Lesson Learned✔

19

Chris

We didn't get to see or hear the baby's heartbeat. 

From what Aspen said to Dr. Evanston, she could only assume Aspen was four weeks along. Too early to see hands and feet but one thing we could confirm was that we would be parents. 

I wasn't going to lie, I was a tad disappointed with not being able to see it. Fuck I didn't even come to comprehend how quickly my tune had changed on the prospect of kids. How I had been not exactly avoiding them but also not yearning for them and now I actually wanted to hold one. 

I had sat besides Aspen while Dr. Evanston rattled off various questions to her, asking about her symptoms, her cycle, if she wanted to keep it. It was standard procedure to ask a woman under a certain age, to ask if it was what they wanted. Aspen couldn't even answer quick enough, nodding at her. She wanted the baby and everything that came with it and so did I. 

Dr. Evanston would have done an ultrasound on Aspen but she had said there was only a slim chance of finding the baby considering it was barely the size of a poppy seed. So small compared to what it would be when nine months passed. 

By the end of the short appointment, we had- I had a better idea of what to expect. I knew Aspen was listening, somewhat, considering she was also looking around the room. Her grasp tightening around my arm when she wanted me to see something. 

I think I fell even more in love with her. 

Still with Aspen making me look at the numerous posters that hung from the wall, I paid close attention to Dr. Evanston. There wasn't one word that I didn't catch not as I wanted the baby to grow healthy and Aspen to be well off. And still with the long list she had given us, I would still do my own research because let's be realistic, I wanted to be ready. 

By the end Dr. Evanston had scheduled an appointment for the first week of February which by then Aspen would be almost three months along, if her calculations were right.

Walking Aspen to her car, I kissed her before bidding her away. I still had work, had taken my break to go with her, Dr. Evanston had squeezed us in solely because we worked together and had wanted to see Aspen. 

Walking back in, I headed to Dr. Gould's office, my boss. Head of the hospital and the only person I had to report to and reason why I worked so damn much. Knocking once, I waited for his reply before opening the door.

His whole back wall was glass, one bookshelf lining the side. His desk positioned in the center, clean and simple. Dr. Gould didn't look up, only flipped over the paper he was reading while holding up a finger. 

I knew better than to talk, letting him finish whatever he was reading so I'd have his full attention. I took a seat across from him, a minute ticking by before he looked up, green eyes settling on me. "Twice in a less than a week Dr. Keaton? Is there something you wish to change with your request," he asked, putting down the paper.

He rubbed his eyes, sleep lining the corners. Maybe both of us were workaholics, I knew he was and I think I was too but I needed to fix that, even more now when Aspen was expecting. I didn't want to fail her, I wouldn't fail her or give her a reason to want to leave me or think such foolish thoughts. 

"No-" I shook my head, I was content with what I had asked- "It has to do with the hospital policy." 

Surprise filled his eyes as he settled deeper into his chair, fingers drumming against the sides. "Is there an issue I need to know about?" 

After everything, after that poorly made confrontation with Nydia, I knew I needed to inform him of the situation. Not because I needed his help, I could fix this all with a few words to Nydia but because Nydia was blurring the lines between work and life.