Page 38 of Crown: Phase 4

“It just looks crazier when you see the dates written down.”

Crown chuckled before moving his hand and settling back in his chair. “We knew it was close.”

“Knowing and seeing it are two different things, baby. I’m just a lil nervous again.”

“I get it, but calm down. I’m right here and I ain’t going nowhere. You ain’t carrying this by yourself.”

Nivéa nodded and finished the forms. The words didn’t erase her concern, but they loosened something inside her. Crown had a way of making her feel safe when she felt uneasy. After leaving her urine sample, a nurse called them to the back. She weighed Nivéa, checked her blood pressure and temperature, then led them into an exam room. Crown placed Nyla’s carrier on the chair and took her out since she had woken up. He moved around the small room with her attached to his chest, taking turns studying her and every piece of medical equipment.

The nurse sat in front of the computer. “Any nausea or vomiting?”

“Nausea a little in the morning. Nothing too bad. I haven’t thrown up.”

“Cramping?”

“A little. Nothing painful.”

“Bleeding or spotting?”

“No.”

“Headaches, dizziness, fever, anything unusual?”

“No.”

“Are you taking a prenatal vitamin?”

“Every day since I found out.”

The nurse typed each response before asking questions about Nivéa’s C-section recovery, sleep, appetite, and whether she had experienced any complications after delivering Nyla. Once she finished, she printed several lab orders and placed them beside the keyboard.

“We’ll draw blood before you leave today. Dr. Harris will also talk to you about genetic screening and what she wants to monitor because the pregnancies are so close together.”

Crown paused and finally spoke. “Is there a concern for that? Is it a bad thing for her and the baby that she’s pregnant again so soon?”

The nurse looked toward him. “Dr. Harris will give you both a full explanation.”

“Why can’t you?”

“I’d prefer not to provide details before she does.”

“And why is that?”

“It’s important that you hear it from her directly. That’s all. Don’t worry.”

Crown didn’t appear satisfied with the answer, but he nodded anyway. Once the nurse left, Nivéa turned to him.

“Baby, come sit down before you start scaring these people with your interrogations.”

“I only asked a few questions, ma.”

“The way you looked at her and asked them sounded like she was hiding something.”

“She was.”

“She wasn’t hiding anything, Ahmad. I’m sure it’s just precautions. She told you the doctor would explain it. Sit yo’ ass down.”

Nivéa and Kerri were the only people in this world that could speak to Crown Knight that way. Instantly, he lowered himself into the chair beside the exam table, shifting Nyla higher against him.