The Love That Grew

Ch. 38 Check Up

6 months later....

"You ready luv?" Xavier called from the stairwell glancing at the time on his watch. After two minutes of silence turned to five he jogged up the steps heading towards the master bedroom they were on a tight schedule and needed to be on the road.

Ready to remind her of the time he stopped seeing the state she was in. Jashae sat on the edge of the bed dressed with her eyes half-way closed. Her body teetering front to back as if she would collapse at any moment. "Shae?"

She perked up at the sound of his voice and forced a smile but he wasn't easily fooled. "I'm ready let's go" she yawned.

"You can stay here while I take baby girl" he offered "what kind of mother would I be if I miss my daughters check up!?" she snapped suddenly irritated that he'd even suggest such a thing.

"I'm fine now come on before she gets fussy you know she hates her car seat"

With a sigh Xavier nodded, the conversation was far from over but they had little time to argue if they wanted to beat the afternoon traffic rush.

As Xavier navigated the familiar route to the pediatrician's office, he stole occasional glances at Jashae, who sat quietly beside him, her head leaning against the window. Her eyes looked heavy, and he noticed how she clutched the handle on Amara's car seat like it was the only thing keeping her grounded.

Besides the occasional sounds of Amaras babbling the drive was silent both parents lost in their own thoughts.

At a red light, he reached over to rest his hand on hers. "We're almost there," he said softly, hoping his touch could offer a bit of comfort.

Jashae turned her head to him, her expression softening. "I know. Thank you." She rubbed her thumb over his hand before looking back out the window. He could tell she was still forcing herself, willing her body to push through the weariness. He just wished he could take some of it away.

At the clinic, Xavier helped Jashae out of the car and handed her Amara's diaper bag. He could see she was barely holding herself together, even as she lovingly cooed at Amara, trying to keep her daughter calm before the check-up.

As they walked inside, Xavier brushed his hand along her lower back, hoping it'd signal what words couldn't in the moment. He admired her strength but was worried her exhaustion was reaching a breaking point. The appointment moved along, with Xavier doing his best to entertain Amara as they waited. Despite her tiredness, Jashae was attentive and on guard as the doctor examined Amara, her eyes never leaving her baby girl.

Amara's big brown eyes shifted between the adults in the room, her small fingers clutching onto her father's neck tighter than before.

"Everything looks good so, Mom and Dad! How's Miss Amara been since our last visit?" the cheerful pediatrician asked, prompting Xavier to start happily rambling about his daughter. It was clear she was his pride and joy. Jashae watched in awe, never growing tired of listening to the man she loved talk about the little person they'd brought into the world.

"It sounds like she's doing great! All that's left to do is administer a few vaccines."

There it was: shots. Hearing her daughter's cries never got any easier, and if Jashae didn't know any better, she'd swear Amara was already starting to pout. Closing her eyes, she wiped her sweaty palms on the hems of her jeans, letting out a nervous breath.

"You wanna step out, luv?" Xavier asked, sensing her uneasiness.

Pushing her nerves aside, Jashae grabbed Xavier's free hand and stood by his side, carefully inspecting the doctor's every move. The moment the needle touched Amara's skin, her wails filled the room, and Jashae had to focus on breathing steadily to keep herself from grabbing her baby and ending the appointment right then and there. Six shots and a whole lot of tears later, they were finally on their way out the door.