Chapter 43

Maggie looked up at her, and tears fell again. “We haven’t discussed when we wanted to have kids yet, Liam and I…”

“It looks like you will be having the talk now. Shall we do an ultrasound to see how far along you are?”

Maggie nodded and sat back on the exam table. The nurse left to get the portable machine, and the doctor talked with Maggie about what would happen to her body over the next few weeks.

“Avoid raw fish and alcohol and do light exercise, like walking or riding a stationary bike. That will help labor and keep your weight healthy.”

“Can I still coach softball? I just started!”

“Yes, just be sure you are not playing and not putting yourself in any danger of being hit. Nap as you need. Most times, several small meals are easier on your stomach if you feel nauseous.”

Maggie nodded and tried to absorb everything she was being told. The doctor could tell she was in a daze.

“Don’t worry, Maggie, I will give you some papers with everything we just talked about,” she said, patting her knee.

The nurse came in with the portable ultrasound, and the doctor helped get her all set up. They turned it on, and soon the doctor pointed out the white mass on the screen, “There it is, Maggie, your baby!”

Maggie looked in awe at seeing something that was part her and part Liam. The doctor moved the robe all over, clicked buttons, and took measurements.

She printed off screenshots and then pointed to the monitor. “Right there, Maggie, that blinking? That is your baby’s heartbeat.”

Tears slipped down Maggie’s face again. She wished Liam was here with her but didn’t know how to tell him this.

“I calculate you are about seven weeks pregnant. You didn’t conceive right away after you didn’t get the shot. But you are looking at an early February due date, maybe the tenth. “

“I don’t know what to say. The whole idea didn’t even occur to me until about two hours ago when my soon-to-be sister-in-law asked for a few tampons!”

“It happens more than you think, Maggie. Don’t be so hard on yourself! Make an appointment for a month from now, take all this information home, and talk with your fiancé.

“Write down any questions you have for next time. If anything feels off, or you start spotting or bleeding, call the office and talk to the doctor on call.”

Maggie nodded, took the pictures and papers, and went to get dressed. She stepped out of the exam room, made the appointment with the scheduler, and walked in a daze to her car.

She sat in the car that Liam got her only a few weeks before for her birthday and the day they got engaged.

She drove around for a while and stopped to get a smoothie and a chicken wrap. She ate it at the park, watching the kids play. She rubbed her stomach lovingly and started talking to her child.

“Baby, I can’t tell you how much I love you already. I have always wanted you and can’t wait to meet you. Your daddy is the most handsome man!

“If you are a boy, I hope you look just like him and if you are a girl, I hope you get his dimples. He doesn’t know about you yet, but everything is going to be okay…”

She threw away her trash and drove home. Everyone was still out, and Maggie left a note saying she wasn’t feeling well and was going to take a nap. She fell asleep as soon as she hit the pillow.

The men were having a great time at the Marlins game. Liam bought great club seats, and they had a blast. They went out for an early dinner after the game and were talking and joking around.

“Liam, why did you get a new bedroom set? I liked that other one a lot,” Henry asked.

Liam took a drink of his iced tea to not answer and tried changing the subject.

“Oh, no you don’t! Now you have to spill the story, wanker!” William exclaimed.

“Well, um…the bed frame and headboard were broken, so Maggie and I went and picked out a new set…” Liam mumbled.

“How did it break?” Henry asked with a smirk.

“Let’s just say that it was all Louboutin’s fault.”

“Wait, those are those expensive shoes with the red bottoms, aren’t they?” Henry asked.

“Yes, your mother and sister go gaga for them!” Charlie said with a smile.

Brett almost choked and turned to look at his best friend. “Are you telling us that you broke your bed having wild ass sex with my little sister over some fucking shoes?”

Liam nodded, and the table roared with laughter. Brett just sat there shaking his head. After the meal, they piled in the car and drove home.

As they pulled into the driveway, Liam made them all swear to not breathe a word of the bed to Maggie or he would kill them and dump the bodies. They all promised and went into the house.

The ladies were sitting on the patio talking as the men joined them.

“Where’s Maggie?” Liam asked.

“She went out this morning and came back and left a note that she wasn’t feeling well and was going to bed. I checked on her once, and she was sleeping,” Beth explained.

Liam immediately ran upstairs and found Maggie sitting on the couch wrapped in a blanket.

“Maggie, what’s wrong? Mom said you aren’t feeling well?” he asked gently, sitting next to her.

He could see she had been crying. “Darling, please tell me…”

Maggie turned and fell into his arms, crying harder. He just held her and rocked her, smoothing her hair back. She calmed down a few minutes later and looked at him.

“I have some news, Liam. I went to the doctor today—,” she started.

“Are you sick? Is it something serious?” he interrupted with panic.

She shook her head with her head hanging low, mumbling something to him.

“I didn’t hear you, darling, tell me again.”

She looked into his eyes, took a deep breath, and said, “I’m pregnant…”