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God, this was it. My heart was hammering so much it was hard to catch my breath.
“You want me for this part too, or not?” He gave me one of those half-grins that somehow managed to be both infuriatingly cocky and disarmingly sweet.
I could have kissed him then, for being so patient and understanding. There was no question. “Yes, I want you for this part.”
Did I ever. Rhett’s presence was strangely reassuring amidst the swirling worries in my head. I rose to my feet, trying to ignore the way my heart stuttered as he fell into step beside me.
The doctor’s office was clinically bare, with just her desk, two worn leather chairs, and an exam table. With stirrups. Gulp. Harsh fluorescent lights only accentuated the parchment-like pallor of my skin, I bet. I sank onto a chair, resisting the urge to wring my hands.
“So,” the doctor began briskly. “What seems to be the issue today?”
I opened my mouth to respond, but the words caught in my throat.
Rhett passed her the clipboard. “We think my girl here might be pregnant.” His voice was light and casual, as if he were discussing the weather.
Somehow, it made me feel better. “I’ve done five at home tests and they were all positive.”
“Ah, I see. Wonderful. The at home kits are great these days. Very, very rarely do they show a false positive result. Given that you’ve done five of them, I’d say there’s no ‘might be’ about it. How about we get you up on the bed and take a look?”
The doctor gave me a reassuring smile as she handed me a pale blue gown. “Go ahead and change into this, then climb up on the exam table. I’ll step out to give you some privacy and come back in a few minutes.”
With that, she slipped out of the room, leaving Rhett and me alone. My heart was pounding in my ears as I stared down at the thin gown in my hands. This was really happening.
I drew in a shaky breath, willing myself to stay calm. Rhett was here with me, and that strange, steadying presence of his was helping to ground me. I shot him a sidelong glance to find him leaned back in his chair, arms crossed over his broad chest. The picture of couldn’t-give-two-fucks.
“You just going to sit there and watch?” I arched an eyebrow at him.
One corner of his mouth quirked up. “If that’s what you want, gorgeous.”
I rolled my eyes, but I couldn’t quite hide my smile as I turned away from him. With trembling fingers, I began to undress, keenly aware of Rhett’s gaze on me. I slipped the thin gown over my head, tying the strings at the back.
When I turned to face him again, his eyes were dark, raking over me in a way that made heat bloom in my cheeks. Suddenly self-conscious, I crossed my arms over my middle.
“Wonder if you can buy those beds.”
“What beds?”
He gestured to the exam table. “Just imagine what you could do with those stirrups.”
I let out a breathy laugh. “You’re mad, you know that.”
Just then, there was a soft rap on the door before the doctor reentered the room. “All set?” she asked brightly.
I nodded. “You,” I pointed to Rhett. “Over here, at the head end.”
He did as he was told, with no arguments. I climbed onto the bed, refusing to look at Rhett while I put my legs in the stirrups. To give him his credit, he didn’t say a word.
“Alright then,” the doctor said, slipping on some surgical gloves. “Let’s take a look. First, I’ll perform a physical exam, then an internal one with the wand.”
Her calm, professional demeanor helped settle my nerves as she did whatever she had to do. I couldn’t help wincing a little at the discomfort, but tried to focus on Rhett’s steady presence beside me. “I’m gonna need you to hold my hand.”
In an instant, his fingers wrapped around mine, his thumb stroking soothingly over my knuckles.
“Just relax and take some deep breaths for me,” the doctor murmured.
I obeyed, letting my eyes drift shut as I concentrated on the rhythm of my breathing. In and out, in and out. Rhett gave my hand a gentle squeeze, anchoring me.
“Looking good so far,” Dr. Morris said after a few moments. “Now I’m going to insert the ultrasound wand, okay? You’ll feel some pressure.”