After her weight, she sat down, and Dr. Keen took her blood pressure and frowned. “Or it could be this. Your blood pressure is too high. How do you feel?”
“A little tired, but okay.” She then asked worriedly, “Is the baby all right?”
“I’d like to know if they both are okay,” Ethan said. He took her hand comfortingly and stroked his fingers over her skin.
“Let’s do this before your sonogram. How about you give me a urine sample, and we’ll see from there,” Dr. Keen answered. “The little cups are in the bathroom. Just leave it on the counter when you’re done.”
Ethan waited until she left the room and turned to the doctor. “Okay, don’t bullshit me. Is Mya okay?”
“There is a condition called preeclampsia that I’m worried about. We’ll know for sure when I test her sample. She may need to go on bed rest, and I’ll be monitoring her carefully over the coming months. Don’t worry, Ethan. I’ll take good care of her,” Dr. Keen assured him. “I’ll go out and check it right now.”
He made a mental note to research the condition the doctor spoke of when he got home. Ethan pasted a smile on his face when Mya came back in. He didn’t want her to see how worried he was because that would make her more nervous. She came back in and, without having to be prompted, got on the examination table next to the monitor.
“Baby, you get to sit here beside me and watch the monitor.” She pointed to the chair next to the exam table.
“Thanks for letting me know.” Ethan sat down. “So what will I be able to see? I’ve never been to one of these.”
Mya laughed. “It’s not a concert, honey. You’re going to see a fuzzy black-and-white pic of the baby, and Dr. Keen will measure him or her to make sure they’re growing correctly. Then he switches it to four-D, which makes the picture clearer, and we can see the baby’s face.”
Dr. Keen came back in. “Mya, there is protein in your urine, which, along with your blood pressure being elevated, is an early sign of preeclampsia. You’re only twenty-six weeks now, and the baby would be severely premature if you went into labor. I’m going to recommend bed rest and limited activity, a diet low in salt, and I’m going to start seeing you weekly.”
“Can you come to the mansion and see her until the delivery?” Ethan asked. “Money is not an object. I want her to have the best care and not have to take a weekly Black Ops-type trip to come in to see you.”
Dr. Keen nodded. “We can arrange that. It’s getting colder, and as long as she has some exercise, it will be fine.”
“We have an indoor solarium and pool. I’ll make sure she does everything you say,” Ethan said.
“Hey, pregnant woman still here, listening.” Mya waved her hand. “I can also make decisions and dress myself in a pinch.”
“Yes, you are the epitome of efficient, but right now, you’re going to be a good girl and do exactly as you’re told.” Ethan took her hand and kissed it. “Honey, I’ll worry, so let me take care of you and the baby, okay?”
Mya sighed. “Fine, but don’t go overboard or let Robin go crazy in the nursery.”
“Boy Scout’s honor,” Ethan said with a grin.
“Now we’ve got that settled, let’s take a look at his baby,” Dr. Keen said. “Do you want to know the sex if I see the genitalia?”
“No.”
They said it automatically and looked at each other with big grins on their faces. Apparently they both had made a decision after all.
Dr. Keen smiled. “All righty then, I’ll mark it in your chart, and my lips are sealed.”
Ethan watched as he pointed out arms and legs, told them the weight, and they heard the heart beat. When he flipped the machine to four-D, Mya gave a soft cry and covered her mouth with her hand. Tears of happiness shimmered in her eyes, and Ethan was equally enthralled. It was as if he could reach out and touch the baby’s skin. The screen had a yellowish pallor to it, but he could see defined features of cheeks, lips, fingers, toes, and eyes. They laughed when the baby yawned and then found a thumb to suck in utero. Ethan was captivated and couldn’t take his eyes from the screen. Inside Mya was a separate little world where Baby Tremaine was nestled safely.
Dr. Keen copied pictures for them and made extra at Ethan’s request. He wanted to send one to Easton so he could see his nephew or niece. It was like his father said, it didn’t matter who was the genetic parent when you saw a baby from the woman you love. You become the father in every possible way that mattered. This was his baby, his son our daughter, and he’d spend every last penny to see him or her happy.