“If you’ll follow me,” he stands and moves towards the examination bed in the corner. “And lay down. We’ll see what’s happening with your baby.”
I lay down and Grayson grabs a chair, moving next to me and holding my hand in both of his. I’m not sure if he’s excited or nervous, or maybe both. His face doesn’t give anything away. Doctor Bates lifts my blouse, exposing my slightly rounder belly, and squirts some cold gel onto my skin. I flinch. “Sorry about that, it’s a little cold.” He presses the wand and a loud swooshing sound comes through the machine. He moves the wand around a little more until a steady thumpthump infiltrates the silence in the room. All I can think is Wow.
“And that,” Doctor Bates confirms, “Is your baby’s heartbeat.”
Grayson and I stare at the screen, completely spellbound by the sound surrounding us and the picture in front of us. “My jelly bean,” I whisper.
Grayson moves closer until his elbows rest on the bed beside my exposed belly and I chance a look at him. His face is still, but his eyes glow with disbelief and adoration. He looks at the doctor. “Can we find out the sex?”
“We normally wait until twenty weeks to determine the sex, because by then the baby’s genitals are more developed, but if your baby is in the right position, there’s a small chance we can see what you’re having. Let’s take a look shall we?” He moves the wand around, pressing harder in some places. “If I can just…” he pauses, leaning in closer to the screen. “Right there.” He sits up straight. “Miss Morgan, I’m ninety seven percent sure that you, my dear, are having a boy. And he’s not shy either,” Doctor Bates chuckles.
“A boy,” I repeat robotically. I look at Grayson and see the tears slip down his cheeks. “A son,” he chokes out. “We’re having a son.”
Our eyes meet and he kisses me hard. When he pulls away, he starts peppering kisses all over my face, my cheeks, my eyes. Resting his forehead against mine, he whispers “Thank you” and I don’t think I can love him more. My fears disintegrate as I realize that he really isn’t going anywhere. I look into his loving eyes and know that I wouldn’t want to be doing this with anyone else.
“We’re having a son,” Grayson laughs and I get lost in the joy that fills his voice.
Doctor Bates cleans my belly and prints some ultrasound pictures. “I want to see you again in four weeks, but if you feel ill or have any concerns, you can call and make an appointment sooner.”
Still slightly speechless, I nod and take the Doctors’ card. We say goodbye, stopping at the counter to make a follow-up appointment and to collect my pre-natal vitamins, before Grayson takes me back to his truck.
I catch him he grinning while holding the ultrasound pictures in his hands. He looks like a child on Christmas morning, waiting to open his presents. The aura surrounding him is contagious and I feel it deep in my soul.
“Where to next?” The question comes out at the same time that my stomach growls.
Grayson chuckles, “I think it’s time to feed you and Jelly Bean.” He leans over the middle console and gives me a chaste kiss. I want more, so much more, but I can wait. Food is more important right now. “We’re going to my parents for dinner.”
He peels out of the hospital parking lot and heads in the direction of his parents’ house. The drive is only about fifteen minutes, but I turn the radio up and start humming to Phillip Phillips’ ‘Gone’ as it plays through the speakers. My hands rest on my belly, thrumming along to the music. Grayson is watching me from the corner of his eye and when I turn to look at him, he gives me a bright smile accompanied by the dimples I want to lick.
“What?” I ask shyly, tucking a stray strand of hair behind my ear.
“You’re gorgeous.”
I blush, even though he’s said it to me a thousand times. “Will you still think I’m gorgeous when I’m big and round,” I giggle.
“Baby, if it was possible to keep you pregnant all the time I would. You’re gorgeous to me in every way.” I melt at the sweetness of his words. He looks back at the road but places a hand on my belly, rubbing it gently. He’s become obsessed with touching it. And touching me. Not that I’m complaining though. His touches drive me delirious.
“I can’t wait until he starts kicking.”
“I can,” I sigh. “If he’s anything like you he’ll probably start playing football before he comes out.”
“Better get used to it,” Grayson snickers. ”I want a big family.”
My eyebrows shoot up and I stare at him. “Oh really?”