Page 101 of Missing Marcus

“No. You don’t say?” she teased and laughed.

The nurse arrived and escorted them down the hall. “Mr. Hutchins, you can sit by Mrs. Hutchin’s head.” She turned to Gabby. “You know the drill, hop on the bed, and raise your shirt. Did you still want to keep the sex secret?”

Gabby hesitated.

“We don’t want to know. Please turn the monitor around while you examine everything. My wife and I want to keep it a surprise.”

The sonogram technician entered, and the nurse repeated his instructions. Then she turned to Gabby and Marcus. “When you’re finished, please return to the exam room.”

Gabby shyly lifted her top, giving Marcus his first full view of her expanded stomach. She shifted uneasily as she peered at him and her hand covered her tummy.

Marcus bent and kissed her forehead and leaned close to her ear. “You’re beautiful. Our baby rests inside you, and I find it the most incredible thing ever to witness. Don’t hide it. Be proud of it, as I am of you.”

The sonographer squirted the liquid on her and ran the wand across her growing belly. “I’m taking measurements and Dr. Beecham will review the results.” When she finished, she turned the monitor toward the couple. “Here’s your little bundle of joy.”

Knight watched in wonder as the baby moved. Gabby softly laughed. “The baby has your nose.”

“No. It’s too beautiful to get its looks from me,” he whispered. “Do you see this, Gabby? Our baby is perfect.”

Gabby smiled as a tear fell sideways down her cheek. The sonographer handed her a tissue as she dabbed her eyes, never taking them from the screen.

“How can I love something when I haven’t even met it?” he asked in awe.

“Because we created it in love,” Gabby answered sadly.

Marcus glanced around the room, realizing the sonographer left to give them privacy. After months of not knowing what tore them apart, he returned home and desperately made love to her, trying to feel the bond they shared. For a brief moment, he found it. He refused to allow Gabby to believe their precious gift resulted from a moment of raw need.

“It came from our love,” he said firmly, echoing her statement.

“Yeah,” she murmured.

He imagined she remembered the night of the baby’s conception, and he wanted her to never doubt how they created their little miracle. He vowed to prove how much he loved her.

They waitedin the exam room for Dr. Beecham to show. Gabby sat on the exam table while Marcus sat in the chair against the wall. His foot tapped the floor, indicating his excitement as he held the ultrasound pictures.

Dr. Beecham entered and smiled at the couple.

“Hello, Gabby. Marcus. Baby appears fine. Your weight and vitals appear in the normal range. I’ll want to see you weekly until the baby’s birth. Do you plan on staying out of town long?” the doctor asked.

Gabby remained silent.

“No. We’ll only stay for a day and return. Does she have any restrictions since we’re driving?” he asked.

“You’ll need to stop and walk around frequently. I’ll ask the nurse to bring you a pair of compression stockings. Wear them while traveling. Drink plenty of fluids and I recommend if it’s a long trip, you break it up.”

Gabby groaned.

He squeezed her hand reassuringly.

When Dr. Beecham left them, he helped her down from the examination table.

His phone rang, and Patch’s name showed on the screen as they walked to the truck. He helped her inside before sliding into the driver’s seat.

“Hi, Patch.”

“Hey, Asshole. We’re ready to roll. Shadow will arrive by the time you get to the facility. We’ve packed the minivan and left room for Gabby to recline. It’ll be more comfortable for her.”

Marcus swallowed the lump in his throat when he heard how the team coordinated the drive for his wife’s comfort and planned to have his back. “Thanks.”

---