Fall for Me (Danvers #3)(53)
Pregnancy was supposed to be one of the most exciting times in a couple’s life. Just because Beth and Nick weren’t married didn’t mean it couldn’t be that way for them as well. After her doctor’s appointment, she would drag him into Babies “R” Us and see how he took it. She had to smile at the image of a ladies’ man like Nick in a baby store, where he would either sink or swim.
Chapter Twenty-six
When they were settled into the waiting room at the ob-gyn’s office, Nick looked around and whispered, “These women here hate men.”
“What are you talking about?” she whispered back.
“Just look around. Most of them are giving me evil looks. Is this like when you have a baby and you start screaming obscenities at the father because you’re in pain?”
Trying to hide her smile, she said, “Yeah, maybe.” She didn’t bother to add to his inflated ego by telling him that most of the women were looking at him as if he were the last piece of cheesecake on a buffet. Let him continue to think they were staring for a different reason. He would probably send one of them into labor if he turned his sexy grin on them.
“So, how about breakfast after this? We left home before we had a chance to eat.”
Beth couldn’t contain her groan. “Could we at least get through an hour without someone mentioning food?”
Nick gave her an innocent smile that didn’t fool her for a minute.
“Beth Denton.”
They both stood as the nurse called her name. As if trained, Nick walked past the scales and to the end of the room. She almost called him back since she was pleased with what she knew the number would be, but thought better of it. If she had lost any weight, he wouldn’t be happy about it and would redouble his efforts to feed her.
The nurse frowned as she recorded the number. “You are two pounds lighter than your last appointment. Have you been experiencing morning sickness?”
With a rueful smile, Beth said, “Yes, I have.”
“Well, make sure you replenish your fluids, dear. You can talk to the doctor about taking something to lessen it.”
Beth gave Nick a bright smile as the nurse led them into a room and helped her up onto an examination table. He gave her a puzzled look, clearly expecting the same response she’d had at her last weighing in public. When the doctor came in a few moments later, she asked about her morning sickness and Nick mentioned her dizzy spell from last week.
“That can happen in pregnancy if you don’t have regular meals and snacks. You have to remember that your body is processing food faster and it’s easier to have dips in insulin levels.” Nick shot her a smug grin as she promised the doctor to eat small meals throughout the day. “Now, if you would lie back, we will listen to the babies’ heartbeats. The Doppler should pick them up now.”
Nick stepped closer as if fascinated. “You can actually hear the heartbeats through that?”
The doctor smiled, charmed as everyone seemed to be with Nick. “We sure can.” Then the doctor put the small probe against Beth’s stomach. Soon, a loud, galloping sound filled the room. The doctor smiled as Nick jerked in excitement. Beth found herself lost in the moment as well, moved to tears at the evidence of the lives she carried. The doctor frowned and continued to move the probe as if searching for something. “I can only detect one of the heartbeats, which happens. Sometimes it can be hard to get in the right position to hear them both. Just as a precaution, I’m going to send you for an ultrasound.”
Both she and Nick turned to the doctor in alarm. “Is . . . Is something wrong with the babies?” Beth asked.
“It’s just routine, Miss Denton. When you’re pregnant with twins, you’re followed more closely, plus I’m sure you would enjoy seeing your babies again.”
Nick gave her hand a reassuring squeeze as he helped her up from the table. She could feel her body trembling as she walked down the hall to the ultrasound room. Despite the doctor’s reassurance, she was terrified, and she could tell that Nick was as well, despite how much he tried to hide it from her. She hadn’t realized how much she wanted these babies until she was faced with the thought of losing them. Oh, God, please let them be okay. Please God, please.
The ultrasound technician was overly cheerful, as if trying to set their minds at ease. Nothing would do that though until she saw that both babies were fine. When the black-and-white screen came to life and the technician started looking at different angles, Beth held her breath. Nick gripped her hand tightly, as if he were on the verge of a nervous breakdown. When the technician removed the probe and stood, Beth knew something was wrong. “I’m going to get the doctor to check this, if you will excuse me for a moment.”
Beth turned to look at Nick. “Something’s wrong, isn’t it?” She could see the effort it took for him to smile as if he wasn’t worried.
“I’m sure it’s nothing, princess. Just harder to see two babies than only one. Please relax. I will have you at a breakfast buffet before you know it.”
The doctor came in alone and took the seat that the technician had vacated. Beth asked her the question she had asked Nick. “Is something wrong?”
The doctor didn’t answer right away. Instead, she continued to look at the monitor as if searching for something. Finally, when Beth was certain she wasn’t going to answer, she removed the probe, but left the lights dimmed. “Miss Denton, the ultrasound shows only one fetus.”