Page 127 of Rebellious Hearts

“Blackwood?” someone called, and when we stood, both women snapped their eyes up at us.

Yeah, if they’d had any doubts, they knew now. And I was in the picture right here with Ben, so that would probably create a bit of gossip, too.

For the first time, I didn’t mind it so much. I was proud to be seen with Ben, proud to be associated with the Blackwood name. Not only because I worked with the company and the name was automatically attached to mine in a working capacity but also in my personal life, too.

We walked down the hallway, my shoes sinking into luxuriously plush carpets.

When we stepped into the office, the same carpets stretched wall-to-wall, a large desk stood in the middle, and bookshelves with all kinds of baby photos made her office warm and homey.

“I’m Dr. Melissa Richards,” she said with a warm smile. Her blonde hair was cut short in a no-nonsense bob, and she had a very wide smile. She held out her hand, greeting us both.

“Please, sit down,” she said, and we took our seats in the comfortable chairs that faced her desk. Everything here was luxurious and comfortable, and I felt right at home. It melted my nerves away a little.

“So, first time?” Dr. Richards asked.

I nodded. “Yeah, it wasn’t exactly expected, and I feel a little in over my head.”

“All new mothers feel that way,” Dr. Richards said with a gentle smile. “And it’s not an easy ride, I’m not going to lieto you. But with the right care and support by your side”—she glanced at Ben—“we’re going to make it as easy as possible. Now, let’s talk technicalities.”

She asked a couple of questions about my cycle, when I’d gotten pregnant and taken the test, and what I’d been doing until now.

“I’m going to put you on prenatal vitamins, but as long as you stay healthy and keep going the way you do without overexerting yourself, we’re off to a great start.”

I nodded. I could do that. A few pills and keep going as usual? That sounded like the best-case scenario. I’d been scared I’d done something wrong.

“How about you, Dad?” Dr. Richards asked, turning to Ben.

“Me?”

“Of course. You’re just as much a part of this journey as Sofia is. You might not be pregnant, but it will affect you just as much. How are you feeling?”

Ben hesitated. “A little overwhelmed,” he admitted. “This is new territory, and I’m not used to that. I usually know exactly what I’m doing. But I think this could be fun, you know?”

Dr. Richards’s smile widened again. “It absolutely will be fun. It’s a good start. You two are really good together, and it helps that you have each other’s support. No matter where you are in life, if it’s planned or not, having a baby is a big deal.”

It was nice that Dr. Richards was so straight forward about it. I already liked her. She made me feel at ease, and just the fact that she knew this was a big thing for us made me feel like she would get it if I told her I was terrified.

Which, quite frankly, I was.

Dr. Richards sent me through to the examination room. I didn’t have to get undressed in a johnny just yet—I could pull my pants down a little, and that was it.

When I showed more later, it would be different.

Ben was right there with me, holding my hand.

I lay back and tried to get comfortable on the hard mattress while Dr. Richards prepared the ultrasound machine. She chatted with us all the way.

“I love knowing what happens once Baby is born,” she said. “I’m always here for the first part of the journey and technically that’s where my job stops, but knowing how these kids do, how beautiful they turn out… that’s really what keeps me going.

“I noticed all the pictures in your office,” I said.

She nodded. “Yeah, the parents often send me some updates, especially in the first year, and I live for those. After all, that’s what I’m doing all this for. To bring a beautiful soul into the world.”

I glanced at Ben, whose eyes were on me all the time, and he squeezed my hand. I already vowed to send Dr. Richards a photo of our baby at some point, too.

“Right,” she said. “Let’s have a look and see how our little one is doing.”

She squirted jelly on my stomach, and I gasped at the cold.