I reach my arm around her. “Yeah, well, when we get home you’re gonna lay on the couch and let me fuss over you.” I pull back just enough to see her face. “Deal?”
Her smile is tiny, soft. “Deal.”
Right then the curtain shifts, and Ella pokes her head in with a clipboard.
Her warm nurse-voice switches on. “Hey, I’m just gonna grab some vitals and run a quick lab panel—standard after fainting, especially with a head bump. It won’t take long.”
Megan nods, wiping her cheek with the back of her hand. “Okay.”
Ella gets started, pulling on gloves. “You feeling dizzy anymore?”
“No,” Meg admits. “But tired.”
“That’ll happen. You scared your body.” Ella glances at me. “And your husband.”
I huff out something between a laugh and a groan.
Megan tenses as Ella gets to work. I lean forward instantly.
“Hey,” I say, catching her eyes. “Look at me, not the needle.”
She does and her breathing steadies.
Ella ties a tourniquet, finds the vein, and with practiced ease, the vial starts filling.
Megan winces. I tighten my grip on her hand.
“Good job,” Ella says softly. “All finished. I’ll put a rush on these.”
“Thank you.” I nod.
When the curtain closes again, it’s just us.
We don’t say much. Megan eases back against the pillow, eyes drifting shut. I stand and dim the light, knowing how these things go; she has time to rest.
I stay right where I am, fingers laced through hers, feeling her grip loosen as she drifts off. Her breathing evens out. My thumb traces slow circles over her knuckles, grounding both of us.
About twenty minutes later, the curtain rustles.
This time it’s not Ella. A doctor steps in—midforties, calm, tablet tucked under one arm.
“Hi,” she says gently. “I’m Dr. Sneed. I’ve reviewed your labs.”
Megan stirs, blinking awake, pushing herself upright. I squeeze her hand, instinctively steadying her.
“Take it slow,” I murmur.
The doctor smiles, waiting until Megan’s settled.
“Everything looks good,” she says. “Blood counts are normal, vitals are stable.” She glances down at her tablet, then back up at us. “But I do need to ask…were you aware that you’re pregnant?”
The room goes completely still. Like life itself pauses.
“What?” we say at the exact same time.
A soft smile spreads across the doctor’s face. “Congratulations.”
Megan stares at me, eyes wide, and then she laughs, breathless, disbelieving, and I can’t help but laugh too.
