“Well, what do you have to say about it?”
She leans over, wiping away a stray tear rolling down my cheek. “I want you to be happy, and Art can’t give you that, not truly. How can you have a future with him when he’s living in the past?”
“We’ll make it work.”
“For how long? I’m not going to try to change your mind. I may not agree with your decision, but I’ll support you, regardless.”
I wrap my arms around her in a tight hug. “Thanks, Mom.”
“Give Anneli a few days. She’ll come around.”
I hate that she’s disappointed in me. Once she calms down, she’ll be ecstatic about having another godchild.
“What’s taking her so fucking long?” I pace the small room impatiently.
“Can you have a seat, please?”
“No.”
“The poor ultrasound tech is going to take one look at you and run screaming from the room.”
“It’s been twenty-five minutes already,” I growl.
“More like fifteen.”
I’ve known this day was coming for a week, but I’m still not prepared. We’re going to get the first glimpse of our baby today. I’m scared shitless. Fuck, I’m going to be a father. Babies are so goddamn tiny. I avoided holding Mason as an infant, scared he would wiggle right out of my arms. Cin refused to make an appointment with the obstetrician I chose, swearing never to go to anyone I recommended for anything ever again. Eventually, we compromised. Though this doctor isn’t the best in the area, she’s among the top three. The boys were thrilled when we told them the news. Of course, they want a little brother. I don’t care what the sex of our new addition to the family is. I just want a healthy baby. I haven’t told the old man or Josh about my pending fatherhood, and I don’t plan to for now. The last thing I need is for them to be in my business, giving unwanted advice. The door opens and a middle-aged Asian woman steps inside.
“Mr. King and Ms. Belo, please accept my apologies for the delay.”
“Your apology is not—”
“Truly it’s no problem at all,” Cin says, cutting off my tirade.
I sit in the chair next to the examination table.
“My name is Ling Hong, but you’re welcome to call me Ling.”
She asks Cin a plethora of questions, leaving my mind a little warped. I’m completely out of my element.
“A transvaginal ultrasound will need to be performed.”
“What’s that?” I ask. “All of this is new to me, so I’d appreciate it if you explained every step.”
“Sure. It’s a wand inserted into the vaginal canal. Per the first day of Ms. Belo’s last period, I’m guessing she’s maybe six weeks pregnant. At this stage the fetus is only the size of a sweet pea, so this is the best way to have a clear visual inside the uterus and determine overall development.”
I nod, acknowledging my understanding.
“Undress from the waist down and cover yourself with this.” She hands Cin a disposal drape. “I’ll give you some privacy,” she says, leaving the room.
I slap Cin on the ass when she bends over to remove her panties.
“Will you stop it?” She giggles, swatting at me.
“Well, you shouldn’t have put it in my face.”
“Keep it up and I’ll have you thrown out,” she threatens, lying back on the examination table and covering herself.
“All set?” Ling calls through the door.
