Diamond in the Rough

Chapter Eight

Eleanor 

5 weeks

I'm way too focused on the clock in front of me. It's like I'm in a trace and I can't look away, even if I want to. But honestly, it's the only thing distracting me from the atmosphere around me. 

I'm sitting with my legs crossed, my fingers in a knot as I sat on the cold blue chair outside in the waiting room of the hospital. Today was my appointment and God, was I nervous.

The soft chatter around me filled with women with babies, small children, big baby bumps, VERY big baby bumps or no baby bumps like me, sat around either talking to their children or spouses. They all looked happy or excited talking to their partners and I felt a little sad, knowing that I wanted a baby when I was in a relationship, now I'm in a complicated mess with Luke and we have no idea what to do. Sure, we'll talk about arrangements nearer the time and other important things, but we're not going to force ourselves into a relationship or marriage for the baby's sake, it won't be right. The mature thing to do is co-parent like adults and allow Luke to be involved as much as he wanted to be. Which seems like a lot. 

But hey, I'm not complaining. 

My thoughts were snapped out of when I saw a familiar face walking down the hallway and spotted me in the waiting room, Luke smiled warmly as he walked towards me and I stood up out of politeness and to my surprise, he outstretched his long arms and engulfed me in a hug as I hesitantly wrapped my petite arms around his back. I was shocked at first but then soon relaxed to how comforting it was, putting some of my nerves at ease. 

"Hi." He chuckled out and I smiled, tucking a loose strand of my curly locks behind my ear, "hello." I exhaled out and motioned to the free seat next to me as he sat down, rubbing his hands together and observed around the clean waiting area with all the other awaiting patients. "Hope I'm not too late?" He asked and I giggled while shaking my head, "you arrived just on time, I should hopefully be next." I told him and he nodded, sighing in relief as I pulled on the ends of my oversized cream jumper. 

We sat there in awkward silence for a little while, Luke's leg bouncing slightly as he looked around while sucking in his teeth and I bit my lip, trying to think of something to fill this suffocating atmosphere of excruciating silence. "Will we get to see the baby today?" Luke suddenly asked which caused me to jump, which Luke noticed and chuckled, causing my cheeks to redden from slight embarrassment, "erm, I'm not sure, they have to ask me some questions and give me maternity notes for my next appointment. But I do secretly hope we see the baby." I smiled as the thought of seeing the little dot on screen gave me goose bumps. Luke smiled as his blue orbs dazzled from his widened grin and I could see him reach for my hand but stopped himself, looking away in embarrassment. I reached over and grabbed his hand, intertwining my fingers with his, giving it a small squeeze in reassurance which caused him to softly chuckle and stare at me in awe. 

"I hope we see our baby too." He smiled and I blushed, looking down as I felt my stomach flip over his sweet words, referring to the baby as 'ours' even though it is our baby, hearing it made my heart swell up immensely. 

"Eleanor Reed?" A soft voice called out and I immediately shot my head up and saw a young woman with bright red hair smile at me in her blue scrubs while clutching a clipboard and I stood up, releasing Luke's hand by doing so as I scurried along the hallway with Luke on my trail. 

She politely held out her hand and I shook it gently as she smiled warmly, her brown eyes gleaming, "Hi Eleanor, I'm Rachel Hartman, please come in." She opened a brown door next to her, with a small blue, rectangular sign that said her name in bold letters. I nodded my head and whispered a small 'thank you' as I nervously staggered inside, sensing Luke behind me, feeling just as nervous as I was. Her office had a desk that was covered in framed pictures and sweet desk top decorations and two blue chairs pressed against the white painted walls. It smelt clean and fresh as I saw a small bed with a thin layer of blue sheet, next to the bed is what looked like an ultrasound machine, which had so many buttons on it.