Page 29 of Dark Truth

“Yes, please.” I sighed the words out, too caught up in watching the tiny creature inside of me to speak any louder. “It’s amazing.”

“Soon we’ll be able to do a scan where you can see the face and body. It won’t be 100 percent perfect, but you’ll get an idea of what your baby looks like.”

I nodded, still engrossed in my baby. My ears were attuned to the sound of its little heartbeat, faster than my own but steady. The doctor reassured me it was normal for the baby’s heart to beat so fast, when it frightened me.

“Right, you’ll need to set up another appointment to check how things are progressing. Watch what you eat. You stopped the Topamax, right?” She looked over at me, and I nodded quickly.

“Good, it has been known to cause some issues.” She looked at me, took stock of my demeanor, and then carried on. “Cleft palette is an issue, one we need to watch for, since you were taking it during the first few weeks.”

“Cleft palette? Oh no!”

“The options for children born with cleft palette have increased over the years and can do wonders. I wouldn’t have told you, but you need to be aware, there is a possibility.”

“I didn’t know.” I’d said this so many times lately that I was starting to feel like I was in a time loop. My baby might have a deformity.

I would love it no matter what, but the news hit me hard. Especially with Dylan’s revelation. It had been two weeks since he came home, and he’d improved dramatically, but still. It had weighed on my mind, especially with the baby. How would he handle it if he stuck around?

I didn’t see why he wouldn’t; after all, I’d stuck by his side, even when I knew about his illness. Would he give me that same kind of love; I had to wonder? Deep down, I knew he would; I trusted him, after all. He was the one person I knew I could trust over the last few months. Why would he stop being the one I could go to now?

Sure, he was dealing with a lot of things right now—the new resort, his health, me, but he would have to know soon. There wasn’t any denying that.

I dressed myself after the doctor left me and went out to my car. I got in and took the folder out of my purse, the one that had the first pictures of my baby inside. Our baby, I thought as I outlined the baby’s form with my finger. Little more than a shape at the moment, but I could see where the body would form. It was real and growing, ready for life.

I started the car and drove to my favorite restaurant. I was meeting Jessi there. She was the only one who knew, although I had never quite confirmed anything to her. Like the nurse at the hospital, Jessi had intuited my pregnancy. I knew she’d ask me about it before long.

I wasn’t wrong, I found out, when she walked into the restaurant and sat beside of me.

“Have you told him yet?” It was the first thing that came out of her mouth as she leaned over to kiss my cheek.

“No. I don’t know how to. He has so much going on. I don’t even know if he’ll want it.”

“I know how you feel. How do you think I felt when I had to tell Trent I was pregnant?” I could tell from the way she sighed that she knew exactly how I felt. As if the world might come to an end once the news was out. “I can tell you, it’s better to get it over with. If you don’t, it will eat you up inside, and you’ll start to resent him. Take your time, but you’ll have to tell him soon.”

I knew she spoke from experience. It wouldn’t be easy, but I knew I had to tell him soon. Especially since the nausea had increased throughout the day. It wasn’t just the mornings now; it could hit at any time. The cravings were insane.

“Is it normal to crave Ranch salad dressing?” I asked her quietly, as I looked over the menu.

“Women crave the strangest things when they’re pregnant. I wouldn’t touch bananas usually, but I ate a ton of them while I was pregnant.” She picked up her menu and started to look it over.

“I don’t want it on salad or food. I just want to drink bowls of it.” The thought should be disgusting, but it actually made me hungry. This was all quite strange to me, and I hadn’t had anyone to talk to about it. It was nice to have someone listen now.

“I wouldn’t advise that; it can’t be good for you.” Jessi laughed. “Maybe just have some on salad, even if you don’t want the salad.”

“I guess. I know I have to eat healthy, but all I want is the salad dressing and tuna. I hate tuna. At least I liked the dressing before the pregnancy,” I mumbled and tried to find something to eat from the menu.

“Have you found out when you’re due yet?” she asked it casually, but I knew she was paying attention. Laura would be expecting her baby, and it would be nice to share the experience with her.

“I’m six weeks, so seven and a half months.” It was a question I knew I’d have to get used to.

“After Laura then. That’s good. Both of you at the same time would be a nightmare.” She laughed and joined her.

“The family would go mad. With all the babies, I doubt anyone will notice when it’s my turn.” It wasn’t a complaint, but I did feel a little sad that there might not be much excitement about my baby.

“Are you kidding? That whole stunt you pulled with getting your own place really shook your brothers up. Especially after Trent pulled his hissy fit over it.” She looked away, as if embarrassed, but then she grinned. “They’re so much more helpful now and, well, you saw them at the hospital. I think you broke that final wall they all had.”

“You think so?” I asked, eager to hear more about how my brothers had reacted to my demand for respect.

“I know so.” She took a sip of water and looked at me. “They realize their little sister felt used, and to be fair, we sisters-in-law realized it too. It was wrong of us to expect so much from you. You were right to do what you did, Emily. So right.”