What kind of mother would I be if I couldn’t make out my baby’s form on the screen?
“What’s wrong?”
A sob ripped its way out of my throat so loud and wretched sounding that I could barely get my words out. “I can’t see it. I can’t see my baby.”
Viktor’s arms wrapped around my shoulders. The tip of his chin came to rest on my hair and pointed. He showed me with his fingers where my baby was.
Next to the machine, the doctor stood and watched. A half smile on her face.
She must think I was pathetic.
“I’m sorry.” I hiccuped as I tried to concentrate on what Viktor was saying.
She smiled indulgently. “It’s ok, my dear, your hormones will be all over the place right now. We all understand and your husband,” her eyes raked over Viktor’s tall frame before she schooled her features back into professionalism, “Is very—” she smiled, and I couldn’t help it, I smiled as well.
Yes, he was being perfect.
I gave him my full attention again, frowning at the screen as he pointed out the head and legs.
“Can you see it now, Printsessa?”
I nodded because I did think I could see it.
Leaning forward, I nodded. “Yeah, I think I do.” I moved another inch forward, and it all suddenly made sense.
I could see our baby, and it was beautiful.
More tears sprang up into my eyes.
“Printsessa.” Wrapping me in his arms, Viktor peppered kisses all over my face. “Why are you crying? If you can’t see it, then I’ll show you again.”
I cut him off. “It is beautiful.” I hiccuped and was rewarded by a flash of white teeth as his face split open in a wide smile.
“Yes, it are. Beautiful and precious like you. God, I lo—”
“Do you want to know what you are having?” The doctor interjected, and Viktor scowled at her.
“No,” he snapped and then caught himself when I squeezed his arm. “I mean, no thank you, doctor. We would like to wait,” he added quickly.
“Old-fashioned! I like that. Well there are a few blood tests to do, but everything is looking great. You should be welcoming your new bundle of joy in the summer. But we will keep an eye on Leah through out. Now, why don’t you two make yourselves comfortable? I’ll be right back with the other tests.”
She left, closing the door behind her softly, and the moment she did, Viktor was kissing my lips. Softly but passionately.
“We are having a baby,” he whispered against my mouth. But he didn’t give me a chance to answer him before his tongue was back in my mouth, and I couldn’t think of anything but the feel of his body pressing against mine.
“Yep.” Finally, I pulled free, but I kept my arms around his neck. “Yep, it looks like we are.” I glanced at where the screen was frozen with a close-up image of the baby.
My baby.
Our baby.
“Excited?”
“If that door were locked, I would show you just how excited I am. Just how much I owe you for this.”
“You don’t owe me, Viktor.” I frowned. That was a weird thing to say, like we were back to having a contract, but now the baby was part of it.
The last two weeks had been great, but he hadn’t said once how he felt. I hadn’t mentioned my feelings again either. It was kind of like we were in limbo.