Beat of the Heart (Runaway Train, #2)(81)

Mia’s mouth made a perfect ‘O’ of surprise just as the waiting room door opened. “Mia Martinelli?” a nurse questioned. Snapping her mouth shut, Mia shot out of her chair. She fumbled for my hand before dragging me along behind her.

After we left the reception area, a nurse ushered Mia over to some scales. “Let’s get your weight,” the she instructed. When Mia stepped on, I started to look at the digital read out. “No, don’t look!” she hissed over her shoulder.

I held up my hands in mock surrender. “Okay, okay,” I muttered, stepping back. Once her weight was recorded and she was off the scales, I took a few tentative steps forward, I said, “You look absolutely beautiful to me.”

With a grin, the nurse patted my back. “Aren’t you a sweetheart?”

“Thanks,” I replied before winking at Mia. She rolled her eyes but smiled in spite of herself.

Out of nowhere, a young receptionist came bounding up to me. “Oh my God! It really is you. I almost didn’t believe the other girls when they said you were here.”

“Oh, um, hi,” I said, extending my hand. I was in unchartered territory considering I’d never been ambushed by a fan in an OB/GYN office.

“I’ve never missed seeing any your shows in Atlanta. In fact, my friends and I have even driven to some in Alabama and Tennessee. I’m that big of a fan.” Digging in the pockets of her scrubs, she pulled out a sharpie and thrust it at me. “I would like totally die of excitement if you would sign my boobs.”

When I dared to peek at Mia, she stood with her arms crossed over her chest, giving the bimbo a death glare. “I’ll be happy to sign anything but your boobs,” I said tightly.

She pouted as she turned around and swept her hair over her shoulder. “Will you sign the back of my scrubs then?”

I gave Mia an apologetic look to which she held up her hands. “Don’t mind me. I’m just here to see the gender of my unborn child. Excuse me, our unborn child.”

Yep, I was in serious trouble. Capping the sharpie, I tossed it back at the girl. “This is really not a good time.”

“Later then?” she pressed

“How about never!” Mia blared.

The nurse at Mia’s side stepped forward and gently shoved the girl back into the reception area. “Beth, please do not bother Ms. Martinelli and her guest anymore.”

With an exasperated huff, Beth slumped back into her chair and whirled around to face customers. The nurse gave Mia and me an apologetic smile. “I’m so sorry about that.”

“It’s not your fault. I’m kinda used to it by now,” I replied.

“Well, I’m certainly not,” Mia hissed.

Oh great, in Mia’s eyes, I had royally f*cked up now. Sensing we needed a moment alone, the nurse motioned us into the ultrasound room. “You know the drill by now, Ms. Martinelli. The tech will be with you in a few minutes.”

“Thank you,” Mia replied.

When the door shut behind us, I inhaled a deep breath. Mia chose to ignore me. Instead, she hopped up on the table. Swinging her legs back and forth, she eyed me contemptuously. “Amorcito mio, I’m really sorry about that.” I took a tentative step forward. “It’s just that I’m used to interacting with fans and getting into a certain zone when I’m with them. I wouldn’t have wanted to take anything away from this day for you or for me.”

Mia weighed my words before reclining back on the table. The paper crinkled beneath her as she unbuttoned her pants and slid them down, tucking them under her bump. I couldn’t resist stepping forward to lay my hand on her bare belly. She watched me intently, searching my face. I didn’t know if she expected to me to pull a douche move and be disgusted by the sight of her stomach or what. It was still so f*cking mind blowing that my kid was in there. That somehow, during our whirlwind two weeks together, we had managed to create a life.

“Mia,” I pleaded. “Will you at least call me a few choice words in Italian and except my apology?”

When she finally smiled, I felt like a ton of bricks had been lifted off my chest. “Okay, I’m sorry for overreacting. I guess you couldn’t help it. I mean, that chick really railroaded you.”

I nodded. “I’ve had PR people drill it into my head never to turn away fans, so that’s why I did that. I would never dream of disrespecting you and this special day.”

“Thank you, AJ,” Mia replied.

The door opened, and a tech in green scrubs appeared. “Hello Mia.”

“Hi Karen.”

“Big day today, huh?” Karen questioned, as she flopped down on her stool.

“Yeah, it is.”

Karen eyed me as she picked up a bottle of some gel looking shit. “And who is this?”

“I’m AJ, the father,” I replied before Mia could try to figure out what to call me.

“Nice to meet you.” With a grin, Karen glanced between us. “Regardless of what the sex is of this baby, I can guarantee with you two as parents, it’s going to be attractive.”

I laughed. “Thanks. We do have some good genes to bring to the table, huh?”

Mia rolled her eyes at my cockiness. “Thank you, Karen. As long as it’s healthy, I’ll feel extremely blessed.”

“Okay then. Let’s get started,” Karen replied, after squiring the jelly shit on Mia’s belly. Once it was covered, she picked up a wand and began running it over Mia’s stomach. The instant the baby’s grainy image flashed on the screen I was mesmerized. Seriously, I couldn’t take my eyes off of him or her, and I fought to breathe. It was the most surreal experience of my life. Nothing compared to it—not even being on a stage in front of thousands and thousands of people. “Wow,” I wheezed.