Page 23 of Oh My Secret Christmas Baby
"Thank you, Hollis." I cut him off. It might have been an overstep, but it was for me. When Max oversteps, it's always about him. Hollis is generally worried about the baby and me. I think Max's worry was disingenuous and more about control.
I lift on my tiptoes and press my mouth against Hollis’s. He wraps an arm around my waist, pulling me flush against him. When I slide my tongue across the seam of his lips, he lets out a small groan that I can feel rumble from his body.
“All right.” He lifts his head. “Before this gets out of hand.”
“Right.” I can’t hide my smile as I wiggle my coat and winter gear off. A knock sounds a few seconds later, and Dr. Parks reenters the room.
“Actually, I want to go ahead and check your vitals since you’re here and it’s relatively quick.”
“Whatever you think, I’m okay with.” I’m just happy she is taking the time to do this for me. I’ve been under a lot of stress, so it will be nice to know that everything is okay.
“Are you okay removing your sweater? It’s thick, and I need to check your blood pressure.” I pull the sweater off before getting up on the exam table. I’m not worried about it because I have a small baby tee on under it.
Hollis takes my hand as she listens to my heartbeat, having me take deep breaths in and out to check my lungs. Then she moves on, placing the blood pressure cuff on my arm. She pumps it up a bit and then a little more.
“Do you tend to run a little high on blood pressure?” Dr. Parks asks.
“No, I think I’m pretty normal. Why?” Hollis gives me a reassuring squeeze.
“Don’t freak out. That’s not going to help.” She pulls the cuff off me. “You’re only a touch high. It could be because of what you ate last or the excitement or worry from the day, but let's not get ahead of ourselves. We’ll just keep an eye on it.”
“I’m going to get one of those automated machines to monitor her at home,” Hollis says. “I think it will give us peace of mind.”
Dr. Parks' eyes bounce between us. “Okay, but don’t get obsessive with it. That will not help, and like I said, it’s not worrisome. Not even enough for me to issue a prescription. We’ll just keep an eye on it, and watch your salt intake, and as always, water, water, water.”
“I can do that.” I nod vigorously.
“And I’ll be with you to make sure you’re taken care of and worryless.” I love how genuine Hollis is. I’m not sure why he has this need to take care of me, but I’m not complaining in the least.
I know after this sonogram I’m going to have to come clean. It could be the stress of all of this, and getting it off my chest will help. I also know once Hollis knows everything, he’ll be making calls and doing what needs to be done. There were numerous instances of misrepresentation and lies in that contract with Max.
“Let’s have a look at this baby. Please lean back and lift your undershirt for me." I do as instructed, watching Dr. Parks. “A little cold,” she says as she puts on the jelly stuff, then places the probe over my stomach and starts to move it. My attention immediately goes to the screen.
She moves it across my stomach, and a quick thumping fills the room. I squint at the screen, wondering if I’m seeing it right.
“That’s fast,” Hollis says.
“Yes, babies’ hearts beat at a fast rate, but also”—she smiles, turning her head toward us—“there are two. Which makes sense, you're showing so much already.” Wait, what did she say? “Normally, first-time mothers take a little for their bumps to pop out.”
“Two?” Hollis says, confirming I heard her right.
“Yes, two. You’ll definitely have to go to the city for your delivery. Don’t be getting home birth ideas.” Her eyes come to my face, her brows rising. She must see the shock written on it. “You didn’t know?” I shake my head no. “What fertility clinic did you say this was again? Twins are common, but you should have known well before now.”
“I’m handling the clinic,” Hollis tells her.
“Okay.” She nods. “The babies are healthy and a good size already. After the holidays, I do want you to get into an obstetrician.”
“We will. I have already reached out to a few,” Hollis informs her.
“Of course you have.” Dr. Parks laughs. “But hey, with twins the blood pressure tends to run a smidge higher, so there you go.” I’m dumbstruck and unable to form words. I thought my surprises were over for a little.
“Hey.” Hollis leans down over me. “We got this.”
Tears fill my eyes. “Promise?”
“I vow it.” I suck in a breath at the word "vow." It makes me think of weddings. Holy butterscotch. I need to pull the reins back on that sleigh.
“The sex of the babies?” Dr. Parks asks.
