Ilayonthe exam table while cool gel is slathered on my stomach. As I thought. When I had the flu, the antibiotic I was taking canceled my birth control out.
I’m measuring at around eight weeks.
I was able to get an appointment with my OBGYN quicker than I thought I would.
The technician moves the doppler around my stomach. I know that it may not be possible to detect this early, but she smiles at me as I hear the strangest yet most beautiful sound. “Do you hear that?”
I smile and laugh. “That’s the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard.” I wish Viking were here with me and try to imagine how he’d react to hearing our baby’s heartbeat. Would he fall in love immediately like I have?
I wasn’t looking for this to happen. Didn’t plan it or even anticipate it. Using the note record feature on my phone I capture the sound so I can share it with him when he returns from rescuing his sister.
After my appointment I meet up with Wylla Mae for lunch. She’s got Mila and Milo, so I know she won’t stay long. Mila is a bit of a terror but East has her spoiled. She’s got daddy wrapped around her finger. When I arrive at the restaurant she’s already seated at a booth. Mila is in a high chair and Milo is on the other side of the bench seat in his carrier sleeping peacefully.
“Hey.” Wylla beams at me. It’s still so strange seeing her as a mother. Though she’s good at it.
“How’s my favorite stinker?” I kiss the top of Mila’s hair then slide into the booth sitting across from my bestie. “I heard the heartbeat.”
“Magical, right?”
“Never experienced anything like that.”
“Did you ask for the prescription?”
“Yea. Should be ready in a couple of hours.” Since I’ve had such a hard time keeping food down, I asked for some anti-nausea medication.
“Good. Do you know what you want?”
“Viking to come home.” I stick my tongue out at her.
“Have you heard from him?”
I shake my head and stare at the menu.
“He’ll be back before you know it.”
“Hope so.”
The server comes and we place our orders. I’m not sure if I can even eat but if not, I’ll take it home with me for later once I’ve picked my prescription up.
“You and Viking. See I told you he liked your ass.”
“Shut it.”
“I bet the second you tell him he will profess how he loves you and can’t live without you.”
I roll my eyes at her. “He’s not a mushy feelings kinda guy.”
“Don’t ruin the fantasy I’ve created for you in my head.”
“Shouldn’t I be the one imagining all these romantic scenarios?”
“Whatever,” she mutters and kicks me under the table.
“Ow. What was that for?”
“Nothing.” She grins and I shake my head.
As I thought I couldn’t eat my burger and fries though I was dying to. Milo woke up in a crabby mood. I helped Wylla with Mila while she took him to the bathroom to change him. We both ended up getting to go boxes. Milo is a colicky baby and once he starts crying it can be hours before he stops.
Wylla Mae handles it with such patience. I don’t know how she does it. I think I’d lose my mind. I love her kids and well kids in general but one thing I’ve loved the most about them is the fact that I can hand them back off to their parents. When this baby comes, I won’t have that luxury. I can’t believe I’m going to have a baby with Viking. The thought of him cradling our child in his muscular tattooed arms does things to me.
I put my leftovers in the fridge hoping I can enjoy them once this medication kicks in. There’s no way I can take my prenatal vitamin without something on my stomach.
Winston whines from upstairs and I wonder if he managed to lock himself in one of the rooms or the closet. He got stuck in the closet once when I went to the grocery store. He wasn’t in there long, but it was long enough for him to destroy one of my favorite pair of Converse.
“Winston, where are you?”
As I walk up the stairs, I get this strange sensation in the pit of my stomach. The hair on my arms stands up.
“Where are you, boy?” he whines again. I go to my room first. He likes napping on my bed. So maybe he’s in my closet again. When I enter my room, I nearly jump out of my skin. An arm coils around my waist and another cups over my mouth.
“Listen to me and do as I say, and you won’t get hurt.” I nod as my captor pushes me toward my bed. I’m shoved down roughly then released.
“What are you…how did you get in?”
Justice smiles at me but there’s something off about him. Why is he here? Where’s my dog? Why did he grab and threaten me? Oh God. He knows I’ve been using him. He has to know. The way he’s looking at me I see nothing but pure malice. “We need to talk.”
“Okay but first, where is my dog and how did you get inside my apartment?”
“The animal is in his cage. Little fucker tried to bite me. Be a shame to see him put down because he’s dangerous.” My stomach drops at his threat. “You’re bad at leaving your back door unlocked. Though I suppose that’s so your boyfriend can slip in and out undetected by the neighbors. And well me.”
“What are you talking about?”
“I’m a detective, Andrea. Did you really think I wouldn’t know that you’re using me for your piece of shit boyfriend and that gang he’s in?”
I lick my lips as heat creeps up my spine. “I think you should go. You might be a detective but you’re not above the law.”
“Cute that you believe that.”