“That’s why we’re going to the hospital, to be sure.”
Zoe nodded, but her belly flipped with nerves. She put her hand on her stomach, hoping to feel the bubbling sensation that she associated with the baby’s movement, but there was nothing.
“I’m sure everything will be fine,” reassured her mom.
This baby wasn’t planned, but Zoe knew she would be devastated if something went wrong and she lost it.
The ten-minute trip in the ambulance to the Women’s and Children’s Hospital felt like it was more like an hour. The emergency section was busy, and Zoe was wheeled into a section in the corner, the curtain was drawn and she was told to wait for the doctor who would soon be here.
Her mom sat on the edge of her bed, holding her hand.
“I better tell Max,” said Zoe. “Can you pass my cell?”
“No, you need to rest.”
“It’s only a phone call.” She wanted Max by her side, and the fact that he wasn’t, made her irritable.
“I’m sure Helen and Kate will let him know.”
What the hell would they tell him.A new worry started in her mind. She shifted uncomfortably on the bed. He didn’t need to know everything. Maybe it would be better to tell him after she’d seen the doctor.
“Zoe Preston?” A female doctor poked her head through the gap in the curtains.
“Yes,” Zoe answered.
“I’m Dr. Khatri.”
Zoe smiled weakly, trying to think positive. She hadn’t felt any bubbly-like movement, only flutters of nerves.Had anything bad happened when she fell?
“Is there any bleeding?”
Zoe shook her head. That was one good sign Steph had told her in the ambulance on the way to the hospital.
“That is a good sign.”
A nurse came into the cubicle space, holding ultrasound equipment. “I’m Jean, let’s hear your baby’s heartbeat.”
Jean helped Zoe to move the material of her maxi dress, so the sensor could be pressed into her abdomen. Zoe held her breath, as a static noise came from the machine.
Then she heard it.
A faint heartbeat.
She smiled.
The baby was fine.
“That’s a good sound, isn’t it,” said Dr. Khatri.
Zoe nodded, feeling her eyes water with tears.
Everything was fine.
There was no need for all of this fussing.
“So, this is what’s going to happen. I’m going to check you in—”
“I have to stay?” Zoe interrupted, she had started to get her hopes up about going back to the hotel, ringing Max, and laughing over this incident.
