Chapter Sixty-Seven
Come on through Elora.” Dr Cindy smiles.
I follow her into her office and we sit down.
I remember last time I was here. It was my first baby check-up and it went perfectly.
Dr Cindy is the kindest woman I've ever met.
I understand why Axe talks highly of her.
I had an ultrasound and Axe was so intrigued by the whole thing.
He literally stared at the ultrasound picture for two days.
Now it's a permanent magnet on our fridge.
“How are things?” she asks.
She doesn't even mention Axe's absence, which I'm thankful for.
“Axe and I have been fighting a lot. I'm just wondering if the pregnancy is making me more sensitive to everything around me,” I say.
“Every woman is different. But yes, it's common for your mood to change rapidly, especially if something upsets you.
Stress is a major factor that can cause problems during pregnancy, so fighting will be an added pressure.
You and Axel can come in and discuss what you're fighting about.
If you don't want to, I suggest just trying to make your home a stress-free zone.”
“As nice as that sounds, I don't think a stress-free zone is realistic. It seems everything Axe does annoys me,” I tell her.
“Are you worried that you're having a baby at a young age? Having your own worries and then the added pressure of Axel on top will just cause more stress. Or is your stress solely Axel?”
“I mean, I was nervous about having a baby young but I have Axe by my side so I'm not stressing about it. It's just... Axe did something and it's affecting me. Now it seems I'm always annoyed with him because I can't get over what he did.”
“Trust me, during a pregnancy, having a supportive partner is important. It will be a bitter journey if you push him away. I suggest trying to let go of whatever Axel did.”
“It's not as easy as that,” I mumble.
Dr Cindy and I talk for some time and she tries to give me helpful advice based on the information I give her.
I don't mention Axe killing Joel. But I'm going to try and let that go.
I think I'll always have underlying anger about that but while I'm pregnant, I just have to push all that aside and keep a positive environment so my baby stays healthy.
Maybe time heals all wounds. So at some point I will have a talk with Axe where we dish out all of our problems. I think they're too fresh to discuss now.
It will just cause fighting, stress and unnecessary bullshit.
Pushing problems further down the line probably isn't a smart idea but having this talk while pregnant isn't a smart idea either.
When I get home, Axe is in the living room, adding some more furniture. I notice a new flat screen.
“Hi,” I say, walking over to the kitchen.
“Hi, how was the appointment?” he asks, looking up from the furniture stand he's putting together.
“It was fine. Listen, while I'm pregnant, I want things to be good between us. If we have any stressful things to say or do, let's push them until I no longer have to worry about stressing out our baby,” I tell him.
“So we're good? Everything that happened... it's forgiven?” Axe asks.
“No, I'm still upset about it, but I'm choosing to set that aside for now to keep this a happy environment for our baby.”
“Okay. Well, I'll finish up in the living room soon. Do you need anything?”
“No, I might have a snack, do some light packing to prepare for the weekend and then go see my mum later.”
“If I'm not done with the furniture by then, Dash can go with you,” Axe says.
“Okay.”
I spend the rest of the day doing what I said, enjoying some food and putting some clothes in my travel bag. When it nears the usual time my mum waits for me, I tell Axe I'm going. Dash accompanies me on the run but when I get there and see Lizzy, Dash goes for a short walk to give us some privacy.
“How are you, Elora?” Lizzy asks after we throw on some clothes and sit down on the soft forest floor.
“I'm fine. Pregnancy seems to be changing things but I'm handling it.”
“Yeah, it's hard to keep on track while pregnant. All you want to do is sleep and tell people to go screw themselves,” Lizzy says, making us chuckle.
“How is the shelter?” I ask.
“It's a work in progress but it's coming together nicely. Axe has been of great help.” She smiles.
“How do you manage to get furniture and stuff?”
“As a rogue, doing immoral things are a given. We steal the things we need. But with things like electricity for our other home, since it was near Creed's old pack, they helped us by giving us a generator.”
“Creed still seems to be on good terms with his old pack. What happened there?”
“Nothing bad. It was more just drama and personal opinions that caused him to leave.”
“Do I ever get to meet Creed's son?” I ask.
“Yeah that would be lovely to have a full family dinner. But while you're pregnant, the shelter won't be ready and with Creed's son's busy schedule, I think it won't happen for a while.”
“Will you be around when I give birth or will you be back near Creed's pack?” I ask.
“Elora.” Her eyes widen. “If you want me there, I would be honoured. It doesn't matter where I am, if you want me there, just say the word.”
“It will probably just be Axe and me in the room when I give birth. But it would be nice to have a supportive woman there. Axe's parents don't really like me. His sister Carson is amazing but she just had a baby so I don't think she'll be there.”
“I'm here for as long as you'll let me stay, my baby girl.” Lizzy pulls me into her arms. I tear up when she calls me her baby girl.
I have a quick conversation with Lizzy about me going away this weekend so I won't be able to see her. She tells me to enjoy my weekend and she'll be looking forward to seeing me on Monday. I give her another hug and then I run back with Dash.