Never 'Til Now

Chapter 47

The anticipation buzzed between Olivia and Sam as they sat side by side in the crowded waiting room of the doctor's office for their first appointment. It was full of other expectant mothers and their partners, each lost in their thoughts about the future.

Olivia idly flipped through a parent's magazine, her eyes scanning the articles and advertisements that promised advice and guidance on parenthood. A quiz caught her eye, and she glanced up at Sam with a playful grin. "Hey, wanna take this quiz with me?"

Sam looked over at her, a smile playing at the corners of his lips. "Sure, why not?"

"It's supposed to determine our parenting style," Olivia explained, handing the magazine over to him. "Let's see what we get."

Together, they answered the ten questions, discussing each and weighing their options before making their selections. Olivia compared their results as they finished, her eyes lighting up with amusement.

Olivia nudged Sam playfully when she finished totaling the answers. "According to this, I'm authoritarian, and you're authoritative."

Sam chuckled, peering at the results. "So basically, I'll be the good cop, and you'll be the bad cop."

Olivia slapped him playfully on the leg, laughing. "Hey, someone's got to keep our little one in line!"

Sam grinned, wrapping an arm around Olivia's shoulders. "Don't worry. I'll make sure you'll have your fun moments, too."

Before they could delve deeper, the nurse called their names, and they followed her into the examination room. Olivia felt a flutter of nerves as she settled onto the examination table, the paper crinkling beneath her as she shifted into a comfortable position.

The doctor began the examination, her movements gentle and precise as she checked Olivia's vitals and asked about any concerns or symptoms she might have been experiencing. Then came the moment Olivia had been dreading and eagerly anticipating—the ultrasound.

With a soft hum, the machine came to life, and Olivia held her breath as the doctor passed the scanner over her lower stomach. The room filled with the rhythmic sound of the machine, and then came the unmistakable sound of their baby's heartbeat.

Olivia's eyes widened with wonder, and tears pooled as she whispered, "Sam, listen. Do you hear that?" She questioned as she gripped his hand tightly and looked up at him.

Sam's heart swelled with emotion as he heard the rapid thumping, a symphony of life within Olivia. He intertwined their fingers as if to anchor themselves in this moment of pure bliss. "That's our baby," he murmured, his voice choked with emotion.

In that instant, the weight of responsibility and the magnitude of the unknown of their future fell away, and all that mattered was what it had created from the two of them.

Sam leaned down and pressed his lips to hers in a tender kiss, their love and joy mingling in the intimate embrace. His hands cupped her face gently, and he rested his head against hers.

After the appointment ended and began the journey back to Olivia's house, her eyes lit up as they passed a baby store, and she couldn't resist the urge to stop. "Sam, can we pull over? I want to take a quick look inside,"

Sam smiled, understanding her eagerness. "Sure, baby."

They parked the car and entered the baby store, greeted by rows of adorable onesies, tiny shoes, and colorful toys. Olivia's eyes filled with delight as she decided on where to start.

"Look at these tiny shoes, Sam! And these onesies are so cute," Olivia exclaimed, picking up a tiny pair of sneakers and a soft, pastel-colored onesie from a neatly displayed table.