Sage

11

I was almost regretting bringing Niall to my appointment with me.

He picked me up, since my nausea got the best of me this morning, and drove me straight here. We were supposed to grab food on the way but he complained that he didn't want to be late and drove past the three restaurants I told him to stop at.

And he was right about holding your piss, so that was fucking uncomfortable.

By the time we pulled up to the clinic, we were thirty minutes early. Niall hopped out and adjusted his earth-toned, striped sweater over his khakis before opening my door. I dressed so that the ultrasound technician would have easier access; an all-black Teeshirt dress that stopped right above my knees and a pair of sneakers.

We made our way into our room after my vitals were quickly checked. I had been bouncing on my toes, my lower abdomen burning at an uncomfortable pressure from the water my bladder held.

Niall and I now sat in the dimly lit room as we awaited the ultrasound technician to come in and get started.

I felt a plethora of emotions but the excitement had to be at the top. Not only would I be seeing baby bean for the first time, but I would he hearing their heartbeat.

Of course, that would all be ruined because right after this appointment, I had to see Harry so we could get stuff done for the paternity test.

It wasn't like I caved and agreed to do it. It was that the court ordered it and left me no choice. Plus, the thought of Harry financially helping out didn't sound bad. My pride won't let me admit it out loud but there's no way I could take care of bean responsibly making the pay that I do.

I hadn't seen him in three weeks and I really didn't want to now. It didn't make it any better that his lawyer had to be present as we sat there and got everything done.

The fact that Harry was three floors up waiting in the room for me on the Lab floor instead of being here to see his child for the first time was beyond me. If he had the slightest suspicion that this baby was actually his then this is something that he shouldn't want to miss.

This is how I knew exactly where Harry stood. He wasn't trying to be responsible and put himself on child support, he wanted to prove a point. He wanted me to fit that narrative of some fast girl from the south side who'd jump at the opportunity to accuse a rich guy to be the father of her child. Our dynamic was very obvious and though it pissed me off, it hurt me the most.

I shake my head and rid myself of those thoughts when the lanky brunette with pink scrubs comes into the room with a toothy smile on her face, introducing herself as Simone.

"Is this dad?" She immediately asks.

"No, he's my friend," I tell her, and she nods. Niall is busy smiling as hard as he can, his eyes flickering from the little black machine to my now exposed belly.

Simone nods and I find my heartbeat picking up its pace as I suddenly consider the negative possibilities. I've read about fetal heartbeats not being picked up. What if they can't find beans heartbeat? What if it's one of those pregnancies where the baby is stuck in the wrong spot? And they tell me I have t-

"Are you ready to hear baby?" Simone asks, shaking up the warm jelly, "I've got this warm for you, so it shouldn't be too bad," She adds when I nod, amusement in her voice. I can only offer a weak smile back, my mind still running wild. Simone applies the jelly to my lower stomach. I swallow and nod, glancing over at Niall.

He senses my uneasiness and though I've never been affectionate with him, he subtly outstretches his hand and allows me to grab it. I do, exhaling a shaky breath and looking back at the screen. She presses the wand down, moving it around across the jelly as Niall squeezes my hand.