Chapter 26

WHITLEY

Working from home really does have its advantages. Since the guys have a significant break before the Super Bowl, Gabriel and I have been taking advantage of it. Leaving the bedroom is only an option if we absolutely have to. Otherwise, let’s just say, I’ve been finding out just how well Gabriel’s recovery time really is.

Today, I’m at a doctor’s appointment to have my IUD replaced. I sit on the paper-covered table wearing a thin gown, wishing they would hurry up. It’s not that hard. Pop one out, and pop one in. But no, I have to come in, pee in a cup, and get all the way undressed for an exam, just for them to say everything looks good.

“Hi, Whitley. Good to see you again,” the doctor says, coming into the room. “How’s everything going since the accident?”

“Good. I got all my memories back.”

“Wonderful! Slide down for me and put your feet in the stirrups.”

I lie there as she removes the IUD that needs to be replaced.

“Looks like you’re close to expiration date. Have you had any changes in your cycle?”

“Umm, the last couple have been heavier, and I haven’t got this month’s yet.”

“Hmm.”

I hate it when doctors do that.

“Okay. Let’s wait and see what your results are before we put a new one in.”

She goes about doing a breast exam and pushes on my stomach.

“Any tenderness?”

“No.”

There’s a knock on the door, and her nurse comes in.

“It’s pretty faint, but it’s there,” the nurse says.

“Did you redo it a second time?” the doctor asks.

The nurse nods her head.

“And a third.”

“Okay, roll the machine in and make sure I have the transvaginal transducer.”

~The what?~

“Whitley, sometimes when your IUD is coming close to expiring, it loses its potency and doesn’t work like it normally would. You can usually tell by heavier periods and such. We always do a pregnancy test on our patients before we change these out. Yours came back positive,” the doctor says.

“What?” I ask.

“I’m going to do what is called a transvaginal ultrasound. That way I can see what’s going on. I have a feeling, since you haven’t gotten your cycle for this month yet, you’re probably early into the pregnancy. Can you remember if you had unprotected sex?” she asks.

“Yes.”

The nurse walks in with a fairly large machine with a monitor on top. I lie on the table and watch as my doctor rolls what looks like the biggest condom known to man down onto a large-ass dildo and squirts some gel on the top.

“Okay, Whitley. You’re probably going to feel a little bit of pressure.”

~Little bit my ass.~

It feels like an hour goes by as I watch her push buttons, move a ball on the keyboard around, and continue to shove that bitch-ass dildo as far as she can up my twat.

“Okay. Let me just zoom in a little bit here,” she says.

I turn my head as she turns the screen and points.

“This small sac right here is the fetus. I know it’s hard to see, but if you look closely, you can see a flicker. That’s the heartbeat. You’re extremely early in your pregnancy. About five to six weeks.”

Counting back, that was approximately when I got my memories back. The first night Gabriel and I were together again.

She pulls that wretched dildo out and prints a picture.

“Now, this is where it can get tricky,” she says. “Your body just healed from a serious injury not long ago. Now that there’s a baby, it’s got to adjust again to another form of invasion. Miscarriage at this point is high. Any bleeding, cramping, or anything that just feels off, you call us immediately.”

“Is there anything other than the normal no alcohol or drugs that I should stay away from?”

“Everything looks good on the scan. Keep everything as it is. I wouldn’t go out and scream it from the rooftops that you’re having a baby just yet, but other than that you’re good to go.”

“Even sex?”

“Yes. Sex is fine unless you start bleeding.”

“Okay.”

“Whitley, I would only tell who you need to right now. That would probably be the father and immediate family, just in case something happens. After you make it past twelve weeks, then you can scream it.”

I laugh.

“Okay.”

***

I stop by Aubrey’s shop before I head home. One look at me and she knows something is wrong. She grabs my hand and pulls me into her office in the back, closing the door.

“What’s wrong?” she asks.

“I just came from the doctor’s office.”

“What did they say?”

I just shake my head.

“Whitley! What did the doctor say? Don’t make me call your brother!”

“I’m pregnant,” I say.

“Do you have any idea how beautiful that child is going to be?” Aubrey says.

My head pops up.

“Seriously? All you can think of is what the kid is going to look like?”

“Of course. I’m thinking Gabriel’s dark hair and your green eyes.”

“I’m really early. The doctor talked about possible miscarriage. That my body just healed from one trauma, and now it has to deal with adjusting to this.”

She sighs heavily.

“You need to tell him.”

“I will.”

“No. Not when you think it’s a good time. You need to tell him today. If something does happen, I can’t handle seeing that man fall apart again,” she says.

“Okay, I will.”

***

I make it home and find Gabriel in the office.

“What are you doing in here?” I ask.

“Had a few phone calls to make. How did the appointment go?”

“That’s what I need to talk to you about.” I go and sit on one of the couches, messing with the hem of my dress. I feel Gabriel kneel in front of me.

“Whitley, what is it?”

I look up and feel tears in my eyes. I’m scared of his reaction. What if he’s not ready to be a father? What if I tell him, and we end up losing the baby anyway? Then I’d have gone through all of this for nothing.

“Please, Whitley. Tell me.”

“I’m pregnant, Gabriel. I’m sorry. The IUD was close to expiration and didn’t work like it should.”

“You’re pregnant? That’s it?”

“Well, right now I’m really early. The doctor said something about possible miscarriage. Plus, my body just healed from one trauma, and now it has to adjust to something else. It could be too much.”

He breathes out a heavy sigh.

“So, how long before we know you’re safe?”

“She says twelve weeks.”

“How early are you?”

“Five to six weeks.”

He nods.

“So, pretty much the night you got your memories back.”

“Yeah.”

“Do you know how much I love you?”

“Gabriel—”

“No. I bought this house with you in mind. Hoping against all hope, that maybe one day we would be able to fill it with children of our own.”

“What if it doesn’t happen?”

“It will.”

“I love you, Gabriel.”

He kisses my lips softly.

“Not trying to be selfish, but did she say anything about sex?” he asks.

I can’t help but laugh.

“She said sex was fine as long as I don’t start bleeding.”

“Thank god. Because just the thought of you swollen with my child has me hard as a brick.”