Chapter 16
Tears And Tiny Heartbeats
One Week Later
I’m no stranger to doctor appointments, but this office is different from what I’m used to.
The sterile walls and fish tank have been replaced with soft lighting and walls covered in smiling newborn photos.
The waiting area is full of other pregnant patients, most of them sitting with their partners.
One couple is huddled together, fingers intertwined as they whisper.
Another laughs over a magazine they’re browsing.
Heath is across the room at the reception desk, his brow furrowed as he provides the receptionist his health insurance details. I already filled out the new patient forms, but he insisted on handling the rest so I could take it easy.
My blood sugar dropped on the drive over, so we stopped at the corner store for some juice.
Heath noticed it before my alarm even went off.
He checked my readings at a stoplight and caught the levels starting to dip.
I’m usually scrambling to correct my glucose once it’s already out of range, so I appreciate having someone around who’s proactive about it.
He looks my way and holds up his phone, pointing at it. Seconds later, mine chimes.
Heath: You forgot to list an emergency contact.
Charlie: Figured you’d put down your info.
Heath: You sure? That’s a big deal.
Charlie: We’re married.
Heath: Sure, but according to you, it’s only on paper.
Heath: We do this, and it’s like going Facebook official for soon-to-be parents.
I smirk, shaking my head.
Charlie: You don’t strike me as someone who spent a lot of time online growing up.
Heath: No, but I picked up enough lingo from Walker and Briar.
Charlie: The receptionist is glaring. Quit stalling and add yourself as my emergency contact already.
Heath shoots me a wink before pocketing his phone and turning back to finish the paperwork.
He might be respectful of my boundaries, but that hasn’t stopped him from constantly reminding me of what I’m missing.
It’s why I’ve made multiple pros and cons lists about sleeping with him again.
As usual, the pros are stacked high, especially after how supportive he’s been this past week while I’ve been nauseous more often than not.
I watch as Heath tips his hat to the receptionist before coming over to sit beside me.
“How much was the copay?” I ask.
I’d offered to pay, but he dismissed me, insisting he’d cover it.
“Forty bucks.”
I swallow back a choked noise. “Seriously?”
He draws his brows together. “That bad?”
I shake my head. “No. It’s incredible. I used to pay three hundred for most appointments, and even more when I saw specialists.”
My deductibles were also extremely high, so it added up fast. I constantly felt like I was drowning in medical bills. It’s such a relief not to have to stress about the price of my prenatal care.
“You won’t have to worry about that anymore.” Heath promises as he slips an arm around my shoulders, and I melt into his hold, letting out a slow breath I didn’t realize I was holding. “Ready to meet our baby?”
I offer him a tentative smile. “As ready as I’ll ever be.”
“That didn’t sound very convincing. What’s on your mind?” Heath’s voice is laced with concern. “The nurse said this would be a routine appointment, remember?”
“What if something’s happened since I found out I was pregnant?” I shift in my chair, leaning closer to him. “I should have come in sooner.”
I’m not sure why I’m suddenly so anxious.
Until now, I’ve been content going with the flow and letting Heath handle the logistics.
But it just hit me that the only thing tying us together is this baby—and if it were gone, he wouldn’t have a reason to stay, and the thought alone makes me feel nauseous.
We’ve only been married for a short time, but I’ve already grown so used to his company.
Every morning, he stays in bed with me as I check my blood sugar, then adjusts my breakfast based on the reading.
And ever since the night he stayed late at the ranch, he’s made it a point to be home in the afternoons when my “morning” sickness hits like clockwork.
“Hey, none of that now,” Heath says softly, brushing a thumb along my cheek. “We’re about to hear our baby’s heartbeat for the first time. Kind of crazy, right? Until now, it’s been an abstract concept, and I’m excited for it to finally feel real.”
“Yeah, it really is,” I whisper, resting a hand over my stomach. “I’ve been placing bets on whether it’ll look like a scrunched-up alien or a wrinkly turtle. What’s your call?”
“Turtle. No question.” He laughs softly as he brushes a piece of hair from my face. “They’re tiny and have the cutest squishy faces. What’s not to love?”
Be still my heart.
I remind myself that now isn’t the time to let my hormones run wild. Yes, it’s incredibly sweet that he’s basically saying he already loves our baby. That doesn’t mean I should throw caution to the wind and beg him to pin me down and fuck me—absolutely not.
“Charlie Halstead.”
Heath and I turn to the woman standing in the doorway leading to the back, wearing pink scrubs and holding a tablet.
“That’s us,” Heath says, standing.
He extends his hand, helping me to my feet before grabbing my purse.
I know better than to suggest I carry it after his disapproving reaction when I tried earlier.
I’m not complaining, though. It’s rather comical watching the gruff cowboy carry a floral purse.
If he keeps this up, I’m totally getting him a sparkly pink diaper bag.
“My name’s Katie, and I’ll be your ultrasound tech today. We’ll be in exam room three,” the tech says as she leads us down the hall. She stops by the door and gestures for us to enter. “Mama, go ahead and lie on the exam table for me. Dad, you can have a seat in that chair next to her.”
I blink, stunned to hear those names out loud for the first time. Somehow, it makes the reality of us becoming parents much more real.
The exam table is tilted so I’m propped up at a slight angle once I’m settled.
I wait while Katie retrieves a bottle from a small warmer on the counter, then pulls up a stool next to the ultrasound machine.
“Let’s get right to it, shall we?” she says with a warm smile. “I’ll have you lift your shirt so I can put some gel on your stomach. Don’t worry, it’s warm.”
“Okay.”
I lift my shirt and unclip my insulin pump, moving it to the side so the tubing is out of the way. I stay perfectly still as Katie applies the gel, watching it spread across my skin while she slowly glides the probe over my abdomen. After a few seconds, she shifts it slightly lower.
The room is so quiet you could hear a pin drop. Katie’s eyes narrow at the screen as she makes another small adjustment to the right. My heart hammers in my chest as panic creeps in, my mind instantly jumping to the worst-case scenario.
I search the screen for any sign of a tiny human, but I see nothing. I’m struck by how fiercely protective I feel over someone I haven’t met yet. I realize nothing matters more than knowing our little peanut is okay.
“Everything okay?” I ask, my voice rising.
“Bear with me for just a minute,” Katie says calmly, adjusting the angle again.
I’m on the verge of tears when Heath’s warm hand wraps around mine, grounding me instantly. I glance over to find him offering me a reassuring smile as he presses a kiss to my palm.
“I’ve got you,” he murmurs.
The panic doesn’t disappear completely, but it fades into the background under the steady comfort of his touch—a silent reminder that whatever happens, I’m not in this alone.
Katie makes another small adjustment, the image flickering on the screen as a whooshing rhythm fills the speaker. A flood of relief spreads through me when it’s followed by a rapid thumping that echoes through the room.
“There we go, mama. That’s one strong heartbeat,” she exclaims, easing the probe slightly.
Heath shifts forward, pressing a kiss to my forehead. “See, Charlie? Our baby’s just fine.”
A tear slips down my cheek. “I’ve never heard a more perfect sound.”
He wipes it away with his thumb before looking back at the screen. “Me either. Definitely the cutest wrinkly turtle I’ve ever seen.”
Katie casts us a sideways glance but doesn’t comment on our comparing our baby to a reptile.
I cover my mouth as a bubble of laughter escapes.
Heath watches me with a soft grin, his thumb stroking my cheek.
I’ve never seen him so carefree and relaxed, and the sight does dangerous things to my already fragile heart.
I haven’t been this happy in ages, and it’s all because of him, and this tiny life we created.
Katie patiently waits for me to stop moving before continuing the scan. “There’s the head, and you can see a little hand tucked against the baby’s face,” she explains, pointing at the monitor. “I’ll grab a few snapshots to print so you can take them home.”
I nod eagerly. “We’d love that.”
Our baby’s heartbeat continues its steady rhythm in the background as Katie repositions the wand and taps the screen to freeze the frame. With each change of angle, I’m left in awe, eager to memorize every detail so I can hold on to this moment forever.
Once she finishes, she prints the images and pulls them from the tray beneath the monitor.
Katie grins as she hands them to me. “Here you go, mama.”
“Thank you,” I murmur, clutching them to my chest like a lifeline.
These small images are proof that I’m really going to be a mom.
While I’m busy admiring my baby, Katie wipes the gel from my stomach and returns the probe to its cradle.
She stands and grabs her tablet from the counter. “I’ve sent everything over to the doctor. She’ll review your chart and come in and talk with you in a few minutes.”
“Sounds great, thanks again,” I say.
“Yeah, thank you.” Heath echoes. “You made this process a lot easier for both of us. We appreciate it.”
“My pleasure.” Katie turns to me with a grin. “You picked a good one, Mama. This one’s a keeper.”
My gaze shifts to Heath, his eyes crinkled at the corners. “Yes, he is.”
As if to prove my point, he reaches over and tugs my shirt down, carefully adjusting the tubing from my insulin pump so it lies flat against my side.
I’m only vaguely aware of Katie slipping out of the room and closing the door behind her.
Heath doesn’t look away from me as he stands and moves to sit on the edge of the exam table beside me.
I shift over to make room, though it’s a tight fit.
Our thighs press together, and his body heat radiates against my side.
He leans his head against the exam table, his breath warm against my temple.
“I’m glad I could be here for this,” he murmurs.
“So am I… I wouldn’t have wanted to do without you,” I admit softly.
It’s almost laughable now that I thought I could do this alone. I couldn’t have imagined sitting here while Katie searched for the heartbeat without Heath to reassure me.
“And here I thought you were just using me as arm candy this whole time,” he teases.
I shake my head, chuckling. “Don’t forget about the free lattes, professional blowouts, and your cooking. I don’t think I would have survived this pregnancy without your omelets. Pretty sure they’re my first real craving.”
He reaches over to cradle my face. “Don’t worry, sweetheart. You won’t have to.”
Heath is so close that our lips are barely an inch apart. He pauses there, his eyes dark, and dangerously focused on my mouth as if he’s waiting for me to close the final distance. A reminder of his promise that when we cross that line again, I have to be the one to make the first move.
My fingers curl around his collar. “What are we doing, Heath?”
“Not sure about you, but I’m waiting for my wife to kiss me.”
I press my thighs together, heat pooling low in my belly.
God, why does him claiming me as his wife make me so hot and bothered?
He said he wouldn’t fuck me until I was ready to admit my feelings, but he never did say anything about kissing. I might still be on the fence about what comes next, but that doesn’t mean we can’t have a little fun in the meantime.
What could a little kiss hurt anyway? Just to see if it’s really good as I remember—or if him being off-limits has clouded my memory of our night together. Sure, it could complicate things further, but I’m perfectly capable of keeping my emotions separate from my impulses… at least I hope so.
Either way, I’m about to find out.
I plant a tentative kiss on the corner of his mouth, butterflies erupting in my stomach. Heath’s hand moves to my waist, holding me firmly against him as I kiss the same spot again. This time I linger, and he stays perfectly still, as if he’s scared he’ll spook me if he moves.
I catch his bottom lip between mine and give him a teasing nip. He groans softly, and that’s all the invitation he needs. His mouth crashes down on mine in a fierce, hungry kiss. I thread my fingers into his hair, drawing him closer as he takes control, kissing me harder—deep and consuming.
“I feel like I’ve waited an eternity for these lips,” he says, his voice husky.
“Now who’s being the dramatic one?” I answer with a mischievous smile.
His chest rises and falls as his deep brown eyes meet mine. His hair falls in tousled waves across his forehead, and all I want to do is lose myself in him again—consequences be damned.
Heath pulls back slightly and lifts my hand to his mouth, pressing a tender kiss against my palm.
“Thank you,” he whispers, his gaze shifting to the sonogram of our baby that I’m still clutching tightly.
It’s at this point I have to admit everything has changed, and there’s no going back to the way things were before.