Franky stared at me, willing me not to look.
Eyebrow raise from moi. You couldn’t pay me to turn the other way.
She was thicker than the last time I’d seen her naked, more round, and her skin had stretched slightly to accommodate Super Kid. Color flushed her cheeks, though that might be because the gel Dr. Patel applied was cold, not embarrassment at me seeing her increasing size.
I caught her eye and mouthed, “So. Hot.”
She shook her head, reddened, and did that thing where she tried to pretend that I wasn’t the most annoying person in the room. Within a couple of seconds, her gaze found mine again, probably because I was irresistible.
“Beautiful,” I murmured, because she was, and I needed her to know, even if she didn’t take me seriously.
“And there we are,” Dr. P. said after a couple of moments. “Mom and Dad, meet your baby.”
Dragging my eyes away from Franky, I focused on the black-and-white screen image, which seemed to pulsate in step with my heartbeat. Then I realized that was the baby’s.
My baby has a heartbeat.
“Is everything okay?” I blurted out, though a heartbeat was probably a very good sign.
“Your baby looks to be doing just fine. The head, torso, limbs—all within normal parameters.”
I met Franky’s wet-eyed gaze and curled my hand around hers. With a bone-crushing squeeze, she held on as we both watched that monitor, listened to that echo of life, and let it all sink in.
“Look at that, Francesca,” I murmured. “She’s as healthy as can be.”
Dr. Patel smiled. “Well, we can’t really tell the sex from this position. Baby’s a little shy. Maybe the next time.”
Franky swallowed. “I-I don’t need to know. I think I want it to be a surprise.”
I hadn’t given it much thought, but the moment she said it, I knew she was right. “No rush to reveal it, Doctor P.”
“What about the due date?” Franky asked. “We have an idea, but wanted to be sure.”
“Let me see …” She checked Franky’s chart and ran a calculation on her phone. There was an app for everything. “I’d estimate about July eighth.”
So, after the Finals. I grinned at Franky. “Perfect timing.”
“Yes, I had your hockey schedule in mind.” She sniffed, and I raised her hand to my lips. So we weren’t a couple in the traditional sense, but this was huge. I would use any excuse to maintain this connection. To touch her. To kiss her.
“And what about the nuchal translucency test?” Franky tightened her grip on my hand.
Dr. Patel nodded. “That looks okay from what I can see here. But we’ll also complete your bloodwork and get back to you in a couple of days with a final assessment on any chromosomal differences. Right now, everything appears normal. Mom and baby are doing very well. Any more questions?”
I had a million, but none she could probably answer. Mostly I wondered where did she get off calling my kid “normal” when it was clear she would be in the “super” range?
Franky and I shared a look, then turned back to the OB.
“Think we’re good,” I said.
She nodded. “Now I understand that you’ll be spending the majority of your pregnancy in Boston, Franky.”
“Yes, I’ve already found an OB there, but I’ll be back long before the baby is born.”
“Okay. Just let our assistant know where to send your files and results, so we can maintain that continuity of care. And you can pick up a photo of your baby at the front desk.”
We thanked her and watched as she left the room.
I released a held breath. “You okay?”
