Gray had kept his promise. He let me choose the doctor I wanted to care for me throughout the duration of my pregnancy. I got up and took a quick shower, cleaning myself up and brushing my teeth. I pulled on something comfortable, since I didn’t really know what to expect from the appointment. A simple pair of cotton underwear and a dress that would be easy to maneuver up or down, depending on what the doctor took a look at. Gray accompanied me into the office and continued to stay attentive. He asked me how my nausea was doing and helped me in and out of his car.
It was nice, but it was also spacious. But I didn’t want space between us. I didn’t want cordial, either. I wanted the passion we had shared in Stillsville. The raw necessity we exposed ourselves to in the outbuilding just a few days ago.
That was what I wanted with him.
Not this polite dance we were doing as we tiptoed around each other.
“All right, Miss Danforth. I collected your records from the clinic in Williston and it looks like things are going pretty smoothly. How’s that nausea of yours?” the doctor asked.
“Letting up a bit, actually. But my exhaustion is getting worse.”
“And unfortunately, that won’t get any better. The only thing I can tell you to do is rest when your body needs it. But, if you begin sleeping so much that you aren’t waking to eat or drink, come see me immediately. Okay?”
“Got it,” I said.
“Will we be seeing the baby today?” Gray asked.
I looked up at him and saw excitement bubbling in his eyes. Was it possible he really was happy about this child?
“Yes. We’ll draw blood to see that her vitamin levels and blood counts are in order, and make sure nothing else is amiss, then we’ll prep her for an ultrasound. Will you be there?” the doctor asked.
“I’d be nowhere else,” Gray said.
My heart fluttered at his words.
They took my blood before leading me back into a darkened room where my dress was rolled up. I felt embarrassed at laying there in nothing but my underwear and my dress hiked up to my boobs, but Gray held my hand steadily as the cold gel was squirted onto my skin. I hadn’t even experienced this yet. I hadn’t even heard a heartbeat. The wand hit my stomach and I squeezed Gray’s hand, and mindlessly his lips came down to my forehead.
“Relax. It’s okay. I’m right here,” he said.
At first, there was no sound. Just a fuzzy picture and the technician pushing at some buttons. Anxiety pooled in my gut. Was something wrong? My mind began to spin with all sorts of insane things. Maybe I wasn’t pregnant after all? Or maybe it was ectopic? I figured I’d be in pain if it was ectopic, but what if—
A rhythmic beating sound interrupted my train of thought and I felt Gray squeeze my hand even tighter. My eyes panned over to the screen as the technician began grabbing screenshots and my eyes glazed over with tears. Right there, in the center of the screen, was a small sac with a little bean bouncing around in it.
“There it is,” she said. “That’s your little one.”
My eyes widened with awe before I looked up at Gray’s face. I went to say his name, but the look in his eyes stopped my voice in my throat. The look of wonder and happiness sparkling across his features almost broke my heart. I turned my head back to the screen as tears filled my eyes, watching that small bean jump around like it had been shot up with all the caffeine in the world.
Our child.
That was our child on the screen.
With each rhythmic beat, tears rushed my skin. I wanted more than anything at that moment to be a real family. With the happiness in Gray’s face and the love already blooming in my heart for this helpless little child, all I could think about was doing anything I could to keep our family together. To keep us under the same roof so we could love one another like we all deserved. I wanted to give this to Gray. I wanted to give him the love and the family he never had.
He deserved it, I deserved it, and our child deserved it.
I love you, little one. And I will fight for your father so you can have the family you deserve.
Chapter 21
Grayson
I couldn’t believe what I was hearing. The heartbeat was strong and steady. And it came from inside Michelle’s body. From the child growing within her body. The sound both amazed and terrified me. Thoughts swirled around in my mind before careening to a grinding halt. My eyes dropped to Michelle and I found her looking at me. Studying me before she grinned and turned her eyes back to the screen. The way she glowed and the aura that poured from her seemed to radiate internally. The happiness that danced around in her teary gaze was something I felt all too much in my chest.
My eyes lifted back up to the screen as the doctor finished up the ultrasound.
I was in a daze for the rest of the appointment. I heard Michelle and the doctor talking, but I couldn’t process what they were saying. That rhythmic thumping was still in my head. Pushing me forward and pulling me back all at the same time. I escorted Michelle out of the doctor’s office after scheduling another appointment, then the two of us headed back to my home in silence.
I snuck glances at her, watching as her eyes gazed out the window of my car. Michelle had been strangely quiet throughout the entire ride, and I wished I knew what she was thinking. Hell, I wish I felt in a position to ask her what she was thinking. But I didn’t know if I was ready to hear the answer yet. Something in my gut told me to keep my mouth shut, so I did. And the more silent she became, the louder my mind screamed.