Chapter 20
Chapter Twenty
Romy
Beau pulled it off. Not that I’m surprised. The man moves people and things around like they’re chess pieces. He’s so good at what he does that I understand why he’s been with Zander for so long.
Somehow, nobody follows us to the doctor’s office. I picked one a couple towns over because I was worried about anybody finding out. I didn’t want to go all the way to Lincoln—Briar had done that—because more people would probably recognize Zander if we were up there.
We snuck in the back door. The nurse seemed slightly annoyed but then went a little fangirlish over Zander once she figured out who the celebrity was.
Beau had already called ahead and had everybody sign non-disclosure agreements and confidentiality forms. They probably each had to sign their life away in order for Zander to accompany me.
Now that we’re in the room, reality hits me that I’m going to have to take off my skirt in front of Zander. Although we’re not actually a couple, he’s seen me naked, so does it really matter?
“I can duck out if you want privacy,” he says, clearly seeing me stare at the paper sheet that’s supposed to cover my hoo-ha.
“No, no, it’s fine. Just… can you turn around and face the corner?”
“Like I’m in timeout?” He circles around.
“Now you know what our kid will feel like when we put him or her in timeout,” I say, joking. That’s another thing we will eventually have to talk about. Do we agree on punishment tactics for our child?
I hurriedly strip off my skirt and underwear and hop up on the table. The paper sheet crinkles every time I wiggle.
“Man, this is not a great view right now.”
I glance over my shoulder. Zander is facing the posters showing the stages of pregnancy.
“Snap a picture for Beau. Let him know that I’m going to show a lot earlier than eight months. When does that woman’s stomach finally start to show a little bit of a bump?”
Zander laughs. “I think you might pop any day.”
“I probably have a little bit to wait. They say with your first baby, you don’t show as fast—at least that’s what I’ve heard. You can turn around now.”
He circles, eyes finding me on the bed. “Man, there’re been times I’ve dreamed of you in this position, but this is a little too sterile an environment even for me.”
I decide to play along and keep things light. This is good that we can joke and communicate about what went down between us, right?
“That’s sweet of you to say. But you never really had me in this position, did you?”
“I had you in this position.” He says it with certainty.
I’m sure he’s confusing me with someone else. “I don’t know. I feel like half the time you were always taking me up against walls and furniture.”
His eyes heat, and I feel his desire in my bones. The explosive sex between us was not easily forgettable.
“I had you lying down more than once. I’m offended you don’t remember.” His jaw is tight, and his voice has dipped low.
I swallow down the butterflies, telling myself it’s just nerves about the exam. When the knock comes, relief floods my bloodstream since we can now push away this topic.
“Hello, I am Dr. Rojas. How are you guys today?”
She shakes both of our hands, gives Zander an extra-long look, then goes to the sink.
“So, am I supposed to pretend like I don’t know who you are? I mean, I had my lawyer check over all the paperwork because I don’t want to get sued, and he didn’t mention anything about that.” She washes her hands, dries them, then faces us.
Neither of us answer her.
Her eyebrows raise. “But seriously, am I supposed to act like I don’t know that you’re Zander Shaw?”
He smiles. “Not at all. I’m sorry for all the trouble. I’m sure this isn’t what you were planning today, so I apologize. But these are extenuating circumstances, and we just want to make sure that this doesn’t get out.”
“Of course. I’ve spoken with your manager, Beau, on the phone.
He’s definitely… something. We’ve only told the one nurse—my head nurse, my most trusted—and she’s the one who brought you in.
Nobody else will know you were ever here.
And you know what, to make this even better, I think from now on we’ll do after-hours visits. Does that sound good?”
“That would be great.” I smile at her. “Are you sure though? I’d hate to keep you after just because of us.” I look at Zander for confirmation.
He nods.
“Nonsense.” She waves off my concern. “As long as I can bring my husband just one time to introduce you to him. He’ll sign the paperwork too.” She winks, and I’m not sure if she’s serious or not.
Zander chuckles. “No problem. Thanks for accommodating us. We really appreciate it.”
She smiles at us. She’s the cutest woman, petite with short dark hair and the kindest smile. “Okay, enough of the legal nonsense. I’ve had plenty of it today. No offense.”
“None taken.” Zander raises his hands.
“All right, let me get a little bit of information. I’ll keep your chart locked in my private office cabinet, so nobody else will have access to it, and I’ll give you my private number.
I can’t guarantee the same level of privacy at the hospital, but let’s cross that bridge when we come to it.
For now—Romy, when was your last period? ”
I tell her. “I think I’m six weeks, maybe seven weeks, along.”
“Okay, so you’re not too late. And no bleeding?”
“No.”
“Isn’t that the issue?” Zander asks.
Dr. Rojas offers him an assuring smile. “I just want to make sure there was no bleeding after she found out she was pregnant.”
Zander looks at me. “Right. Blood’s not good right now.”
I run my fingers down his forearm, and he winds his hand around mine, gripping it as though he needs the anchor.
“All right, so are you guys—well, you know what, that’s not my business. Anyway, the urine sample you gave does indeed show that you are pregnant, Romy. Congratulations.”
We smile at her.
“That was very anti-climactic, you two.” She sits on the stool and slides closer. “I’ll send in for bloodwork, just to make sure. And while we’re here, I’d like to do an exam and then an ultrasound. Who knows—maybe we’ll see something.”
We nod, and Zander squeezes my hand as if he’s just as excited as I am.
“Great. Do you want Zander to stay for the pelvic exam?”
I glance up at him, and he looks down at me. This is so awkward.
“Up to you,” he says.
“Just stay north of the border.” I motion for him to move a little more toward my head.
“Deal.” He stays by my head while she wheels between my legs.
After she does the exam, she wheels back out.
“Everything looks great. Okay, I’m going to do the ultrasound. Are you ready?” She turns on the machine in the corner. “It’ll be a transvaginal one, not over the stomach. Still too early for that.” She stands up, takes off her gloves, and washes her hands again.
“Okay.”
“Zander, can you turn down the lights a little bit?”
He does, and the monitor screen glows. This is the moment I’m going to see my baby. Layers of anxiety stack inside me like bricks.
“Have you ever had one of these before, Romy?” she asks.
“No, I haven’t.” I eye the dildo-looking wand.
“That’s for the ultrasound?” Zander asks, his gaze shifting from her to me.
“Yes.” She squirts lube on it.
I remember Briar telling me a story about Emmett when he accompanied her to one of her OBGYN appointments and how lost he was.
Zander watches every move she makes, awe on his face, as she slides it inside me and turns toward the screen. All I see is a big black dot.
“I don’t see the baby. There’s no baby. You said she was pregnant.” There’s an edge of panic in Zander’s voice as he squints at the screen.
Dr. Rojas points at a spot on the screen. “You see this little white dot here? The one that’s kind of flickering? That’s your baby.”
“That’s our baby?” Zander asks, surprise in his tone.
“Did you think it just grew the head and hands automatically? It’s a process.” I give him an amused smile.
“I get that it’s a process, but it looks like a pea. That poster said it should look like a kidney bean at eight weeks. But that’s a pea. Is there something wrong?”
“The baby is the size of a raspberry right now. If you want, I can send you home with a pamphlet and recommend some books.”
“Yeah, I’ve already got some books on my phone I’ve been checking out. I trust you. If you say that’s the baby, that’s the baby.” Zander doesn’t remove his gaze from the screen.
But then, the heartbeat rings out in the room.
“Oh my god.” My eyes widen, and Dr. Rojas gives me a small nod and smile.
Zander freezes, his gaze shooting to mine. Unbidden, tears flow down my cheeks.
“Heartbeat is strong. That little raspberry is doing great.” Dr. Rojas takes some pictures with the machine while Zander and I look at each other.
“Holy shit,” Zander whispers, gripping my hand tighter. “Goddamn… fuck.” He pauses. “Crap. I’ve got to clean up my language. I can’t have our baby’s first word be fuck.” He looks at me with conviction. “I promise you, Romy. It’s not going to come out saying fuck.”
I giggle. “I hope not.”
We return our attention to the screen, listening to the heartbeat in awe. This all just got a whole lot more real.