by Unknown
I pulled out my smart phone and Googled family lawyers in the area.
I FELT BAD for answering the questions like I did in front of Bentley, but it’s the harsh truth. I didn’t have faith in him to not walk away when things got hard.
“Haley, please take off your sweater and shoes before stepping onto the scale.”
Cringing, I stepped on the scale. I always hated this part of doctor’s appointments. Watching the numbers climb always brought back so many bad memories.
“Fifty six point seven kilograms.”
“Is that good?”
“It’s roughly one hundred and twenty five pounds. Is that normal for you?”
“Yes.”
“Then it’s good,” she smiled. “Step down and I’ll take you to the exam room to get your blood pressure and get you into a gown.”
Removing the pressure cuff, Katie said, “One twenty over eighty. Things look good, Haley. Do you have any questions so far?”
“Just one. How much weight will I gain?”
“Well, that depends on the person. Some mothers gain thirty pounds, and some gain sixty. Honestly, it all depends on your eating habits, exercise, and your family history. I’ve even seen mothers walk out of the hospital in the skinny jeans they wore before becoming pregnant.”
Great. I won’t be one of those. “Can I still run?”
“You can as long as you remember to drink lots of water, and walk when you start to feel fatigued.”
Katie set a gown on the table and said, “Change into this and the doctor will be in shortly. He will examine you, check your blood pressure again, and listen to the baby’s heartbeat. Once he has done all of that, and with your permission of course, I’ll bring Bentley in for the ultra sound.”
“I’m sorry about putting you in a tight spot while filling out the paperwork. Honestly, Bentley and I haven’t had the time to work anything out yet.”
“Don’t worry about it, I have a baby daddy, too. The only difference is yours actually wants be here.” With that, Katie shut the door, and I pulled the gown on and waited for the doctor to arrive.
It felt like I was laying on the table forever. I’d counted three hundred pinholes in the ceiling tile before the door finally opened again. “Hi, Miss Wells, I’m Doctor Westward. Sorry I kept you so long, the hospital called, and it looks like I’ll be delivering a baby shortly.”
Leaning up on my elbows I replied, “Haley, please, and I understand. It could be me soon.” I smiled.
My mouth dropped open when he turned to face me. He looked like one of the men from the motorcycle show I watched the other night.
“I bet you were expecting my dad, Roger,” he laughed.
“I-I wasn’t. I mean I just knew I was seeing a doctor. Your dad is an OB/GYN, too?” Why was I rambling? Oh right, he was hot.
“Yes, my dad is the founder of the practice. I joined seven years ago, and my sister Holly graduates this year then she will also be joining the practice. Then hopefully, Dad can think about retirement.”
“That’s great,” I managed to say evenly, despite the inappropriate thoughts running rampant in my head.
“Your chart says you think you are twelve weeks pregnant?” He pulled out a color wheel-looking thing and estimated my due date as May eighteenth.
I almost gave him the exact date the baby was conceived, but figured I would sound neurotic for knowing it.
“I got the same blood pressure reading as Katie, which is good. The chart also says you are an avid runner, which is fine as long as you drink lots of water, and walk when you start to feel fatigued.”
“Katie said the same thing,” I confirmed.
“Good. I’m sure she has already mentioned this, but don’t hesitate to call her if you have any questions or concerns, no matter how trivial they seem.”
“I will.” I said as I tried to picture him without his shirt and on a motorcycle.
“Okay, lay back down, and let’s hear the baby’s heart beat.”
He laid a thin sheet over my lap and one over my chest then pulled out a radio looking thing. “I’m going to open the gown on your stomach and put some of this cold gel on it. Then, with this microphone looking thing, I’m going to smear the gel around and we should hear a heartbeat.”
I jumped a little when the gel touched my stomach and Dr. Westward chuckled, “I warned you it would be cold.”
Slightly embarrassed at my reaction I giggled and said, “I think you should tell your dad to invest in a bottle warmer for that stuff.”
“I’ll let him know your suggestion,” he laughed again.
Just as Dr. Westward was about to put the wand on my stomach, a wave of guilt rushed over me, making me call out, “Wait!”
He jerked his hand back. “Is there a problem, Haley?”
“I was just wondering if Bentley could come in here. I think it’s only right that he hears this for the first time too with me.”
“Not a problem. I’ll just buzz the front desk and Bentley will be here in a minute.”
“Thanks.”
I laid back and stared at the ceiling tiles again until I heard Dr Westward step back in the room. “He’s not my boyfriend. He’s just the baby’s father…wait that didn’t come out right. I’m not a slut, or anything. I’ve known Bentley since we were in high school. It’s wasn’t a one night stand, or anything…well, I guess it kinda was.” I put my hands up to my face and groaned, why was I telling him all of this? “It sounds so awful when I say it that way.”
Laughing Dr. Westward took my hands from my face, “Haley, don’t be embarrassed, I never even gave it a thought.”
I looked at him, “I bet now you are.”
“No, I was just thinking how beautiful your eyes are.”
I didn’t have time to reply because Bentley walked through the door and took a chair beside me. He leaned in to whisper in my ear, “Thank you, Haley.” I nodded up at him with a tight smile.
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.
“I’d say that you have a pretty strong heart beat in there. The heart rate is at roughly one hundred and thirty beats per minute.”
“That good?” Bentley asked.
“Yes.” Dr. Westward smiled.
I just closed my eyes and listened to the beating heart of my baby.
“Is it true you can tell the sex of a baby by the heart rate?” Bentley asked. I opened my eyes and looked at Bentley, shocked he even had a baby question. “What? Don’t look at me like that. I had time to read an article or two while I was waiting.”
“Personally, I think it’s too early to say one way or another, but there are myths out there that say you can. Anything under one fifty is considered a boy, and anything over is to be considered a girl. But there really isn’t any medical proof.”
“And you say the baby’s heart rate is one-thirty?” Bentley asked with a raised eyebrow.
“I did,” Dr. Westward smiled.
“Huh,” Bentley grinned down at me.
“I have time for an ultrasound, and I’d like to do one to check the position of the baby and get some measurements to confirm the May eighteenth delivery date. Would that be okay with you, Haley?”
“Yes, that’s fine,” I said, somewhat distracted by Bentley’s smug look.
“Okay then. I’ll be right back with the ultrasound. I guess I should have asked this first, but by chance did you drink water on your way here?”
“I did. I’ve been drinking all day; Katie suggested it when I made the appointment in case you wanted to do an ultrasound.”
“Great. I’ll be right back.”
LISTENING TO THE baby’s heartbeat almost brought me to tears. It took all of my strength to resist pulling Haley into my arms and thanking her. I almost shouted out that I loved her. A strong heart rate of one-thirty…a boy’s strong heartbeat. I sat back in the chair and crossed my arms over my chest, grinning like an idiot while we waited for the doctor to bring in the ultra sound machine.
“What has yo
u smiling so big?” Haley asked sitting up slightly.
“I’m having a son,” I stated simply.
“Bentley, that’s an old wise tale. Don’t get too confident over there.”
“Why not? I knocked you up the first go, and it’s gonna be a boy. As I see it, I think I have the right to sit here and be cocky for a few minutes.”
Rolling her eyes, Haley shifted, settling back down onto the table.
“AS YOU SEE here,” Dr. Westward pointed to a spot on the monitor, “that’s your baby, and if I just turn the volume up, we can hear the heart beat again.”
Swoosh, swoosh, swoosh.
I looked down at Haley and found her crying. Tears were leaking from her eyes into her ears as she was gripped the sheet covering her with all her might.
I took her hand in mine and kissed her tears away. Haley turned her head to me and spoke softly, “That’s my baby in there.”
I brushed my lips on her forehead and whispered in her ear, “That’s our baby, sweetheart, we made that.”
After Haley got dressed, the doctor and I rejoined Haley in the exam room.
“I printed off these pictures for you.” Doc handed Haley a white envelope. “Just remember to take your prenatal vitamins and drink plenty of water, and you should be fine. I’ll see you once a month until thirty-six weeks then I will see you weekly until he or she arrives.
“Thank you Dr. Westward.” I put my hand out to shake his.
“Not a problem.”
“Thank you,” Haley offered behind me.
“It’s been a pleasure to meet you, Haley.” With that, the doctor left the room.
“I’ll be right back,” I said just before the door closed on me.
“Okay,” she mumbled with a beautiful smile on her face.
I just caught the doctor before he turned the corner, “Dr. Westward?”
He turned around, “Yes?”
“I was wondering…if…”
“If Haley can have sex? Yes it’s perfectly safe until it’s time for the baby to arrive, even up to the last minute.”
“It’s safe? I mean no damage to the baby, and he won’t know what’s going on?”
“Nope, won’t know a thing.”
“How did you know I was going to ask that question?”
“All fathers do,” he laughed. “Bentley, I’m not sure what’s going on with you two, but the less stress she has, the better.”
“I plan to keep it that way Doc.”
“Glad to hear it Bentley, I’ll see you next month.”
AFTER HELPING HALEY into the truck and buckling myself in, I turned to her, “Thank you again Haley for this afternoon. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, but I’m sure glad I did whatever I did.”
“I didn’t do it for you, Bentley, I did it for the baby. I don’t plan on taking moments like that away from you. It’s not fair to either of you.”
And just like that, Haley’s wall went back up.
“Would you like to get dinner? I know it’s a bit early, but I’m starved.” I wasn’t really all that hungry, I was still on a high from seeing my son, but I wasn’t willing to let Haley go home yet, and I still had to get her to forgive me.
“That would be nice, thank you.”
“Where would you like to go?” She could say the moon and I’d find a way to take her.
“Doesn’t matter, you pick,” she said looking at her phone.
“Who are you calling?” I asked out of curiosity.
“My dad.”
“Why, you haven’t told your dad yet about the pregnancy?” I asked a bit surprised.
“No. I wanted to wait until I knew everything was okay. There was no point in getting people’s hopes up in case I lost the baby.”
“Why, were you having problems?”
“No. Just the books I read said you should wait until the first trimester is over before you start telling people.”
“Who did you tell besides my family?” I asked, pulling onto the street towards the closest Outback.
“The night I told your mom, Whitney and Maggie were over, and I only told them because Whitney wanted to move in with me after high school. I didn’t want to just say no without an explanation, so I told them I’m turning the extra room into a nursery.
I’m assuming your mom told your dad and Whitney told Travis. But that’s it…well, I guess I also told Carleigh a few days ago.” Looking out the windshield she asked me, “Have you told anyone?”
“Just Curtis. When I found out, I went to see him to talk things through. I was pretty pissed my family knew before me.”
“I’m sorry, Bentley.”
“No need to apologize; what’s done is done, and I think it’s better if we move on and celebrate our child.”
I could tell by the way she was fidgeting with the seatbelt that she was nervous and wanted to ask me something. I waited until she was ready to share whatever was on her mind, wanting her to feel comfortable to talk to me about anything.
“Do you think he’ll tell anyone?” I could hear the nervousness in her voice.
“Nah, just Loran, but she can keep a secret.”
“It’s just as well, I guess.”
“Why do you say that?” I asked.
“When he comes for the monthly rent inspection, I want to ask him if I can paint the nursery. Do you think he will have an issue with that?”
“I’ll talk to him. I’m sure it’ll be fine.”
“I don’t need any favors, Bentley. I can ask him myself.”
“Why are you being like this?” I asked with a bit of an edge to my voice.
“Like what?”
Nervous that she would misconstrue what I had to say, I took a deep breath to calm my voice, “Haley, I’m telling you right now I will be involved and help out with whatever you need. We’re in this together, like asking Curtis if we can paint the nursery, and I expect calls if you need help with putting up blinds, or even cutting the damn grass.”
“I hire that out.” she snipped.
“Hire what out?”
“The grass. I pay Mr. Johnson’s grandson to cut it.”
I let out a sigh, “Look Haley, I don’t want to fight. I just want to be there for you and for our child.”
“I don’t want to fight either, Bentley. I really don’t see the need to. You can be around for the baby as much as you want, I will never turn you away. But as for me…no, I don’t want you there for me. Not only did you manage to hurt me once, but you succeeded in shattering my heart. I gave you everything I had the night we slept together, and you just got up the next morning and…” she started crying before she could even finish. She curled up as tight as she could to the door and watched out the window as she wiped away her tears.
“Hales,” I breathed.
“No. Let’s just have an enjoyable dinner before we head home.”
The rest of the ride to the restaurant was just as silent as it was on the way to the doctor’s office.
“MISS, WOULD YOU care for any dessert?” the waiter asked Haley clearing away her half-eaten plate.
“No, thank you. I’m pretty full; it was delicious.”
“I’m glad to hear it, I’ll make sure to tell the cook.”
“Please do,” she smiled.
“Sir, how about you, any dessert?”
I looked at Haley, “I’ll have the chocolate fudge s’more brownie with vanilla ice cream and two spoons please.” Maybe if we share the dessert she will actually look at me.
“Very well, sir, and would you like any coffee to go with it?”
“No, thank you. Haley do you want coffee?”
“No, thanks, but I will have a half a glass of milk,” she smiled again at the waiter.
Every time our conversation started to flow, the waiter would come back to check on us, making it impossible for me to change Haley’s mood. And now he’s elicited more smiles from her in two minutes than I’ve been able to get all afternoon. This guy just needs to leav
e us alone.
Desperate for a conversation to ease some of the awkwardness, I finally asked, “How is the track team coming along?”
“Good, those boys of yours have picked up a lot of speed.”
“Yes, they have. Thank you, it sure helps on the field.”
“I’m happy to hear that.”
“I’m curious how the track meets and football games are going to co-mingle, though. I’m not really willing to let my first string players miss games. Especially since it’s their senior year, and I have scouts coming to check a few of the boys out, including Travis.”
“Travis too?” she beamed.
“Yeah, just don’t mention it to him. I want the scouts to see him play naturally before he gets all cocky.”
“Like you did?” she asked with her cute eyebrow raised.
“Like I did.”
“Actually, I have already talked to Coach Dudley, and I think we have most of it worked out, except for three games. Since track season is so short, he was willing to see if the other teams were willing to come here to play, which would allow the boys to do both.”
“Then they will be tired and not fully prepared to play football. Can’t they just miss the meet?”
“No, Bentley, they can’t just miss the meet.” Her anger was beginning to rise as she played with the napkin in her lap. “They made a commitment when they joined the team.”
“They joined the team because you were the new coach,” I said defending myself.
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Haley swore, throwing the napkin on the table.
“Nothing.” I closed my eyes for a minute. Was there one topic that we could agree on?
“It obviously meant something, or you wouldn't have said it.”
“You want the truth? Fine. Haley, you are hot. Any man would do just about anything to see you in those running shorts. Fuck, even our waiter couldn’t keep his eyes off you tonight and you’re fully dressed.”
Haley stood from the table at the same time the waiter arrived with dessert. She dug in her purse and passed him her credit card, “I would like the bill now, please, and place it on my credit card.”
