“She’s moving,” Dr. Wells says, and both Noah and my eyes dart back to the screen. “Oh, look she’s waving. Hi, Mommy and Daddy.” Dr. Wells lets out a burst of laughter. “Her hands are all over the place. Look, there are her fingers.”
My bottom lip pushes out as my face crumbles from the wonder of seeing our little girl.
“She’s healthy, right?” Dad thinks to ask.
“Yes, she’s pretty active in there. Let’s find her heartbeat,” Dr. Wells replies. She twists the scanner, and then she presses a button, and a fast beat fills the air.
“Aww,” Mrs. West coos. “Such a strong beat.”
“Yeah, it’s one-forty-three, which is normal,” Dr. Wells says. “One-ten to one-sixty is average,” she explains to us.
Dr. Wells continues to point out the spine, and I can see Raspberry’s heart beating. It’s all so overwhelming, and my emotions are all over the place.
Dr. Wells moves back to Raspberry’s legs. “Yeah, it’s definitely a girl. We got a real good look there.”
I cling to Noah’s hand as we finish up.
“I’m very happy with the baby’s progress. I’ll see you in four weeks. Okay?”
“Thank you, doctor,” Noah says, his voice sounding hoarse with emotion.
“Thank you.” I can’t stop smiling as she leaves.
Noah gives me a hug before he stands back so my mom can get to me.
We all take turns hugging and laughing. It feels like my heart is overflowing with joy.
Now I just want to get better so I can go home with Noah.
Chapter 27
NOAH
The hospital room was damn busy with family and friends dropping by to check on Carla.
Back at Trinity, we walk into her bedroom. I set her hospital bag down by the foot of the bed, then I turn to face her. “Finally, I have my girls all to myself again.”
Carla’s lips instantly split into a wide smile. “I like that.” She wraps her arms around my waist and rests her cheek against my chest. “Now I have to catch up with all the work I missed.”
“It will be quick. Get on the bed while I grab my laptop.”
“Why yours?” Carla asks.
“I made easy-to-study notes for you.”
“Damn, I could’ve used the help during my senior year,” she chuckles.
I get the laptop, then sit down next to Carla, and we both lean back against the headboard. Bringing up the document, I place the device on Carla’s lap. “Just read through everything while I unpack your bag.”
“Okay.”
Getting up, I throw the clothes in the laundry basket, and I place Carla’s supplements and toiletries back in her bathroom.
“Are you hungry?”
Carla’s eyes snap to mine. “Yes, I’m in the mood for something spicy.”
“Chile-braised pork tacos?” I ask. “They’re pretty good.”
“Yeah! Get me those.” Carla thinks for a moment. “And a milkshake. Vanilla.”
“I was wondering when the cravings were going to start,” I mutter as I take out my phone to order in.
“Ooh, get me a slice of cheesecake, as well,” Carla quickly adds.
She watches as I place the order, and when I hang up, she gives me a pleased grin.
“Get to work,” I remind her as I drop down beside her again.
Carla reads over the notes for a couple of minutes, then she asks, “Don’t you need to study for your finals? You can email the document to me, then I can use my own laptop.”
Meeting her gaze, I shake my head. “Nope. I’m good.”
Carla pulls a disgruntled face, then she mutters, “So freaking unfair.”
“What?”
She lets out a huff. “That you don’t even have to study.” She turns to face me. “Do you just look at the sentence, and then you remember it?”
I gesture at the laptop. “What page are you on?”
Carla checks. “Page fourteen.”
“Pick a line.”
She frowns at me, then says, “Uhhh… nine.”
“Viability study, which consists of market analysis, technical, financial, and ecological viability.”
Carla checks the document then she scowls at me. “That was line eight and nine. Like I said, so freaking unfair.” She thinks of something that makes her smile. “I hope Raspberry gets your brains.”
I let out a chuckle. “And your looks.”
Carla moves the laptop aside, and then she turns to me. “What names do you like for a girl?”
Picking up the laptop, I push it back into her hands. “Work, Carla. When we take a break to eat, we can talk baby names.”
She scrunches her nose at me. “No fun.”
I tilt my head, and taking hold of her jaw, I press a hard kiss to her mouth. “Work.”
She gives me a playful glare before she focuses on the document.
With Carla caught up on the work she missed, I’ve made a couple of appointments for us to view houses. She’s healing nicely, and her baby bump has had a growth spurt, as well.
I’m in a hurry to get out of the suite, and with my finals only two weeks away, I want us in our own house as soon as possible.