Page 68 of Together

“That’s our baby,” I say, reverently.

“Yeah,” Ashley replies, same tone in her voice. “It’s amazing.”

“Can I,” I lift my phone up, “Can I record it?”

“Of course.”

“Ooh, good idea,” Ashley says, beaming.

I press the button of the voice record app on my phone for thirty seconds, capturing our baby’s heartbeat so I can listen to it again later.

“I’ve been doing this for over fifteen years and I can honestly say this part never gets old.” Dr. Fletcher turns off the machine and takes a washcloth to clean off the goo she had squirted onto Ashley’s stomach. She sets everything aside then helps Ashley sit up, her legs hanging over the edge of the bed. “If you have any questions or concerns between now and your next appointment, don’t hesitate to reach out. You can contact me through your patient portal or call the office directly. Otherwise, I’ll see you in a month.”

“Thank you.”

Dr. Fletcher nods and walks quietly of the exam room, shutting the door behind her.

“That was…”

“Incredible,” I finish for Ashley.

“It really was.” She wipes a few tears from her cheek. “I had no idea it would sound like that.”

“Me either. It’s so loud. And fast.”

“Can you send me the recording?”

“Yeah.” I open the recording and hit share, choosing her contact.

She slips off the bed and I help her into her coat, handing her purse to her once she’s settled.

“That was even better than I expected,” she admits.

“Same. It feels real now, at least to me. Not that it wasn’t real before,” I rush to explain, “but I haven’t had the pleasure of morning sickness to remind me of how real it is,” I say, smirking.

She wrinkles her nose. “The sickness definitely helps to remind me there’s a baby in there.”

“What do you have the rest of the day?” I ask her once we’re inside the truck and it’s started up.

“Today’s my day off so I planned to do some errands. I need to go to the grocery store and wash my car, do some laundry.”

“Fun day, then.”

“You know it. What about you?”

“Need to go into the office for a bit, but I would like to have dinner with you tonight, if you’re up for it.”

She smiles to herself. “Dinner tonight?”

“If you’re up for it,” I repeat.

“I think I can manage that.”

“Will your sister allow it?”

She sighs heavily at my reminder of her sister. “I don’t know that I care. I know that she’s hurting but what she was saying to you this morning wasn’t okay.”

“If it helps, it didn’t bother me.”

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