Look East | A Hozier Fanfiction |

50

FOUR WEEKS LATER

MID-OCTOBER, 2025

Molly flinched as Dr. Sherbourne pulled her hand out of her body. She kept her gaze focused on the white acoustic tiles on the ceiling, trying to ignore the fact that this near-stranger just had her hand up her vagina.

"It looks as though you're about two centimeters dilated," Dr. Sherbourne remarked, tugging off her gloves and tossing them in the bin. At Molly's alarmed look, she put out a calming hand. "Many, many women spend the last few weeks of pregnancy slightly dilated and have no complications. Its possible to be dilated and carry to term. Nothing to worry about at all."

Molly relaxed considerably. "But the Braxton Hicks - when will I know its the real thing?" she asked.

"Oh, you'll know," Dr. Sherbourne chuckled. "Generally speaking, true contractions don't go away with movement as false ones do. So if you're walking around and they don't stop, its probably true labor pains."

Molly nodded. "But everything else looks good?"

"Yes," the doctor said patiently. "The baby has fully dropped and getting into a great position. Everything looks fantastic, Molly. I mean it. Try not to stress out too much."

Molly sighed and looked over at Andrew, who gave her a relieved smile.

"But, I do want you to keep any eye on any contractions you have and time them," the doctor continued. "Don't be afraid to phone me."

"Thanks, Doctor," Andrew told her, shaking her hand.

"I'll see you next week," she told them before excusing herself from the room.

Molly sat up with some effort and wiped the gel from her belly. Andrew helped her stand to get dressed.

"Two centimeters dilated already," she remarked. "Even my cervix is an overachiever."

He laughed. "As long as it keeps the baby in there for another couple of weeks, it can be as high-achieving as it wants."

She leaned against him whilst she pulled her leggings on, which proved to be more of a struggle than she anticipated with her large belly. Andrew moved to help her, but she swatted him away. She'd had to switch to slip-on shoes for their appointment that morning because she refused to let him tie her sneakers. She planned on retaining her independence as long as physically possible.

They made their way out to reception and scheduled their next appointment for the following week. Andrew took her hand as she waddled beside him to the SUV in the car park. In four weeks, they'd officially be parents. The thought terrified and excited him at the same time. He'd had dreams of holding their child in his arms and nightmares of all the terrible mistakes he could make as a parent. On more than one occasion, he'd found himself waking up in a cold-sweat.

"Hungry?" he asked as he started the car. "We can stop somewhere for lunch."

Molly shook her head and put her hand on her stomach. "I'm not really hungry. I kind of feel nauseous, to be honest."

He blinked in alarm. "Should we go back in? Is that a problem?" he asked, panic starting to rise in his voice.

She shook her head. "Don't be ridiculous. I just need to lie down for a bit," she answered dismissively. "Maybe have some water. I'll be fine once we get home."