Montana Haven: A Small Town Surprise Pregnancy Romance

19. ~ Jake ~

I”m on the edge of my seat, literally. The sterile smell of the doctor”s office doesn”t calm my nerves.

Mia, radiant even amid the clinical white and blues of the room, catches my eye and gives me a reassuring smile.

She”s lying on the exam table, her hand resting gently on her belly—a protective gesture that hits me every time I see it. Our baby is over two months old, and we”ve started this incredible journey together.

Dr. Simmons, Mia”s obstetrician, enters the room with a smile, bringing with her an air of calm professionalism. ”How are we doing today, Mia? Jake?” she asks, her voice ever so comforting.

”We”re good! Excited!” I manage to say, my voice betraying the bundle of nerves I am. Mia squeezes my hand, and I draw a deep breath to calm the storm of worries raging inside me.

The ultrasound starts, and the room is filled with the sound of our baby”s heartbeat—a rapid, soothing rhythm that manages to calm and electrify me. I”m fascinated, staring at the screen where I can see our baby - a tiny, perfect mystery.

Dr. Simmons provides a running commentary, assuring us that everything looks as it should. However, I can”t shake off my anxieties.

”Dr. Simmons,” I start, my voice a bit shaky. I”ve been reading a lot about prenatal nutrition. “Should Mia focus on eating more of certain foods and less of others?”

Dr. Simmons looks up from the screen, her eyes meeting mine with an understanding look.

”That”s a great question, Jake. Mia needs to have a well-balanced diet. Focusing on fruits, vegetables, whole grains, lean protein, and dairy—or calcium-fortified alternatives if she”s lactose intolerant. Omega-3 fatty acids are also important. They”re crucial for brain development.”

I nod, mentally taking notes. ”And what about foods to avoid? I”ve heard some things about certain cheeses and seafood…”

”Yes, you”re right. Mia should avoid high-mercury fish, like sharks, swordfish, king mackerel, and tilefish. And it”s best to stay away from unpasteurized cheeses and cold cuts unless they”ve been heated until steaming,” Dr. Simmons explains, answering each of my concerns with a patience that I find both admirable and reassuring.

Mia interjects with a smile, teasing. ”Jake”s been on quite the research spree lately.”

I can”t help but chuckle, the tension easing out of me slightly. ”I just want to ensure I”m doing everything I can?”

Dr. Simmons nods understandingly. ”It”s wonderful that you”re both so involved and caring. Remember, besides nutrition, ensuring Mia stays hydrated and gets mild to moderate exercise will also be beneficial. If you have any questions, you can always call the office.”

I lean forward, curiousity and concern painting my features. ”Regarding the tests, like the blood draws and all that—will they alert us immediately if anything seems off?”

Dr. Simmons offers a reassuring smile. ” Jake, each test we conduct during Mia”s visits has a specific purpose and helps us ensure that her health, and the baby’s, are on track.”

She begins detailing. ”For instance, blood tests are a standard procedure. We”re checking for a variety of things, such as Mia”s blood type, iron levels, and any potential exposure to diseases that could affect pregnancy like rubella or chickenpox. We”re also looking at her glucose levels to screen for gestational diabetes, which is important to catch early.”

”The urine sample Mia provides at each visit,” she continues, ”helps us monitor for urinary tract infections and pre-eclampsia by checking the protein levels. It”s a simple test but incredibly important for ongoing health.”

”Ultrasounds,” she moves on, ”are probably what you”re most familiar with. They give us a real-time look at the baby, helping us monitor growth, check for developmental milestones, and sometimes even determine the sex if you”re interested. Though not every visit might include an ultrasound, we schedule them at strategic points throughout the pregnancy.”

”Another vital test we conduct is fetal heart rate monitoring. This involves listening to the baby”s heartbeat to ensure it”s strong and regular. It”s a reassuring sound for many parents-to-be.”

”And of course,” Dr. Simmons adds, ”there are screenings for genetic conditions and chromosomal abnormalities. These are optional and involve blood tests and sometimes a detailed ultrasound. They help in understanding the risk of conditions like Down syndrome.”

I listen intently, absorbing every piece of information. ”It”s a lot, but knowing what each test is for helps. It makes me feel like we”re doing everything possible to ensure everything goes smoothly.”

”Exactly,” Dr. Simmons concludes with a nod. ”And that”s the goal—monitoring, supporting, and intervening if necessary, all while keeping you informed and involved. If there are any concerns, these tests allow us to act swiftly and effectively.”

As Dr. Simmons wraps up the consultation, I stand up, feeling her warm handshake and seeing the genuine care and professionalism in her smile.

”If you have any questions, anytime, just give us a call,” she says, her voice a comforting blend of assurance and kindness as she leads us toward the door.

Walking out of the office, the bright hallway seems to echo with the new knowledge and responsibility Mia and I now carry.

Our steps, in sync, lead us toward the exit, a silent testament to our unity and shared anticipation for the future. Stepping outside, the sun, high and bright, greets us with its warmth, reminding us of the new life waiting to unfold.

As I automatically walk towards the passenger”s side of the car to open it for Mia, my mind is full of reflections from the doctor”s appointment. Mia”s playful yet earnest voice breaks the silence before I can open the door.

”Can we have biscuits and sausage gravy for lunch?” she asks, her craving evident in her voice.

I turn to her, my face smiling at her request, feeling the simplicity of the moment lighten the weight of the morning”s heavy conversations.

”Of course,” I reply, the warmth in my eyes mirroring my words. Opening my door, I settle behind the wheel, wrapped in a sense of normalcy that feels like a comforting blanket.

We sit in a cozy booth, surrounded by the comforting buzz of the diner. The aroma of brewed coffee and buttery pastries fills the air, creating an inviting atmosphere.

Mia”s eyes gleam with joy as she devours her biscuits and sausage gravy, and I can”t help but smile at her enthusiasm. Although my smothered pork chops look tempting, I”m more interested in enjoying the moment with Mia.

As I lift my fork towards my mouth, I pause and look at Mia with empathy, my mind wandering to her recent doctor”s visits. Moments like these make life worth living, and I”m grateful to be spending them with Mia.

”So,” I start, my tone casual yet laced with concern. ”How do you feel about today”s doctor”s visit? Are there any worries or questions swirling around that beautiful head of yours?”

Mia looks up, her spoon pausing mid-air, a delicate layer of gravy on her lips. She smiles softly, a look of contemplation washing over her face. ”Honestly? I”m not as nervous as I thought I”d be,” she confesses, her voice steady and sure. ”With Emily, it was so different. I felt alone because Emily”s dad wasn”t there for any of the appointments. It was just me trying to figure things out alone.”

She sets her spoon down, pushing her plate away slightly, her gaze finding mine with an intensity that sends a wave of emotion washing over me. ”But this time, it”s different. Having you there every step of the way is more comforting than you could know. I don”t feel alone. Not anymore.”

I reach across the table, enveloping her hand in mine, a gesture meant to anchor and assure. ”Mia, listen to me,” I say, my voice firm with conviction, ”I love you and our little bean. There”s nowhere else I”d rather be than by your side through every doctor”s visit, every late-night craving, and every moment in between. We”re in this together.”

”Mmm,” she hums, breaking into my thoughts. Her gaze shifts toward the window where the sun cascades over the rustic charms of our small town. ”Speaking of not being alone, Emily came home yesterday excitedly. She”s been loving those nature crafts classes at the ranch.”

I nod, a surge of pride swelling within me. ”Yeah? That”s fantastic to hear.”

Mia”s smile broadens. ”Absolutely. And guess what? She”s been invited to a sleepover. Can you believe it? Our little girl, making friends and having sleepovers.” Her voice is tinged with disbelief but underlined with pure joy.

The thought of Emily, with her bright eyes and laughter, finding her place here warms me from the inside out. ”I”m thrilled for her. She needed this, Mia. A place where she could be a kid, you know? Away from all the city chaos and closer to the land, animals, and genuine friendships.”

”And it”s all thanks to you,” she says softly, squeezing my hand across the table. ”You”ve given her—and me—a home, a sanctuary. You”ve done so much, Jake.”

Shifting uncomfortably at the praise, I deflect, ”I”ve just done what any man would do for his family.” I pause, thinking about Emily”s growth since arriving here and how her eyes light up with a new story daily. ”She”s been looking at me...well, like a dad. And I can”t even begin to tell you how much that means. It”s like I found a piece of my heart I didn”t even know was missing.”

Mia”s eyes are filled with joy, her emotions riding high. ”And then there”s Dylan,” I continue, eager to see that smile grace her lips again. Have you noticed how he follows you around? Like you”re the north star guiding him. It warms my heart that he sees you as a mother figure.”

Her laughter dances in the air, a melodic sound that fills the diner. ”I have,” she admits, a blush creeping over her cheeks. ”He”s such a sweet boy. Having him look at me in that light...it”s more than I could”ve hoped for, Jake.”

Leaning back, I take in the woman before me—her resilience, warmth, and undeniable beauty that goes beyond the physical. ”We”re building something special here, Mia. A family, a life, a future. It”s all I”ve ever wanted.”

As she smiles, her happiness enveloping us in a bubble away from the world, I can”t help but think this is precisely where I”m meant to be—with Mia and our unborn, with Emily and Dylan, in this small town that”s slowly becoming home. It”s a profound feeling that’s almost overwhelming, but in the best possible way.

She squeezes my hand in return, and for a moment, the diner, with its noises and bustling energy, fades away.