Little Green Apples (Ivan×OC)

Chapter 26

9 months later...

"Everything seems to be well with your baby, Mrs. Fjeldsted," the OB said optimistically.

"That's wonderful to hear," she said, relieved.

"And you're sure you still want to keep the sex a surprise?"

"Very. We're having fun arguing over what it will be," Ivan joked, directing a smile towards his wife.

"Any names picked out?"

"Christine if it's a girl, and Carter if it's a boy," Jessica announced proudly.

"Well, you'll be finding out soon. You're at thirty-six weeks, so you could pop anytime now," the doctor explained. "I would like to do another ultrasound while you're here to see how their body is developing."

Jessica hopped off the exam table, and they took a short walk down the hall to the sonogram room. They were called in and Jessica laid on the small hospital bed, raising up her shirt over her protruding belly. The tech squirted gel on her stomach and began skimming the wand over her skin.

Almost immediately, the baby came into view. She never got tired of seeing their little legs kick and hearing the heartbeat.

Ivan reached down and grasped her hand, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

"Everything looks good. I'll snap some screenshots for you, and then the doctor will be in."

"Perfect," she and Ivan said in unison.

They were left alone with a still of their baby up on the monitor for them to see.

"I think it'll be a girl; what do you think?," Ivan asked Jessica.

"I had my heart set on a boy, but I think it's a girl too."

"What makes you so sure?"

"I don't know, just a very strong feeling," she replied with a smile.

Not too much later, the doctor came in, followed by another doctor. And another doctor. They murmured amongst themselves, paying no heed to Ivan and Jessica. They looked worried and frantic.

"Hello, excuse me; would someone like to fill us in on whatever is causing so much concern?," Jessica snapped impatiently.

The doctors took turns looking at each other. The younger one stepped forward.

"We can't say one-hundred percent for certain, but we think there might possibly be an abnormality we detect in one of the stills."

Jessica felt her stomach tighten into a knot. She looked to Ivan to see he was barely containing tears.

"W-what kind of abnormality?"

"Possibly a malformed kidney. It isn't an inherent problem though. A simple surgery would fix it. For now, I wouldn't worry about it. If we find anything conclusive we'll let you and your husband know."

Jessica and Ivan made their way back to the car, both tense. Once they took their seats, Ivan stared off into nothing for a moment before starting the car. They drove home, both wondering what to say to the other.

"Let's not worry about anything until we know something definite. There's no need to get ourselves all worked up over something that may not even be real."

Ivan looked at her with a rueful smile.

"You're right, Jess. But having been through this kind of scare before, it's easier said than done for me. You see how everything went the last time I was told there would be a complication."