Page 46 of Pieces of Us
She opens the box and pushes it over to me. The sugary scent passes in a wave over me and fuck my stomach. I cover my mouth and rush to the bathroom.
In between heaves, I hear her say, “So, donuts are a no.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Linc
The two weeks before Melonie’s doctor appointment almost killed me. Not being able to talk about this with my two closest friends, or my mom and dad, has been horrible. I have so many fears, questions, and damn it, I’m excited. As the days pass, I can’t wait to see the ultrasound.
I arrive at the doctor’s office ten minutes before Mel’s appointment time. Over the past two weeks, she’s been more responsive to my daily texts. She even let me bring over dinner for her one evening when she had a rough day at work. I just want to feel useful, and I hope she’s starting to understand that.
When I walk into the waiting room, I see her in a chair, filling out forms. I walk over and sit beside her.
“Sorry I’m late. I had a meeting run over.”
She smiles. “You’re not late. I just had to be early to fill out all of this paperwork.” She huffs out a breath. “I have no clue if my grandparents had glaucoma. It’s so much.”
“They really need to know that stuff?”
“If I had to guess, I think it’s busy work.”
I lean back in the chair. My leg bounces as I’m starting to feel the nerves and excitement. Mel puts her hand on my knee to stop me.
“Sorry.”
“It’s okay. I know you’re looking forward to the ultrasound.”
“I don’t know how you’re so calm.”
“Because I know they’re going to poke around in places that aren’t fun.” She laughs.
“I don’t know about that; I remember those places being pretty fun.” I give her a grin.
She slaps my arm and fights a smile. “Calm down, Daddy.”
“Shit, don’t call me that, Mel.”
“But you’re literally a dad now.”
“You can use Dad. Only the baby is allowed to call me Daddy.”
She shakes her head. “You’re ridiculous.”
The nurse finally opens the door to call Mel’s name. We both stand, and I place my hand in between her shoulder blades.
We’re put in a room with machines and screens. The nurse goes over information and takes her vitals. I’m ashamed to admit I didn’t listen to a lot of it; I’m too distracted by my thoughts and all the machines in the room. Finally, the nurse tells her to lie down on a table and the ultrasound tech will be in shortly.
“Is it okay if I sit next to you?”
“Of course, just make sure you can see that screen.”
“I can’t stop sweating.”
“Why are you sweating? ”
“I’m about to see pictures of a human that I made. I mean, I know it won’t look like a human, but I’m excited to see it.”
She turns her head to look at me. “You really say some odd things sometimes, but I know what you mean. It will be weird to see what’s growing inside me.”
