“Right this way,” the nurse directed.
My heart raced in my chest in excitement and fear. I had no idea what to expect. I hoped they didn’t poke and prod me too much.
“Change into this,” she handed me a gown. “The doctor will be in soon.”
The heavy door closed behind her with a click.
“Well, this ought to be flattering,” I stared at the nasty cotton gown she told me to put on. There was a divider so I went behind that to change. I knew Caeden had seen everything already, but I was scared someone might open the door and get an eyeful. I didn’t need to deal with that embarrassment.
I tossed my clothes over the divider and called for Caeden. “Can you help me? I can’t tie it.”
“Sure,” he came around the divider and quickly tied the hanging ribbons together.
I took a seat on the paper-covered bed thingy. I looked up at the bright halogen lights. “I feel like I’m about to be dissected or something.”
Caeden chuckled as he sat down in the hard plastic chair once more. “I don’t think that’s going to happen,” he scratched his stubbled jaw.
“How long do you think we’ll have to wait?” I kicked my legs, looking around at the gross medical pictures depicting the joys of giving birth.
“Forever,” Caeden pinched the bridge of his nose. “Before we shift, we get sick and injured like any other human, and I’ve spent countless hours waiting for doctors and it sucks.”
“I can’t wait to hear our baby’s heartbeat,” I whispered.
“Me too,” he agreed, smiling so broadly that the dimple in his cheek winked at me.
A knock sounded on the door and then it cracked open.
“Hi, I’m Dr. James,” the man said. “You must be, Sophie,” he held a hand out to me.
“Yes,” I took his hand and gave it a light shake, trying to hide my cringe. I remembered specifically asking for a female doctor. I didn’t quite feel comfortable with some strange man I had never met before poking around down there. But I didn’t want to cause a scene and delay seeing my baby any longer, so I kept my mouth shut.
“And you must be the husband,” the doctor turned to Caeden.
“Yes, sir,” they shook hands.
“So,” Dr. James sat down on his chair, “how are you feeling, Sophie? Any morning sickness?”
“I haven’t thrown up, but I have felt nauseous. I seem to be really dizzy. Is that normal?” I began to worry. I didn’t want anything to be wrong, and I knew nothing about babies, let alone being pregnant.
“That’s perfectly normal,” the doctor assured me with a soft chuckle. “When it happens, just be sure to lay down and rest for a bit till it passes. We don’t want you to get so dizzy that you fall.”
I nodded in understanding.
“Any more questions?” He raised a brow, looking at me and then Caeden.
“When do we find out if it’s a boy or girl?” Caeden asked.
I couldn’t help smiling. He really wanted to know that.
“It’s too early to tell that now. Once I get a good look at your baby and determine an approximate due date, I’ll be able to let you know when a good time to schedule an appointment to find out the sex. As long as mom is okay with that?” Dr. James gaze swung my way.
“I want to know,” I assured him, nervously fiddling with the scratchy hospital gown.
“Okay, good. I’m glad you’re both on the same page. You have no idea how many couples can’t agree on that. One wants to know, the other doesn’t. It’s exhausting. Some days I feel like I have to be a marriage counselor,” he laughed, scooting his chair over the table and looking over a chart. After looking at it for a moment, he rubbed his hands together and said, “Let’s see your baby.”
* * *
Caeden couldn’t stop smiling at the sonogram. “She’s so tiny. She doesn’t even look a baby,” he said as we got in his Jeep.
“She?” I smiled.
A soft red hue inflamed his tanned cheeks. “Or he. But I think it’s a girl.”
“Why do you think it’s a girl?” I pressed curiously.
He shrugged. “I don’t know. I’d be happy with a boy, but I feel like we need more girls around.”
“Well, I guess we’ll find out…December twentieth,” I looked down at the slip of paper with the appointment information for when we find out if we were having a boy or girl.
“I thought maybe we could meet our parents for lunch and show them this,” he handed me the sonogram.
“Sounds good. I’ll call them.” I pulled my phone from my purse. Our parents were quick to agree and I picked a restaurant that would be easy for all of us to get to.