“Yes,” Cin answers.
She comes back into the room.
“All right, let’s take a peek at your bundle of joy.” Ling covers the wand with a condom and gel. “Are you ready?”
“Ready as I’ll ever be.”
“Count to three, then take a deep breath. You’re going to feel a little pressure.”
“One, two, three.”
“See? That wasn’t too hard.”
A rapid thumping sound echoes throughout the room.
“That’s our baby’s heartbeat.” I kiss Cin’s belly.
“And a strong one it is,” Ling says.
I know I’m sporting the same silly grin as Cin.
Ling points at the screen. “Here is the chorionic and yolk sac. And this bean shape is the fetal pole.”
“It’s amazing,” I say in awe.
“The next ultrasound will be in three months. It’ll be transabdominal. Also, if you both would like, I can disclose the sex of your baby at that time. The head, torso, and limbs will be visible as well.”
“That’s an eternity.” I’ll be like a kid waiting for Christmas morning.
“Is this your first child?”
“Biologically speaking. It shows, huh?”
“Yes.” She laughs.
“I can’t wait to meet you,” Cin says, rubbing her stomach.
We ask Ling a few more questions before being given a due date and ultrasound images. I have no second thoughts or remorse for engaging in sneaky underhanded tactics to get what I wanted. I’d do it again in the blink of an eye. Cin’s misgivings about how she became pregnant evaporated when she heard our baby’s heartbeat. She’s already in love and so am I.
Spending the last several hours at the mall has left me fatigued and hungry. Since shopping online didn’t work out for me, a trip to this nightmare was in order. The worst part was undertaking the task alone. Art left for Las Vegas two days ago to help Josh with a business deal. I couldn’t chance the boys catching a glimpse of their Christmas presents, so Mom stayed home to watch them. And Anneli—we’ve spoken since the bombshell was delivered, but she’s having a difficult time processing my pregnancy and impending wedding. I understand she needs space, so I didn’t ask her to join me. She relented and called after I sent her a picture of the sonogram. Anneli wants all of this for me, just not with Art. She’s adamant in her belief he’ll hurt me. I can’t have my best friend and husband at odds. Hopefully they’ll find common ground soon. My mom ranted and raved as I described the details of my sordid arrangement with Art. It wasn’t an easy conversation to have. I make my way swiftly down the street towards a Portuguese restaurant. I’m too tired to go home and cook, so this is the next best thing.
“Cin.” I look back to see Adrian approaching.
Panic sets in before I remember Art isn’t even in the state, meaning there’s no chance he could appear and cause a scene like at the school.
“I thought that was you,” he says.
“Hey. It’s been a long time.”
“You look good.”
“Thank you. You’re not looking too bad yourself.”
“Where you headed?”
“I need food, ASAP.”
“Me too. Mind if I join you?”
