Page 77 of Summer on Sunshine Bay

“Ruth saw you, and she called to ask if you were okay. You are, aren’t you? You and the baby are fine?” her mother asked, taking Lila’s hand in hers as she glanced at Dr. Alva.

Dr. Alva sighed. “You know I can’t say anything, Eva.”

“It’s okay, Dr. Alva. You can tell them what you told me.”

Her mother looked as if she was going to throw up. Lila gave her hand a reassuring squeeze. “Mom, I’m fine, and Dr. Alva said the baby’s heartbeat is strong.” Lila smiled at the memory of hearing the baby’s heartbeat for the first time.

“You are, but as I said, I’d like you to gain some weight and keep your stress levels to a minimum, Lila.” Dr. Alva gave Eva a pointed look.

Eva opened her mouth, then closed it and nodded.

Dr. Alva lifted Lila’s blouse, squirting the cold gel on her stomach. “Now let’s have a look at the baby.” She motioned for Lila’s aunt and cousins to come closer.

The three of them crowded around Lila, jostling for position. Sage frowned, pointing at the screen. “What is that?”

“It’s the baby,” Dr. Alva said.

“Really? It looks like an ali—” Sage clamped her mouth shut when Lila, Willow, Gia, and Eva turned their heads to glare at her.

Dr. Alva pointed out the hands and feet as she took measurements. Lila stared at her baby on the screen and blinked back tears. She glanced back at her aunt and Willow, who were sniffling and wiping at their eyes, while Sage stared at the screen with her brow pleated.

Lila’s mother squeezed her hand, giving her a tender smile. “She’s beautiful, darling. Just like you.”

“Thanks, Mom. But you can’t tell if it’s a boy or a girl.”

“Of course it’s a girl. Rosetti women only have girls.”

“Okay, but the Westfields have boys.”

“Bah, our genes are stronger,” her mother said, sounding like Carmen.

Dr. Alva looked as if she was struggling not to laugh, and then she asked Lila, “Are you sure you still want to know the baby’s gender?”

Lila nodded. It was something she and David had discussed before she’d made the appointment.

Dr. Alva smiled. “Your mother’s right. You’re having a girl, and she’s developing beautifully.”

She printed off two copies of the sonogram and handed them to Lila, who promptly burst into tears. Her baby was healthy. She hadn’t realized how worried she’d been about the baby until that moment. Willow and Sage stared at her. “Sorry. I don’t know why I’m crying. I’m happy.”

“We know you are, darling,” her mother said, giving her a hug. “We’ve all been through it. It’s just hormones.”

“Your mother’s right. Your hormones will level out in the next couple of weeks.” Dr. Alva handed Lila a tissue to wipe her stomach. “And speaking of hormones, how are yours, Eva?”

Her aunt got in on the conversation, and while the three women talked, Lila glanced at Sage. “What are you doing in Sunshine Bay?”

“Jennifer told Gavin she wants a divorce. She wanted me there for support.”

Lila felt bad that she’d been angry at David for missing the appointment. She just wished he’d let her know. She could’ve been there to support him. “How did it go?” Lila asked as she got off the examination table and tossed the tissue in the wastepaper basket.

“Not great. Gavin apparently had no idea this was coming.”

Lila felt sorry for David. It wouldn’t be easy for him being caught between his parents. She hugged her cousins. “Thanks for being here with me, even if you think my baby looks like an alien,” she teased Sage.

“I wasn’t going to say she looked like an alien.” Sage glanced at the picture in Lila’s hand. “I was going to say she’s adorable.”

Lila laughed at her cousin’s attempt to hide her grimace. “Sure you were.”

Sage grinned. “When she grows into her head, I’m sure she will be.”

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