“All of them. But you’d be surprised how often… situations arise, even with the ones you wouldn’t consider dangerous.”
“Fascinating.”
Dr. Winters reached for the hem of Aria’s dress, then paused. “Do you want the others to stay? I’m going to have to lift your dress up.”
The terror of being alone for what came next was far worse than the humiliation of being seen partially naked. “They can stay.”
Someone gripped her hand and she looked up to find Reagan smiling down at her. “We’ve got you, Aria.”
Unable to speak past the sudden lump in her throat, Aria nodded. Brody brushed at her hair, murmuring quiet, encouraging words. The words themselves didn’t really register so much as his tone, soft and soothing.
She could do this. She may not have her husband, but she had her family.
It seemed to take an eternity for Dr. Winters to get things set up. And an even longer eternity for anything to happen on the screen once she pressed the wand to Aria’s stomach.
But then she heard it. The loud, hammering sound of her baby’s heartbeat.
“Oh, god.” Relief was a tidal wave, threatening to drag her under as she let her head fall back against the table. Let the tears come as she blew out a shuddering breath. “She’s okay. She’s okay.”
“Right as rain, as far as I can tell.” Her own relief was echoed in Naomi’s words, in the tight grip of Reagan’s hand in hers. “I’d still like you to make an appointment with Dr. Byrd tomorrow for a full checkup just to be extra careful, but we have a beautiful, strong heartbeat.”
“Can I see her?” She could barely see at all through the tears of sheer joy and relief, but she needed to see her baby.
“Of course.”
Just as Naomi was handing the phone off to her, the door opened and Killian stepped inside. Everything inside Aria leapt with happiness—then immediately shattered again at the haunted look on his face.
He tried to hide it with a smile, but his eyes were empty. “What did I miss?”
All she wanted was to go to him, to touch and soothe and comfort, but instinct told her he wouldn’t appreciate such gestures with an audience. So instead, she held up the phone with its surprisingly clear black-and-white image. “Our baby. Come see.”
“I can hear her from all the way over here.” His voice was heavy with the same soul-shattering relief she’d felt when she’d first heard that beautiful sound. Crossing the room in three strides, he took Reagan’s place beside the table, his gaze locked on the screen.
“She’s okay.” Emotion choked his words as he stroked a finger down the screen. “Listen to that heartbeat. Strong and sure like her mama.”
“Damn straight.”
Turning from the display, he bent to press a kiss to Aria’s forehead, and her own heart stuttered in her chest. “You’re amazing,” he murmured.
“Damn straight,” she repeated with a watery laugh. “Look at that beautiful baby I’m making for us.”
Straightening again, he looked over at Naomi. “Thank you for taking care of my family, Dr. Winters.”
“Of course.” A smirk tugged at the corner of Naomi’s mouth. “I left your sister with very detailed instructions for taking care of her injury, as well as the number of an excellent physical therapist. I trust you’ll ensure she follows my instructions to the letter.”
“I’ll see to it she does. Thank you.”
Aria risked a glance up at Reagan, and had to swallow a laugh at the pure shock on her face. By contrast, Dr. Winters looked downright chuffed with herself as she gathered her equipment and said her goodbyes.
“That girl is a brat,” Reagan grumbled.
“Too bad there isn’t anyone in this room who enjoys taming brats.” Brody was clearly enjoying his cousin’s aggravation, and the sharp look she sent his way did nothing to wipe the smile from his face.
“If you two are done sniping at each other,” Killian drawled, “I’m going to take my wife upstairs for some food and a nap. Call the cousins, let them know we’ll be having a mandatory family dinner tonight.”
The change in them was so immediate and drastic it nearly gave Aria whiplash. “On it,” Brody said with a sharp nod before pulling his phone from his pocket and striding from the room.
Reagan lingered, worry tingeing her dark eyes. “How was cousin Sheila?”
