Page 62 of Power Move

I stood there nervously as Davey appeared, breathless. “Is everything okay?”

“I’m waiting. The intake guy had to call up to the maternity ward. They may want me up there, I guess?”

“Oh,” Davey said. “This is that serious?”

“It is,” I said, annoyed.

“I’m sorry. I’m panicked, Eva. I’m… not myself. All I want is for you and the baby to be okay.”

I squeezed his hand with my good hand. “I know. I’m also panicking. I’m not in a great place.”

He rubbed my back. “It’s okay. I’m… I’m so sorry.”

Comforted, I rested my head on his shoulder.

The nurse returned. “L&D will check you out first. They’ll transfer you to imaging afterwards.”

He gave us directions and pointed.

“I hope you got that,” I said. “Because I’m zoning out.”

“I got it,” Davey confirmed, leading me to an elevator. “Fifth floor. Turn left at the first hallway.”

We said nothing on the way. When we arrived, my voice didn’t come. Thankfully, Davey was calmer. For the first time since I met him, he wasn’t losing it in a high-pressure situation.

“Hi. This is Eva. She’s due February 6th. She had a fall after one of our coworkers ran into her. She fell hard, and needs checked out.”

I nodded.

A perky redhead smiled. “Oh, that’s right. Almost thirteen weeks. I think you’re probably okay, but we’re going to check. Come with me and we’ll get you an ultrasound.”

“Thanks,” I squeaked.

Davey stopped. “Do you want me in there? Am I allowed to be in your room?”

“Are you the dad?” The nurse asked.

“Yes. But we’re not… together. Not really. I’m just here for support.”

“Of course. You can be here as her support person. No worries.”

She helped me with a gown. Davey tucked me in with a blanket she left on the bed—burrito-ing me. Then, citing germs, he nervously wiped down every surface with antibacterial wipes he found in a cabinet. His germaphobia was notborne out of selfishness, but concern. God, why was he earning so many points? Did men magically change after a round of good sex? Then, continuing to win, Davey took down all my information on the intake form since I had a busted right hand.

“This is why you gotta be left-handed,” Davey joked.

Soon an evenmoreattractive blonde arrived, and they wheeled me off to the ultrasound room. The nurse left me in the hallway. I watched Davey watch her leave, unable to avoid a snicker.

“What?” He asked.

“You’re watching her walk away.”

Davey blushed.

“I’mnotjudging. It’s like the nurses on that ward were all pulled off a Hollywood medical drama set. I was only paranoid shewasthe ultrasound tech, and I was about to have the fun of her giving me the most awkward ultrasound on the face of the earth.”

“So, we share a type?” Davey asked.

“We’ve established she’s not tall enough, but I wouldn’t say she’s ugly. Look, I don’t fault you for looking, just please refrain from hitting on people in front of me. I’d ask for abitof common decency. I’d grant you the same, but I’m guessing she’s straight.”