fearless

Chapter 93: Surprise Appointment

Wait For Me- Motopony

The paper lining crinkles underneath my touch as I sit down at the doctor's office the next day. My nose burns, the scent of lemon cleaning supplies is too strong. As Ty slips into my thoughts, I sigh.

We're both just having a shitty time right now.

I just want to skip this phase in my life and skip to the part when Ty and I can be happy with Hannah and the new baby in our arms, safe at last. Home at last. Together at last.

I cradle Hannah in my arms, holding her close to me and pressing kisses to her face. She's asleep right now, and I hope she stays asleep until the appointment is over. My thoughts are quickly shattered though, because Hannah stirs in my arms, stretching her arms out wide, revealing her bright white teeth.

"Mama!" She shrieks, and I feel as if my head is splitting. It's been this way ever since we got back from Erudite. Hannah dissolves into tears, thrashing against my side, and eventually grabbing at my shirt, fisting it and holding it to her mouth. I reach around behind me for her diaper bag, and pull out a bottle of formula.

She gurgles as I hand it to her, and soon, she's holding it for herself. The only sounds that can be heard are footsteps outside of our door, marching down the hallway and Hannah gulping down the milk, her innocent eyes wide as they stare at me.

I sigh when I hear the door click, and Hannah pulls the bottle from her lips, throwing it up at me. I let out a nearly inaudible groan as I slip the bottle back into the bag. Hannah bounces around happily in my arms, and Doctor Kelsey Rodriguez walks in the door.

"Hello, Mrs. Pedrad." She greets me. I nod as Hannah fists my shirt in her arms. "Good afternoon, Doctor." I smile as Hannah curls into my side, whimpering.

She must think that we're here for her to get a checkup. Hannah hates checkups, and I don't blame her. The last three times she's been, she's had to get a shot. Hannah hates shots.

"So you're four months along now!" She smiles. "You can find out the gender today." She says excitedly. I nod, grinning, but then sigh. "I don't want to know until my husband is here." I say and she nods. "Next month then, I guess."

"Ty and I can't wait." I say, and she nods, beaming.

"Well, all we have to do today is a sonogram checkup. Just need to make sure that nothing unexpected or bad has occurred over the past month." She clicks a few buttons on a machine, then moves the mouse around on the computer.

"Hi!" Hannah says shyly. I grin, poking her cheek. "Hi!" She says again, this time more sure than that of the first time. Doctor Kelsey turns around, and looks down at Hannah.

"Hey, big girl!" She looks at Hannah, a smile painted across her face. Hannah giggles. "You're gonna be a big sister soon!" She speaks to Hannah diligently.

Hannah's eyebrows furrow. "Big seest...eh." She seems so confused and nervous, her self confidence disappearing quickly. I watch in awe, speechless and not being able to come up with a response.

Hannah is sixteen months old, and I can already feel as if I know how she's going to act and the kind of person she'll be in fifteen years- when she chooses.

I feel my breathing hitch as I think of her growing up, and I let out a quivering breath. Kelsey still jokes around with Hannah, now basically giving her a checkup but making it fun.