“How have you been feeling, Savannah? I know a few weeks ago you were experiencing a lot of unpleasant symptoms.”
“Yes, there were a few weeks there where I was feeling sick and exhausted constantly. My chest is still pretty sore. But I’m feeling much better now. This last week has actually been okay.” I glanced at Max. He was listening intently.
“Good, good. That’s all good news. I know many women get concerned if they experience a lot of discomfort in the first trimester, but it’s actually a good sign—it means your hormone levels are high, which means your baby is strong.”
“Really?” I was surprised at the relief in my voice. I hadn’t realized I’d been concerned, but just hearing the doctor’s reassuring words was triggering unexpected emotions.
“Yes. All your test results will be uploaded to the patient portal in the next few days, but everything is looking really good so far.” She squeezed my hand for a moment. Mom beamed at me. “Now, shall we listen to your baby’s heartbeat?”
Max’s eyes widened.
“Yes, we’d love to.” I smiled.
I raised my gown again as the doctor moved the doppler device around on my lower stomach. For the first time, I noticed that my shape had definitely changed; my stomach had a slight, rounded slope around my navel.
I was starting to show.
My body’s making room for baby.A happy tear slid down my face and into the crook of my neck as I looked down at my belly. It wasn’t happening with Jason, but right now, that didn’t seem to matter quite as much.
A strange sound filled the room—similar to a skipping record, but very fast. I watched Max as he covered his mouth in disbelief.
“Listen to that heartbeat!” Dr. Quinlan smiled. “Everything sounds fantastic—nice and strong.” She looked back and forth between me and Max. Our eyes met and we gave each other a tiny smile. Then I quickly averted my eyes as I felt myself getting shy at the profound intimacy of the moment. “You should be very happy, Savannah.” She removed the doppler and handed me tissues to wipe the goo off my belly. “Let’s set up your next appointment, for an ultrasound, anywhere between eighteen and twenty weeks. In the meantime, just message me if you have any questions or concerns.”
“Thank you.” I sat up.
Mom stepped forward and put her hand on Max’s arm. “Why don’t we give Savannah some privacy now so she can get dressed.”
He threw me a smile as they exited the room.
Max pulled his car up to the curb outside my office and came around to open the door for me. Before I could thank him, he pulled me into a tight hug. I could smell his shampoo andaftershave. I blushed as I realized how much I liked the scent of him. Memories of the few nights we’d spent together flitted through my mind, unbidden.
“Thank you so much for inviting me today. It really means a lot.” He gave me an intense look. “This is getting so real.”
“I know what you mean. And I’m really glad you came today, Max.”
He glanced up at my office building. “So, do your coworkers know yet?”
I sighed. “No … I’ve been trying to avoid telling them for as long as I can. I just got put on this new client project and there’s a chance I could be named account manager, which would mean a raise, which I could really use to help with the baby. I’m afraid that being pregnant would be a mark against me.”
“How much longer do you think you’ll be able to hide it?”
I laughed. “Probably not much longer—it was kind of obvious in the doctor’s office today that my stomach is starting to grow.” It was true—as of now my pants fit, but they were starting to feel tight.
Max looked down at my waist as I said that, then blushed and looked away, running a hand through his hair.
“Well, I’ll let you get back to work then. Talk to you soon?”
“Definitely.”
The following week, I was getting dressed for work—or trying to, anyway—when I realized my pants simply would not button. I struggled out of them and threw them on the floor in frustration. I threw myself back on my bed and stared up at the ceiling.
The time had finally come. I was going to have to buy some maternity clothes.
I’d been dreading this day, and not just for the price tag that was bound to come with it. This milestone meant that soon,people were going to figure it out. People like my coworkers, my neighbors, my extended friend circle.
What am I going to tell everyone? The truth? That I had a lukewarm fling with a guy I met at a bar, and now I’m having his baby? And no, we’re aren’t going to be together, because he decided to get back together with his ex?
It was obviously not Jason’s baby, since we’d been broken up for more than a year, and I couldn’t invent some serious boyfriend that didn’t exist. The truth really was the only plausible explanation.
