36. Chapter Thirty-Six
Chapter Thirty-Six
Grayson
“Are you nervous?” I ask as Laynie gets settled into the passenger seat. Peeling out onto the main road, I rest a hand on the wheel, the other on the window as we make our way to Rafter’s Falls.
“A little bit,” she admits quietly.
Glancing sideways at her, the seatbelt is curved around her stomach. She’s still fitting into her overalls, which I know she has multiple pairs of. Apart from my birthday party, all she wears are denim overalls and sweatpants, and I like it.
I did like her in that dress, though. Maybe a little too much…
“Can you see it clearly on the screen?” I ask curiously.
Her gaze meets mine and she nods excitedly. “I’ve been reading some books on it that Paisley’s mum dropped off at my place. My baby should be around the size of a banana.”
My lips pull into a grin as she bites her lip, cheeks blooming with heat. Her head tilts forward a little and she focuses on her fingernails, picking at nail polish like she does when she’s anxious.
I cover her hand with my own and give a small reassuring squeeze. “There’s nothing to worry about, Biscuit. I’m sure everything will be fine.”
“I know,” Laynie whispers, but I can hear the faint anguish in her tone. “I just worry, that’s all. There could be thi—”
“Laynie, you don’t need to think about that.
You don’t need to be anxious about something that most likely won’t be true,” I let out gently, flicking my gaze onto her.
Her eyes are wide and stiff, much like the rest of her.
I rub my thumb over the back of her hand to give her something tangible to grab onto to.
“If something happens, then we’ll worry about it, but right now, you should just relax and be happy that you’re going in. ”
Her throat works, and I look back at the road. “Thank you. I needed to hear that.” She blows out a slow breath, her fingers tangling through mine.
Laynie flicks on the radio, switching channels to her favourite low-fi beats. Leaning back, she peers out the window, watching rain drops fall and run as we get closer to the clinic. As soon as we pull up, her fingernails dig into my skin, and I have to keep myself from wincing.
“Ready?” I ask, my voice a little rougher than usual.
She nods, her throat bobbing, but she makes no move to get out.
Slipping out, I walk to her side and open the passenger door. She takes her time, possibly mentally preparing herself as she does when she’s on the verge of panicking, so I let her take her time.
It’s a good thing we got here earlier than the appointment time.
Holding out my hand, she takes it, and I help her out of the car, grabbing her bag off the floor before locking up the ute.
Hand securely on her back, I walk with her into the clinic.
As soon as we pass through the doors, there’s people moving about, noises sounding and a lot of white. White doors. White walls. White scrubs.
I don’t like hospitals, but I have to remind myself I’m here for Laynie.
Guiding her towards the reception desk, the nurse checks us in and tells us which examination room we’ll be in. Following her down the bleak hallway, the nurse holds open the door to an empty room.
“Fiona will be in shortly. She’s just finishing up something else. You’re welcome to get settled.”
“Thank you,” I let out, and as soon as the door closes, Laynie lets out a shaky breath. “You feeling okay?”
She nods quickly, moving between her feet, her hands scrunching and unscrunching.
“Are you going to—”
“I have to pee,” she murmurs.
That makes my eyebrows jump. I was not expecting that. “Maybe you should go now, then?”
She shakes her head. “It’s for the ultrasound, but it’s a lot of water,” she informs me before muttering under her breath for Fiona to hurry up.
Laynie lays down on the examination table, and I take a seat beside her. It’s not that comfortable, but I’m not going to complain. At least I’m not needing to go to the bathroom like Laynie is.
“Just try not to think about it.”
The scoff that escapes her throat is loud and sharp, making me smile. “That’s like bleeding to death and trying not to notice. What a ridiculous saying.”
I shrug. “I was just trying to help.”
Crystal blue eyes meet mine, and her pink lips curve in the corners. “I know. Thank you, Blondie.”
Sitting up, she undoes the buttons holding her overalls in place.
They fall down, and she shimmies the bottom down to reveal her abdomen before lying back and reaching for my hand.
As soon as she does, the door swings open, and in walks who I’m assuming is Fiona.
A tall, dark, willowy woman with ink black hair and almost as dark irises.
Her smile is bright and inviting as she takes a seat beside the machine.
“Lovely to see you again, Laynie.” She turns her attention to me. “And you’ve brought someone else with you this time.”
I can’t quite tell if she’s surprised or questioning my presence, but either way, I nod and hold out my hand. “Grayson Lawson. I’m Laynie’s boyfriend.”
It feels satisfying saying that.
I swallow, and Laynie squeezes my fingers. “He’s going to be coming with me from now on.”
The beating of my heart amplifies at her words. Fiona grins. “Well, that’s lovely to hear. Now, I have some questions to ask you before we start the scan. Do you have any discomfort?”
Laynie nods, and I listen. “In my lower back sometimes.”
Fiona nods knowingly. “That happens, and it’ll get worse the further along you are. Try sleeping on your side now. Are you feeling shortness of breath?”
“Not yet.”
“Any strange discharge?”
Laynie’s head shakes.
“Any movement?” Fiona asks.
Her smile grows. “I have. The other night it happened when I was with Grayson.”
That brings heat to my face, but Fiona’s brows twitch, lowering my spirits. “Any other time?”
Laynie thinks for a moment. “One other time when I was at home on the couch.”
Fiona’s quietness unsettles me, and Laynie shifts on the table, so I hold her tighter.
“We’ll have a look now then, but normally we would like some more movement by this stage.”
The sound that comes from Laynie is high and sharp, and I lean closer, kissing her temple. “Don’t worry, okay. There’s no need to panic,” I murmur.
She dips her chin, but from the jiggling of her foot and tapping of her loose fingers, I can tell that she’s getting more anxious by the second.
“He’s right. There’s no need to worry until we have a thorough check.”
The machine beeps, signalling that it’s switched on and heating up.
Laynie sighs vexingly. Her fingers grip mine to the point that I fear I might lose circulation, but I don’t say anything.
She’s nervous, and I want her to feel as comfortable as possible.
If that means I lose feeling in my hand, then so be it.
Fiona squirts something on her stomach. Laynie blanches for a second before the probe is lowered and Fiona gets to work. I stare at the screen, wondering what on earth I’m looking at. It’s all grey and… lumpy. Yikes.
A couple of seconds later, the baby shape takes forms on the screen. I feel my jaw slacken, my eyes burning as I stare right at it. It’s so tiny, with little stubby fingers and ten miniscule toes. A tiny face and belly.
Crap. If it’s cute now, how much cuter will it be once it’s born?
Moisture prickles at my eyes, either from the sight or the fact that I’m not blinking. I prefer the first option. Pulse beating rapidly, I smile as a tear slips down my cheek, matching Laynie’s.
This really is miraculous.