Total pages in book: 110
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 107803 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 539(@200wpm)___ 431(@250wpm)___ 359(@300wpm)
“This right here is the gestational sac. Do you see that right there?”
Caden took my hand in his as we both said, “Yes.”
“That is your baby,” she said, smiling.
“It looks like a frog!” Caden blurted.
The doctor chuckled. “That’s the baby’s little arms and legs right there.”
I stared at the little blob on the screen as tears welled up. “She’s beautiful.”
Caden grinned. “Or he.”
“I’ve got something even cooler for you,” Dr. Lawrence said. “Do you see that little flutter on the screen? That’s the heart.”
The sound of her heartbeat suddenly filled the room, and a sob slipped free before I could cover my mouth with my hand.
“Holy shit,” Caden whispered, as he squeezed my other hand.
“Oh, she or he is wiggling!”
Dr. Lawrence clicked around and did some measurements. “I’m just measuring so we can get a better idea of how far along you are.”
I looked at Caden—and my breath caught in my throat. A single tear was rolling down his cheek as he watched the screen. I looked away before I broke out into full-on sobs.
“The baby is three-quarters of an inch. About the size of a raspberry.”
“Wow!” Caden and I said at the same time.
The heartbeat filled the room again, the sound pulsing through my entire body.
“Heartbeat is nice and strong at 160 beats per minute.”
“That is crazy!” Caden laughed.
“If you’d like to know the sex, we can find out through bloodwork or wait until your 18-20 week sonogram.”
Glancing at me, Caden raised his brows.
“I think I’d like to wait for the sonogram.”
He nodded. “Totally up to you, Lili.”
“Okay, well, everything’s looking amazing so far, Lilibeth. You’re eight weeks pregnant, and that makes your due date August twenty-third.”
Caden took a few steps back and dropped down into the chair.
“You okay, Dad?” Dr. Lawrence asked with a wink. “It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it?”
He nodded. “Can the baby hear us?”
“Not yet. That will be around twenty-three weeks.” She looked at me. “At around sixteen weeks and after, you’ll be able to feel the baby. It’ll feel like butterflies in your stomach, and at first, you might not even notice it.”
I nodded. “Okay.”
She handed Caden the ultrasound photos. “Here are some photos for you. Do either of you have any questions for me?”
“I can’t think of any. Caden?”
He stared down at the photos for a long moment, then looked up. “Um, no, not right now.”
Turning to me, she smiled. “Congratulations, Lilibeth. I’ve got a little book that the nurse will give you with some great information. If you need anything before our next appointment, here’s my card. My cell number’s on there as well, in case there’s ever an emergency.”
I took the card she handed me. “Thank you so much.”
“It was a pleasure meeting you both, and I’ll see you at your next checkup.”
“Thank you, Dr. Lawrence,” Caden said, with his charming smile.
The door shut, and Caden sat back down, looking once more at the photos.
I quickly stood and got dressed, taking advantage of Caden seeming to be lost in thought.
He looked up at me, frowning. “Do you have insurance?”
“What?” I asked, confused.
“Insurance, Lilibeth. Do you have health insurance?”
“Yes. I got it when I started the business and my S-Corp.”
Standing, he asked, “Do you have co-insurance or a deductible?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“Then I’ll cover whatever your out-of-pocket expenses are.”
I shook my head. “No. Caden, I’m already moving into your house; that’s more than enough.”
“I’m not going to argue with you about this, Lilibeth. That child inside of you is half my responsibility, so I’ll cover your out-of-pocket expenses. My father would hang me up by my toes if he ever found out I wasn’t helping with that.”
After getting dressed, I sighed as Caden handed me my jacket. “I still feel like I’m in shock. There is a literal baby inside of me. Growing. Relying on me.”
“Speaking of,” Caden said, as he opened the door, then grabbed my hand and led me back to the waiting area. “We need to get you something to eat.”
“Please don’t start trying to put food in my mouth.”
He huffed. “You heard her, Lili. You need to eat. We’re going to Anna’s for breakfast.”
I stopped walking, and he turned to look at me.
“What?”
“What are people going to say?”
Before he could answer, the nurse walked up and handed me a small book and a prescription. “Here’s the book Dr. Lawrence was talking about, and your prenatal vitamins ’script.”
“Oh, thank you so much.”
“Sure thing. See you next month.”
Caden and I walked up to the checkout window. I was told what my insurance would cover for the visit, and Caden paid for what it wouldn’t.
“Can you please keep this card on file, and use it for any co-pays?”
The young woman behind the counter grinned. “Of course we can. Congratulations to you and your wife.”
“We’re not married,” I said quickly.
“Girlfriend?” she asked, with a sudden gleam in her eye.