𝐎𝐜𝐞𝐚𝐧 𝐁𝐢𝐥𝐥𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐚𝐢𝐫𝐞

Sixty

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Visiting an obstetrician with Matt felt surreal for Imani. He held her hand most of the time while they walked; his thumb caressing her knuckle brought reassurance and comfort. She could feel her heart pounding with fear and uncertainty, but she didn't tell this to Matthew.

"You're nervous," He stated, tightening his hand on hers.

"How did you know?"

"Your hand is too stiff, and I think I can hear your heart beating from here," Matthew told her, giving her a loving look. Imani sighed loudly, trying to smile at him, but failed.

"I'm kind of afraid, I mean, I've never been pregnant before, and you know? What if the doctor says something is wrong with the baby?"

Matt pulled her to him and wrapped his arm around her shoulder, "nothing will go wrong, trust me. And it's not a baby yet; it's a fetus."

Imani elbowed him, and he yelped, springing up with surprise, "it's a baby," She emphasized, taking his hand again and wounding it around her shoulders to feel the comfort of being wrapped around him.

Matthew's mouth stretched in a tiny smile as they approached the front office of the hospital. He had lived such a hard life he couldn't imagine the universe had awarded him with this woman especially knowing how he got to meet her. He was raised as a Christian; every time he had to check in a form, he ticked that option, that he had found his heart's desire in a place father Josè would refer to as a den of iniquity is the kind of humor people said God had.

The hospital was a recommendation from the guys; the obstetrician in this hospital had apparently helped in the birth of all children except Luca, who'd been born in Italy.

Matt had said the family must have an intimate relationship with the hospital to trust them enough with the birth of their children. Imani didn't know much about the family, but she got the sense that there was much more than met the eye.

Once they reached the reception, the girl operating the desk smiled, greeting them warmly, and told them to follow her. There was already an appointment made on their behalf; Romano had assured Matt the hospital and it's staff would keep this news confidential, especially since Imani wasn't ready to have her face flashed all over the media.

The obstetrician was a young woman, perhaps in her early forties. Imani couldn't figure out how the guys knew and trusted her; neither did Matt, but he was used to not knowing much about the guys, but he intended to ask about her.

"Mr. Ocean," She said, and Imani thought her voice could lull anyone to sleep. It was soft and soothing.

"It's a pleasure to meet both of you, my name is Dr. Orsini" Matthew shook her hand, then introduced Imani, stepping aside to allow her to stand beside him.

"Imani, beautiful name. She smiled again, her beautiful white teeth too enthralling, her kind eyes meeting hers in some kind of understanding like she knew the fears she couldn't tell Matt or herself in case they materialized.

Even though Matt had said they would find an obstetrician in their home city, she wanted this one. How was she supposed to find another one when she knew a kinder one existed even though she was based in a different city?

One of the many advantages of marrying a billionaire, Imani reckoned, was that she could be extravagant, not on clothes or shoes, though that remained to be seen, but on a doctor who would bring their children to this world.

She wanted this one as her personal obstetrician too.

When filling in their information on an iPad, the doctor gave her; Matt looked over to provide his information in case Imani wanted to confirm anything, surprisingly and with delight, he noted she knew everything required.

When they had finished, Dr. Orsini explained what would happen, and Matthew listened earnestly, nodding even though none of what was about to happen would be to him.

It wasn't so bad, Imani thought even though knowing that didn't reduce her nervousness.

After the doctor had explained everything, a nurse came to lead Imani into a changing room, passing a few vacant spaces; she imagined the reason they were unoccupied was that Romano had requested privacy. She needed to get used to being Matthew's partner.

"Are you comfortable?" the nurse asked; Imani, nodded, lying on a bed in an examining room, her hands resting nervously on her stomach.

"Thank you." The nurse flashed her a grin, then left. Matthew came in seconds later, and Imani shot out her hand, needing to hold his for comfort.

"Don't be nervous," He said, sotto voce, going around to stand on the other side because the doctor would stand where he was.

"I can't help it." Imani sighed, tightening her hand on his. She didn't know what she would have done if he wasn't with her.

"Thank you for being here."

"Where the hell else would I be?" Matthew intensely asked with anger that Imani thought was unwarranted.

"Where would I be if not here with you?" He insisted, gaping at her with irritation, waiting for an answer. Imani found his anger funny; chuckling, she leaned over his arm, leaving a trail of kisses until he calmed down.

"I'm glad you find me amusing," she giggled, suddenly realizing she was no longer anxious. How could she be this blessed? Here in this room with the man she loved and a baby on the way.

"Matt,"

"Yes, babe." she quickly turned at hearing the endearment, her golden gaze beaming with joy.

"I love that,"" she whispered, feeling tears brimming as the doctor entered their room.

"Are you ready?"

Imani nodded, then said, "yes." her voice trembling. The doctor pulled a seat near the bed; Imani eyed the equipment laid out, noticing nothing warranted panic.

It was such a short and painless exercise she scolded herself for being anxious.

"That was first," Imani threw a cheerful look at the doctor, who let out a throaty laugh," I told you," she replied, taking a napkin to wipe the gel off Imani's belly.

"Let me," Matthew cut in. The doctor let go, and Matthew took the cloth.

"How do you feel?" Matthew leaned over to whisper into her ear. The doctor had seen this kind of commitment with the men her father had told her about since she was a teenager. Although she was slightly older than them, they had an aura of maturity. Her father said they never had a childhood as she did. When she asked him what he meant, he had looked straight into her face, and instead of answering her question, he had said, someday, whether I'm alive or dead, they or their children will ask you for help; it is your duty to help them.

Without asking for an explanation, she had nodded because her father's face had looked earnest.

"Thank you, Dr Orsini, " Imani said, sitting up the bed.

"Youre most welcome. This is for you." she gave her the ultrasound, and Imani gasped, looking without making out the image of the child she and Matt had made

"I'm sorry, I can't see anything," tears fell unrestrained," don't be sorry, you're going to be alright. Here, this tiny one," the doctor gently pointed at the image while Matt squinted his eyes to be able to make out the baby.

When the doctor left, Matt gently touched Imani's lips to his, " you will make a wonderful mother," She tried to smile through the tears, letting herself bask in appreciation from her husband-to-be.

It was going to be alright. Soon they will have an addition to their family.

"Would you mind marrying me before the child is born?"

"I wouldn't mind," Matthew said, kissing her again, this time passionately and for longer.

"You're the love of my life." He whispered once he let her go, his palm on one of her cheeks while his lips touched her bared neck.

    Thank you for reading. I hope y'all are ready for the epilogue tomorrow.