“Perfect. We’re done. I’ll wait for you in room 5 for an ultrasound, and then you’re free to go.”
Danny turns around, thinking I was already dressed, and our eyes meet for a few seconds. I feel his gaze as it goes down my neck, breasts, and hip, where I have a huge bruise. His eyes turn dark, and I see him clench his fists. I turn around instinctively and feel it approaching.
“No. Please. I don’t need to be pitied.”
He hugs me from behind, and my body trembles at the contact. “Baby, I love you. Let’s make sure that this…” His fingers touch my neck. “And this…” His fingers fall on my side. “Never happen again. And above all that, this…” He caresses my belly with both hands. “Is always safe and surrounded by all the love in the world.”
I lean on him. After a while, he steps away and helps me get dressed. Then we go to the ultrasound.
Seeing that little creature fills my heart with joy but also with fear. I’m terrified of what could happen with Jeremy.
The doctor gives us the discharge papers.
I’m eight weeks pregnant. The delay in my period wasn’t due to stress, apparently.
We head home. As soon as I enter, I encounter the smell of vanilla that makes my stomach turn. I run to the bathroom. Danny follows me, worried.
“Baby, is everything okay? Should I take you back to the hospital?”
“Please open the windows. It’s that damn vanilla scent I can’t stand.”
“Can I leave you alone for a moment? Time to open the windows, and then I’ll be back.”
“Sure,” I reply as I rinse my mouth.
I hear the phone ring and leave the bathroom. Danny has already answered it and is explaining everything the doctor told us.
“Yup. About eight weeks, and she must stay in bed for at least a week. Her rib is cracked. She was lucky…Of course I’ll tell her. She sees me coming. Wait, Jeremy, I’ll put you on speakerphone. Here she is.”
“Hello, love. How are you feeling?”
“I could be better, but I’m home, so I’m fine.”
“I’m so sorry about the fight.”
Danny looks at me, angry.
“Tomorrow I’m calling the cleaning company,” I say. “I want the house thoroughly cleaned. And Jeremy, if I smell that damn vanilla scent even a little, I’m off!”
“Still with this fucking story. Stop it! Call and make them come. Tomorrow my mother will come to stay with you. Unfortunately, she has some commitments today. She’ll just stop by to check up on you.”
“I don’t want her here. If she comes, I’ll go to a hotel for a week.”
“Don’t be silly. I’ll be back as soon as possible, and you can’t be alone.”
“I’ll survive.”
“That’s enough!” he yells at me.
“Guys, there’s no need to argue,” Danny says. “Jeremy, I can stay here with her until you return.”
Jeremy laughs. “No, thank you, but it wouldn’t be appropriate.”
Danny writes something on a piece of paper and shows it to me: “Hold my game.”
“Look, it wouldn’t be a bother for me,” Danny says.
“Danny, with all due respect, she’s my wife, and no one in their right mind would leave her alone with another man.”
