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Then she walks out, and another woman in scrubs walks in. “Hi, Emma. Can you tell me your full name and date of birth?”

“Emma Tucker. June 29, 2003.”

“Okay, thank you. I’m Shari. I’ll be doing your ultrasound today. Anything you want me to know before we get started?” She sets up the screen and then puts a pair of gloves on.

“No, I don’t think so. I’m guessing you know I had some bleeding and cramping today, so nothing else to report.”

I’m lying down with a gown on and a blanket over my lap. She pulls down the blanket to my hips and moves the gown to rest right under my breasts.

“Perfect. Okay, so just relax, and let’s get a look at this baby.”

She squirts some liquid on my belly and starts to smear itaround with the Doppler. The baby’s heartbeat fills the room, and I release a breath I didn’t realize I was holding in.

The baby is wiggling around and looks like maybe sucking a thumb. I can see the features more clearly than the last ultrasound we had.

“Would you mind getting a few pictures for me to take home? My boyfriend isn’t here, and we usually do all of my appointments together.” I think this is the first time I’ve referred to Archie as my boyfriend.

“Of course. Do you live here in town?” she asks.

“No, I’m from Oklahoma. I go to Walker University. I’m in town for a golf tournament with my team.”

“Oh, wow. That’s fun. Although this isn’t so much fun, huh? You had some bleeding and cramping, right?”

“That’s right.” I watch the screen and then see the baby. “Hi, nugget.”

My eyes water. I wish Archie were here to see this. But also, I just wish he were here.

“Baby looks good. Although I’m not a doctor so he’ll go over the results with you. Do you know the sex of the baby?”

“No, not yet, but I don’t want to know without my boyfriend.”

“You got it.” She wipes off the Doppler and sets it on the cart, then grabs some tissues and hands them to me. “You’re all set. Someone will come get you and take you back to your room. Good luck, Emma.” She smiles.

“Thank you,” I reply.

She walks out, and minutes later, the girl who brought me here enters. “You ready to go?”

“Ready as ever.” I laugh.

My anxiety has decreased significantly after I saw the baby and heard the heartbeat. When I get back to the room, I should at least call my parents and let them know what’s going on. After I talk to the doctor, I’ll call Archie again.

We reach the room, and the girl hooks the IV back on the pole. “Do you need anything before I go?”

“Um, I don’t think so.”

“Do you want me to get you some fresh ice water?”

“Oh, yes, that sounds good.”

“You got it. Be right back.”

She leaves the room, and I reach for my phone on the rolling table next to the gurney.

Archie still hasn’t responded, so I pull up my parents’ number and press the green button to call.

My mom answers after a few rings. “Hey, Em. Aren’t you supposed to be on the course right now?”

“Hey, Mom. Yes, but I had a little incident today. I had some cramping and some bleeding, so they sent me to the hospital.”