Page 32 of Our Little Wedding

She wrapped the cuff around my arm. “Relax,” she said as the cuff tightened. She watched, frowning. “It’s higher than I’d like to see at this stage,” she said, going back around to her chair and typing into the computer. “Have you been experiencing any stress?”

Spencer looked at me and waited for me to say something, only I kept quiet.

“Ainsley?” Dr. Pines questioned. “Have you been experiencing any stress?”

I knew Spencer would probably say something if I didn’t, so I slowly nodded my head. “Yes. I’m also a little nervous.”

“Nothing to be nervous about. I also noticed that your weight is a little low as well. Have you been eating okay?”

“Yes.”

“Actually,” Spencer jumped in, “she barely eats on a good day.”

Dr. Pines looked over at me. “Ainsley, you need to eat. Especially now. I see from your family doctor that you’ve always had an issue eating, especially when you’re experiencing stress.”

I nodded. “Yes, that is true.” In the time Spencer and I were apart after my father found us, I’d lost almost twenty pounds in a month. I still hadn’t put all that weight back on and then I found out I was pregnant.

“Okay, so we will go over a healthy diet before you go today. Now, how about you lay back?” Dr. Pines said with a smile as she pulled a tray with a machine on it behind her. “I want to take a peek at this baby. If we are lucky, we may even hear a heartbeat. I’ll just have you slip in behind that screen in the corner and put the gown on, open at the front.”

I did as she requested and when I came back out, the doctor had already adjusted the table so I could lie down a little more. I walked over and climbed back up, Spencer coming over to my side and taking hold of my hand as I lay back.

She placed a blanket over my legs. “Now, we will just open your gown a little. You can leave your breasts covered.”

I did as she asked. She squirted some cold jelly onto my belly. Then she took a wand and rubbed it over my abdomen.

She studied the monitor, moving the wand slowly over my abdomen. “There we go,” she said, pointing to the screen.

“Is that it?” I asked, trying to see something that resembled a baby.

“That is it.” Dr. Pines smiled, pointing to the monitor as she continued to move the wand over my abdomen, pressing a little harder than before. “Let’s see if we can get a heartbeat.”

A frown came to her face as she moved the wand, and I got a little worried. “Is there something wrong?” I questioned, lifting my back off the table.

“No, Ainsley, just relax.”

Spencer tightened his hold on my hand and brought a kiss to my forehead, trying to comfort me, but I was growing increasingly worried that something wasn’t right from the look on the doctor’s face.

“Why haven’t we heard the heartbeat?” I asked, alarm in my voice.

“Well, sometimes we can’t hear it just yet. It’s nothing to be concerned about,” she said, turning the monitor closer to her as she continued waving the wand over my stomach at a slower pace. “We will set up another appointment for two weeks from now. Lots of times I can’t get a heartbeat this early. Doesn’t necessarily mean something is wrong.”

She shut the machine off and passed me a cloth, and I quickly wiped up the jelly. Spencer held my hand while I got off the table and went and got changed. When I returned, I sat beside Spencer.

“Now, I’d like to talk to you about restrictions. First, I am printing out a healthy selection of foods that I want you to make sure you are eating. Also, a portion guide. I also want as little stress as possible for you. Do you know what some stresses are?” Dr. Pines asked, quickly making a note. “Is it family?”

I gave a small nod. “How did you guess?”

Dr. Pines smiled. “Well, you aren’t the first couple I’ve had that have had such a difference in age. Plus, your family doctor filled me in on a few things.”

I nodded again. “I see.”

“So, I’d like you to limit those visits with the ones who are the primary cause of those stressors.”

I nodded and looked at Spencer, who softly smiled and winked.

“Is there any reason that stress could harm the baby?” I questioned.

“Well, stress isn’t good for any of us. I tell all my patients to limit their stress triggers.” She smiled. “Also, I don’t want you lifting anything heavier than twenty-five pounds.”