“That’s the baby’s—”
“Heartbeat,” I finish for her. She smiles down at me. “Looks like you’re about nine weeks along and everything looks fine,” she confirms, chasing my fear away.
“Are you sure?”
“We will monitor you for the next twenty-four hours, but everything looks good.” She grabs a tissue to wipe away the sticky gel.
“I’m going to be a mom,” I whisper, watching the screen and seeing the small image of our child. A healthy child. I look up at Sy, afraid this is going to ruin whatever it is we have, but instead of fear or rejection, I’m met with a look of pure joy.
“You’re going to be a daddy,” I announce through happy tears.
“Marry me?” he asks as a way of replying to the news.
“W-what?” I stammer, looking between Sy and the smiling doctor.
“You heard me. Marry me.” He looks down at me, his expression full of hope and excitement.
“Yes,” I rush out, not needing to give it a second thought. “Yes,” I cry as he kisses me.
“Yes?” he asks again, obviously unsure he heard me correctly.
“Yeah, Sunshine. I’ll marry you.” I kiss him fiercely this time, knowing I wouldn’t want it any other way.
“I love you, baby,” he whispers softly.
“I love you, too,” I reply, resting my hand over my belly.
“I promise you, Holly, I’m going to be the best dad there is,” he assures me, covering my hand with his.
“I know you will, Sy,” I agree, and he will. From just listening to the way he speaks about Keira, I know what sort of father he will be.
“I’m going to be a mom.” I smile again at the unexpected news.
“We’re going to be a family,” he states, filling me with hope. Our journey has come full circle. There have been moments filling me with despair and heartbreak. Some days, I thought I could never move past it, but then a small moment of hope appears. It’s so magical, so life-affirming that it makes it all worthwhile.
This is one of those moments.
***
“Thank God, you’re okay,” Kadence says, sitting on the end of my bed at the hospital. She came in five minutes ago, and Sy still hasn’t let go of my hand to let me embrace her. I understand he’s worried about me, but I’m beginning to wonder if he’s going to be worse than Nix.
“I’m fine. Promise,” I reassure her, trying not to come across too excited. After the doctor left us with the news, I decided I wanted to keep the pregnancy under wraps for a couple more weeks; just until I’m out of the first trimester. Sy didn’t agree, but is going along with it. I’m sure he thinks I’m going to cave and let it slip, but I need to let it settle in before I share the news with anyone.
“Do you want me to call your mom?” Kadence asks, probably wondering why she isn’t here.
“God, no,” I rush out, thinking that would be the worst thing to do. “She will freak out and come all the way down here for no reason. I promise I’m fine.” She nods, taking my word for it.
“How’s Jesse?” Sy asks, letting go of my hand to come and climb into the bed with me.
“Oh, he’s okay. He’s been keeping the nurses on their toes.” She smiles, shaking her head.
“I feel my ears burning,” Jesse's voice comes from the door. What timing.
“Jesse, what the hell are you doing out of your bed?” Kadence rushes over to him, helping him hobble to the chair.
“Had to see this pretty girl.” He reaches out to take my hand. “How you feeling?” he asks, concern filling his face and ignoring Sy’s growl at his pretty girl comment.
“I’m good,” I smile, but then remember I’m not meant to be too happy. “How are you?”
“Aww, you know, making the pretty nurses fall for me,” he smirks.
“You shouldn’t be on that foot, Jesse,” I scold him when I see him wince in pain.
“Please, don’t you start,” he complains, rolling his eyes. “I’ve had my father and mother on at me about it,” he says, shaking his head.
“What did they say? You going in for another surgery?” Sy asks.
“Let's not talk about the foot for a moment, okay?” he asks, making me wonder if it's worse than he’s letting on.
“What are you doing in here?” A small brunette in a nurse's uniform comes into the room, scolding Jesse for leaving his bed.
“Ahhh, the one nurse who is immune to my charms. Isn’t that right, Nurse Bell?” He wiggles his brows at the poor woman.
“You need to go back to your room. Your mother and father are looking for you,” she replies as a light blush coats her cheeks.
“I will marry you if you tell them I left,” he says, which makes me laugh.
“Mr. Carter, stop asking me to marry you if I get rid of them. You’re a grown man. You tell them to leave,” Nurse Bell says, shaking her head at Jesse’s immaturity.
“I remember you,” Kadence says, coming into the conversation. “You were on when I was in here,” she observes.
“That’s where I know you from.” Jesse slaps his hand down onto his knee, like it all comes back to him. “I swear with the attitude you’ve been throwing around I thought I had fucked you once and forgot about it,” he responds, sending the poor girl’s blush to a deep red.
“Mr. Carter, I won’t say this again, you need to go back to your room.” She ignores his last remark and crosses her arms. I look at her closely and watch as she tries to hide her frustration.
“Will you take me back to my room and give me a sponge bath?” he teases, knowing she’s affected by him and trying even harder for a satisfying reaction.
“No, let's go,” she insists, coming forward and helping him out of the chair. “You shouldn’t be on your leg. You need to use the crutches,” she scolds him as they walk off back to his room.
“Bye, Holly.” He looks over his shoulder giving me a wink.
“Thanks for helping me, Jesse,” I answer back as he leaves.
“I should go, too,” Kadence says, coming to kiss my cheek. “I’m so glad you’re okay. I was so worried about you.” She pulls back.
“I’m good, Kadence. Thank you for coming and staying with me,” I say, knowing she has Nix waiting for her outside.
“I’ll come by tomorrow once you’re discharged.”
“She’s going to be at the clubhouse,” Sy adds, bossing me around again, only this time making the decisions himself. I don’t comment, just let him have his say, but make a mental note to talk with him later. If he thinks he is going to wrap me in bubble wrap like Nix has done with Kadence, then he better think again.
“Yes, we will be talking later,” he whispers so only I can hear. Gah, he even orders me around when I think I’m bossing him in my head.
Seriously, the man is a headache.
“Okay, say thanks to Nix,” I ignore Sy as Kadence leans forward to kiss my cheek.
“Are you sure you’re okay?” she asks again.
“I'm fine,” I reassure her again. It's not like I don't want to tell her. I do. I want to scream it out for people to know, but something is holding me back. I need it to be just Sy and me for a small moment. I want us to get used to the news before everyone else knows.
“Okay, I’ll talk to you tomorrow.” She smiles and steps back. “I love you, girl.” She waves before walking out the door.
“Love you,” I reply and then turn to Sy.
“You wanted to tell her,” he accuses, coming to sit on the side of my hospital bed.
“She’s my best friend,” I defend myself.
“You're the one who wanted to keep it to us. I don't mind,” he shrugs.
“Well, I would like to tell my parents first,” I admit, knowing if we tell anyone straight away, it will be them.
“Baby, like I said, I don't mind. Now lay back. You need your rest. I don't want anything to happen to you,” he says, already fussing.