiny life growing inside me.

“Oh my god,” I whisper.

Gabriel leans closer, his shoulder brushing mine, and I feel the warmth of him beside me. His eyes are fixed on the screen. “That’s… that’s our baby.”

Dr. Howard keeps the probe fixed in place on my belly, indulging our disbelief and awe even though he’s clearly already seen all he needs to see. “Now, we can hear the heartbeat at this stage, but I won’t be able to tell you the sex until⁠—”

“Around eighteen weeks,” Gabriel finishes for him, nodding. “Eighteen to twenty, or as early as fourteen.”

I stare up at him, surprised. Dr. Howard raises an eyebrow. “Someone’s been doing his homework, I see,” he says. “Yes, that’s right. We’re a little ways off from that reveal.”

Dr. Howard removes the probe, then hands me a towel to wipe off the residue of the gel.

“Okay. A nurse will be in to draw some blood for a few tests, then we’ll send you on your way. Keep up with your pre-natal care, and don’t hesitate to call if you have any concerns.” He smiles warmly at us. “And I’ll see you in your second trimester for your next appointment—they’ll get you rebooked up front.”

“Thank you,” I say gratefully. The sound of my baby’s heartbeat is still echoing in my ears as Dr. Howard leaves the room, giving me and Gabriel some much-needed space.

It’s quiet between us for a few seconds, both of us still processing what we just saw. My fingers trail over my abdomen, trying to wrap my head around the incontrovertible proof that there’s a tiny person growing inside of me.

Then I break the silence, glancing over at Gabriel. “How did you know that? The eighteen to twenty weeks thing?”

Gabriel shrugs one shoulder. “I could say I remembered it from before Peyton was born, but the truth is, I’ve been reading your baby books.”