Page 32 of Two Weeks
What had she said? Elise blinked a few times. “Ma’am?”
“The ultrasound.” Dr. West looked a little confused. “Did you want the test now, Elise?” The woman smiled, patient. “I can perform the ultrasound, if you’re ready.”
Elise felt like she was going to be sick. What was she even doing here? At a crisis pregnancy center? She was supposed to be focusing on school. Getting the right grades so she could be accepted to NYU.
“Elise?” Cole touched her hand. “You okay?”
“Umm.” She looked at Cole. “Yes. I’m... I’m fine.” There was no way out of this disaster without doing the ultrasound. She had to know. Playing mind games with herself wasn’t helping anything.
Dr. West stepped back a few feet. “I can give you a little time if you want.”
“No.” Elise blurted out her answer. “I’m ready.”
Cole stared deep into her eyes. “You’re sure?”
Elise nodded. She walked into the room and looked back at Cole’s aunt. “What do I do?”
“I’ll have to pull your shirt up a bit. Are you...?” Dr. West nodded toward Cole. “Do you want Cole in here?”
This was the last place Elise wanted Cole to see her. Already, he’d been the best friend she could’ve wanted at a time like this. But that didn’t mean she wanted him to watch the test. Especially if her shirt had to be up.
“Just me.” She lifted her gaze to Cole’s. “Okay?”
“Of course.” Cole started to leave. He wore his red and white baseball shirt and cap. In case the snowy weather had let up and he’d had to get to practice. The sight of him was another reminder that her trouble shouldn’t have been his. Grades and baseball. That’s all Cole should’ve been dealing with this semester.
But just as her thoughts turned on her, he stopped and spun around, his eyes deep with concern. “I’ll be in the lobby. If you need me.”
Elise wanted to be strong. But tears were building in her eyes and throat. “Thanks.” She watched him go and her mind formed one single thought.
Cole Blake had never looked cuter.
Dr. West closed the door behind them. She instructed Elise to lie on the table and lift her shirt. “Just a little.” She took a tube and squirted gel on a white paddle. “This can get a bit messy.”
“It’s all right.”
Cole’s aunt turned on the boxy computer and the screen came to life. Elise was flat on her back, her eyes glued to the ceiling.God, if You’re there, please don’t let me really be pregnant. It would ruin everything.Her thoughts raced as fast as her heartbeat.I can’t go to NYU with a baby. I’m not ready for this. None of this. Please, God.
“Here we go.” Dr. West came closer. Elise wasn’t sure what she expected, but all at once, the warm gel and the paddle were on her skin and a sound filled the room. A fast whooshing, thudding sound. Over and over and over again.
“See that?” Cole’s aunt was kind. Her voice soft and certain.
Elise turned her head to the screen.
Dr. West pointed to a pea-size white dot at the bottom of a dark circle.
Please God, no.“The white thing?”
“Yes.” Dr. West pointed again to the small object. “That’s your baby. I’d say you’re about thirteen or fourteen weeks along. Just starting your second trimester.” She started talking about a due date.
But Elise couldn’t hear anything she said.My baby?This couldn’t be happening. She couldn’t have a baby. She was a high school senior ready to take New York by storm. Her training and painting and the studio in Chelsea, all of it was just around the corner and...
Elise shook her head. “I can’t... this isn’t...”
Dr. West didn’t seem to hear her protests. The hint of a smile came over her. Not the smile of celebration, but something deeper. A look her mama might have given her. She moved the paddle a bit and the whooshing grew louder. “Hear that?”
Fear gripped Elise, filling her heart and mind and soul. Her fingers and toes felt tingly. Like she might pass out. She nodded. “Yes.”
“That’s your baby’s heartbeat.” Cole’s aunt held the wand in place for a long moment. “See in the center of your baby, that fluttering part. That’s his or her heart.”
