I Love You, Baby

Chapter Four

The next few weeks passed in a blur of anticipation and quiet moments between Ivy and Rafe. They spent mornings in the kitchen, sharing cups of coffee and laughing over silly things that seemed insignificant but felt important. They talked about the future, a future that was uncertain but no longer terrifying. The bond between them had deepened, and although neither one of them had all the answers, they were figuring it out, one step at a time.

Today was different, though. It was the first doctor's appointment for the baby, Ivy had been nervous ever since the appointment had been scheduled. She had spent the past few nights lying awake, her thoughts racing. Would everything be okay? Was she ready for this? The small, quiet anxiety gnawed at her, but there was something else, too: excitement. She couldn't wait to hear the doctor's reassuring voice, to see the first glimpses of the life growing inside her.

Rafe had been his usual self—nervous in a way that was just beneath the surface. He hadn't said much about it, but Ivy had caught the way his hand lingered on her stomach when they sat together, the way he'd paced the night before as if the gravity of what was about to happen hadn't quite hit him yet.

This morning, as they sat in the waiting room, Ivy's hands were clenched tightly together in her lap. Rafe was beside her, his knee bouncing nervously, his blue eyes darting to the door every time it opened, every time a new patient walked by. He didn't look at her much, and she knew it was because he was too caught up in his own swirling thoughts.

"Rafe, it's going to be okay," she said softly, glancing at him out of the corner of her eye.

"I know," he muttered, but she could see the tension in his shoulders, the way his jaw tightened when a nurse walked by.

The receptionist called their names, and they both stood in unison, as if their bodies had been waiting for the signal. The nurse led them down a hallway, and Ivy's heart rate quickened, the weight of the moment settling deeper in her chest.

As they entered the exam room, the sterile smell of the office and the soft hum of equipment filled the air. Ivy climbed onto the examination table, Rafe settling into a chair next to her, his hand brushing against hers in a small, quiet gesture that made her feel a little less alone in the overwhelming moment.

"So, how are we feeling today?" the doctor asked as she entered the room, a warm smile on her face. Dr. Patel was in her mid-thirties, with dark hair and glasses, and an easy going demeanor that made Ivy feel more at ease.

"Nervous," Ivy admitted, offering a smile that felt a little more uncertain than she'd like.

"Totally normal," Dr. Patel said with a reassuring nod. She turned her attention to the monitor on the counter. "It's still early, but we'll be able to see the baby and get a heartbeat. It's a big moment."

Ivy felt Rafe's hand slide into hers, his grip firm and warm. She turned to look at him, meeting his eyes for the first time in what felt like ages. There was something vulnerable in his expression, something raw and real. The storm that had been swirling behind his eyes was still there, but now there was a flicker of hope, too.

"Are you ready for this?" she asked, her voice barely above a whisper.

He squeezed her hand. "Yeah, more than I thought I'd be."

Dr. Patel moved around the table, setting up the ultrasound machine. "I'm just going to get everything ready, and then we'll take a look," she said, her voice soft and soothing.

The sound of the gel being squirted onto Ivy's stomach was cold, sending a shiver through her, but it was quickly followed by the warmth of the ultrasound wand pressing against her skin. Dr. Patel adjusted the controls on the machine, and within moments, the first image appeared on the screen.

At first, Ivy wasn't sure what she was looking at, the fuzzy black-and-white shapes on the monitor blending together. But then, with a soft click, the image cleared, and there it was—a tiny, fluttering form, no bigger than a grape, but undeniably there.

"Oh my God," Ivy whispered, her breath catching in her throat.

Rafe leaned forward, his eyes fixed on the screen. His hand tightened around hers, and she could feel the way his pulse raced, matching the rhythm of hers.

Dr. Patel smiled. "There's the heartbeat," she said, pointing to the small flicker on the screen. The sound of it filled the room—a fast, steady thrum, the most beautiful sound Ivy had ever heard.

Tears sprang to her eyes without warning. She squeezed Rafe's hand tighter, a smile breaking across her face. He looked at her, his own eyes a little glassy, and then he let out a breath, like he'd been holding it for far longer than he'd realized.

"That's... that's our baby," he said, his voice thick, almost like he couldn't quite believe it.

"I know," Ivy whispered, her heart swelling with emotion. It felt like a dream, but it was real. So real.

They both turned their attention back to the screen as Dr. Patel made a few measurements, explaining what they were seeing. But Ivy could barely hear her—she was too caught up in the image in front of her, the tiny being that was growing inside her, the life that was already starting to feel so important.

When the ultrasound was over, Ivy sat up, her hand still pressed against her belly as if she could protect the baby already, keep it safe. Rafe's arm was around her shoulders, his chin resting against her hair, his breath warm against her temple. Neither of them spoke for a while, but the silence wasn't uncomfortable. It was peaceful, filled with the weight of what they had just witnessed.

Dr. Patel printed a picture from the ultrasound machine and handed it to them. "Here's your first picture of your baby," she said with a smile. "Everything looks great, and I'll have the results of the blood tests in a few days. You'll also want to schedule your next appointment soon. But for now, take it easy and keep doing what you're doing."

Rafe took the picture, looking down at it with a quiet awe. Ivy glanced at him, and she could see the excitement there—beneath the layers of uncertainty, there was a joy that was real and undeniable.

"I can't believe it," Rafe said, a little laugh escaping him. "It's real."

Ivy smiled, feeling the same mix of disbelief and awe. "Yeah. It's real."

They walked out of the office together, side by side, the ultrasound picture tucked safely in Rafe's hand. The sun was shining brightly outside, and for the first time in what felt like ages, the world seemed full of possibility.

This wasn't going to be easy. There were still a million unknowns ahead. But in that moment, with Rafe by her side and the tiny heartbeat of their baby echoing in her mind, Ivy felt like they could face anything.

Together.