“Yes,” she focused on her tablet as she said, “it is, isn’t it?”
“It is,” I said, my smile wavering a little.
“Well, we have months to figure all this out. For now, let’s focus on how you’re feeling.” Hilary tapped her finger against the screen of her tablet as she spoke. “It looks like your sleeping patterns haven’t changed but since the doctor assured me it’s okay, I’ll let it go. How’s your appetite been?”
“Good. Not great, but I’m eating.”
“Excellent.” She typed something then, keeping her eyes on her tablet, said, “And you’re getting plenty of exercise, I see. That’s good.”
I bit back a smirk. If only she knew what kind of exercise I was getting.
Hilary continued talking, asking questions and making comments, but didn’t look up from her tablet a single time. It was strange because she usually liked to give me disapproving looks, plus I’d thought she would be thrilled I’d changed my tune, but I brushed off the change. Maybe she liked having someone to despise and was disappointed I wasn’t going to be a problem anymore. It tracked with her personality.
The weeks passed, and my pregnancy progressed.
I had some morning sickness, but much less than I’d had with my previous pregnancies, although certain foods did make me nauseated. Bananas, red sauce, and eggs were the biggest culprits. My exhaustion grew, and I found it difficult to stay awake at night and wait for Marc or sometimes even to wake up at all when he arrived, but that didn’t stop him from coming to my room. If I couldn’t keep my eyes open, he would simply wrap his arms around me, pull me close, and go to sleep. Sometimes I didn’t even hear him come and go.
Christmas passed, but there was very little celebration and the mood in the hotel was more somber than ever. The news from the outside world was spotty and dictated by what Collins shared with us, but not good. Occasionally, I would hear rumors that someone had been told a loved one died from the virus, but since I kept mostly to myself, I didn’t know how true that was. I also didn’t want to think about it because it terrified me too much. I hated not knowing what was going on with Trevor.
I was ten weeks along when the last day of 2067 rolled around, meaning it was time for an ultrasound. After what had happened with my last pregnancy, I was nervous, but excited as well since I would get to see my baby for the first time. If only Marc could go with me.
Hilary was her usual standoffish self when I met her at theclinic.
“Everything still good?” she asked in a clipped tone.
“No complaints.”
She pressed her lips together then yanked the door open and waved for me to go in. I did, stopping at the front desk where a soldier whose name tag read Michaels sat.
“Arabella Murphy?” he asked, looking up from the tablet.
“That’s right.”
I’d stopped correcting people when they called me by my full name weeks ago since there was no point. They didn’t care what I preferred to be called.
He typed something in then focused on Hilary. “They have you set up in five.”
Getting ready for my appointment was almost second nature now. Hilary escorted me to the cubicle, left, I undressed from the waist down, then climbed on the exam table and spread the paper sheet across my lap to wait. Normally, the sight of the stirrups filled me with dread, but this time around, they seemed as innocent as a kitten. It was shocking how much my attitude had changed, but understandable as well. I felt like I’d had a say in this pregnancy, which wasn’t something I could have claimed before.
The doctor, Hilary, and a nurse arrived at the same time, filing through the curtain in a line.
“And how is the mommy today?” the doctor asked brightly.
“Doing well.”
“Good, good.” He scanned the tablet in his hands. “I know you had an abnormal pregnancy in the past, and because of that, we’ll want to keep a close eye on you, but let me assure you, it was most likely a fluke.” He looked up and smiled. “I have every reason to believe this time around will be different.”
I put my hand on my stomach. “I hope so.”
Hilary, who stood by the curtain listening, pressed her lips into a disapproving line. Why, I didn’t know, and I didn’t have enough time to focus on it because at that moment, the nurse pushed the cart toward me.
“I’m going to draw some blood before we move on to theultrasound, okay?”
I put my arm out.
After the nurse finished, it was time to get into place. I scooted down and put my feet in the stirrups, anxious for it to start both so I could hear my baby’s heartbeat and so I could reassure myself everything was okay.
Two minutes later, the doctor made a satisfied sound and pointed to the ultrasound monitor. “There’s your baby.”
