“And stress levels?”
There’s a single second where the question hangs in the air, almost absurd in its simplicity.
Trey lets out a low, humorless huff beside me. “Where do you want us to start?”
The nurse’s lips twitch—not quite a smile, but understanding passes between them.
She nods once and moves on.
“Have you experienced any bleeding or cramping?”
“No.”
“Any nausea?”
I hesitate. “A little.”
“Fatigue?”
“Yes.”
“Any dizziness or fainting episodes?”
My fingers tighten slightly around Trey’s wrist. “Once.”
His hand slides over my shoulder immediately, covering it.
The nurse notes it down. “That can be normal in early pregnancy, but we’ll keep an eye on it.”
She stands. “Let’s get your vitals.”
I watch as she moves around her desk getting what she needs.
A blood pressure cuff tightens around my arm, squeezing until it borders on uncomfortable. I watch the numbers flicker across the small screen, my heartbeat loud in my ears.
Trey watches it with a frown.
The second the cuff releases, his fingers brush over my arm like he’s checking for damage.
“Sounded like it was going to pop at one point.” He grumbles.
“I’m fine,” I murmur again.
His gaze lifts to mine, before he nods once.
“I’m going to need to draw some blood,” she says gently. I nod silently, taking slow, deep breaths. I look away as the needle slides in, a quick sting followed by a dull pressure. The vial fills with dark red, and Trey goes very still beside me.
If I didn’t know him, I’d miss it.
But I feel the tension in him.
His thumb drags slowly across my shoulder.
The nurse tapes a small piece of gauze to my arm. “We’ll run a full prenatal panel,” she explains. “Check your hormone levels—hCG, make sure everything is progressing as expected.”
I nod, even though my focus is already drifting.
Toward the next room.
