Page 25 of Ruined

“Promise me that you’re going to help me get through this?” she softly requested.

“I promise, Adelaide,” I swore, letting my eyes meet hers. “I’m not leaving your side.”

A few minutes later, Dr. Howard stepped into the room, acting as if nothing had ever happened, and for that, I was grateful. “Alright, Adelaide, we’re going to do an ultrasound to check on your little one, okay? Based on the date of your last period, you’re almost six weeks along, so you should be able to hear your little one’s heartbeat if you’d like.” She nodded at him. “Alright. You two follow me,” he instructed.

Addy stood, and I did as well, instantly lacing my fingers through hers as we followed Dr. Howard down a couple of halls to a dark room. A huge TV screen was on the wall, and beside the little cot in the room was a machine with a couple of wands attached to it with a small screen and a tiny printer. He told us that he would see us back in the room we had just come out of once we were finished here before he dipped.

A lady came out from behind a curtain, a smile lighting up her face. “Hi!” she exclaimed, overly chipper. “My name is Alyssa,and I’ll be doing your ultrasound today,” she explained to Addy. “I just need you to lay back on the cot and pull your shirt up and unbutton your jeans. Just slide them down for me a tiny bit, okay?”

Addy nodded and did as she was instructed. I stood beside the cot, holding one of her hands in mine as I slowly ran my fingers through her hair. Alyssa squeezed some gel on Addy’s belly and then pressed one of the wands against her skin. Instantly, a gritty image popped up on the screen. Everything around it was gray, and there was a black-looking… hole? I had no idea how to describe it.

Addy squeezed my hand tightly, and I could feel her rapidly beating pulse through her hand. I gave her hand a gentle squeeze in return, a silent reminder that I was still there with her.

Suddenly, two tiny balls popped up on the screen. Alyssa stopped the screen, taking what seemed to be measurements. “This is your baby,” she said, pointing an arrow to it on the screen and typing the word ‘baby’, “and this is the yolk sac.”

Alyssa smiled over at Addy, who was rendered speechless. “Would you like to hear the heartbeat?”

Addy nodded. There was a couple of taps on the keyboard, and then suddenly, I heard it.

Whoosh-whoosh. Whoosh-whoosh. Whoosh-whoosh.

It wasn’t even my kid, but at that moment, I fell in love with Addy’s baby, and I was jealous as fuck of Joey, even if he was no longer with us.

Tears streamed down Addy’s cheeks. She looked up at me, a small, breathy laugh falling past her lips. The beautiful soundwarmed the darkest, coldest parts of my soul. “She’s real,” Addy breathed.

“She?” I asked, unable to stop the smile that spread across my lips.

Addy nodded. “I have a damn good feeling that I’m going to have a girl, and she’s going to have Joey’s eyes and attitude.”

My mood soured at the thought of Joey, but I knew Adelaide needed this. And if it made her happy, then so be it. I would suck it up.

Alyssa smiled and handed Addy three pictures. “You can go through that curtain there,” she said, pointing to a small curtain, “and clean the gel off of your belly.”

Addy handed me the pictures as she got off of the bed, disappearing behind the curtain. “You two are very lucky parents. The baby seems very strong and seems to be on track for how far along she is. Congratulations on being parents,” she said warmly as Addy appeared from behind the curtain.

I looked to Addy, smiling at her, so happy to see a small smile on her face after looking so sad ever since Joey passed. “Thank you. I’m just happy to be having a baby with a woman as incredible as her,” I told Alyssa, though my words were solely for the beautiful woman in front of me. Addy’s smile widened at me as she allowed me to grab her hand and link our fingers together. “Should we just head back to Dr. Howard’s room?”

Alyssa nodded. Once we were back in Dr. Howard’s room, Addy leaned up to kiss me again. Fuck, she was finally loosening up with me, and I was loving every second of it. I needed my Addy baby back. “Did you mean what you said in there?” Addy asked me softly.

Looking down at her, I nodded. “Of course, I did. Addy, this baby may not be mine, but the moment I heard that heartbeat, I fell in love with it.” Her beautiful eyes welled with tears. “I want to be here for you every step of the way. Through the mood swings, through the morning sickness, even the labor and delivery. I want to help you raise this baby, Addy.”

Tears slipped down her cheeks at my words. “You’re too damn amazing, Tristan,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.

Reaching up, I wiped the tears from her cheeks, giving her a warm, soft smile. “Only for you, Addy baby,” I told her, and it was true. For anyone else, I would have booted them to the curb.

For Addy? I would fucking do anything to keep her by my side.

Dr. Howard stepped into the room., breaking our heartfelt moment. “Alright. Well, your baby appears to be healthy and developing right on track, Adelaide.” He handed Addy a thick folder. “This is everything you can expect every week while you’re pregnant, with your body as well as how the baby is developing. I’ve also added in a list of over-the-counter medications that are safe to take while you’re pregnant, and there’s some information on some prenatal yoga classes, some parenting classes, etc., if you’re interested.” He looked at me. “If something is happening, and it’s worrying you, you know how to reach me after hours.”

I nodded. I had Dr. Howard’s private number, and if something were happening with Adelaide, he could bet on a phone call. I wouldn’t take any chances—not with her or her baby.

He looked back at Adelaide. “Here’s a prescription for some prenatal vitamins that you need to begin taking tomorrow morning,” he told her as he handed her a prescription paper. Sheput it in the folder. “You look as if you already exercise. What do you do?” Dr. Howard asked her.

“I normally fight,” Addy told him. I sighed. That was going to have to stop.

He shook his head at her. “I wouldn’t do that anymore if I were you.” Adelaide pursed her lips in distaste. “Some boxing with a punching bag probably won’t hurt, but no more actual fights. Light walking and jogging are good, but the moment you begin to feel tired, call it quits. You’re pregnant, and you don’t need to overdo yourself.”

She nodded in understanding, though she looked as if the idea of no longer fighting left a sour taste in her mouth. I knew it was how she burned off all her toxic energy, but she was going to have to find another outlet. “Three meals a day is extremely important with some light snacks in-between. No more caffeine and drink plenty of water. I want you to come back in a month for a follow-up appointment.”

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