The Nanny

Leopold

Warning: Discussion of Regina's rape and how it made her feel.

Chapter 24: Leopold

Regina had been at the hospital more times than she ever wanted in just one week. Most of those times had been to see Dr. Espenson and once was Henry's checkup. Now, though, she was sitting in the office of her OBGYN, waiting for her own checkup. Robin sat beside her, holding her hand while checking his email with his other one.

"Regina?" a nurse called from the door. She smiled at the couple. "You can follow me to the examination room."

Standing, Regina took Robin's hand and followed the nurse, who handed Regina an examination gown. "According to this, you're here for your first semester screening, is that correct?" she asked Regina.

"Yes," she replied, sitting on the examination table. "Dr. Ludgate also mentioned something about being able to hear the baby's heartbeat as well."

The nurse nodded. "An ultrasound is usually part of the screening. But first she's going to check your vitals as well as measure your abdomen."

Regina smoothed down the loose t-shirt she wore. She had been so caught up with her legal woes, she hadn't noticed how much weight she had started to gain until she had been standing in the middle of her old room in tears with all her clothes surrounding her. Robin had found her and had cupped her small bump, gently chiding their baby for making things difficult for her. She had chuckled, batting him away before finding a decent outfit that fit.

The nurse handed her an examination gown. "You'll need to change into this. Dr. Ludgate will be in shortly."

"Do you need me to step out?" Robin asked once the nurse had left.

Regina chuckled as she headed for a curtained off area. "It's nothing you haven't already seen, Robin. I'm fine having you in the room."

"Well, let me know if you need any help," he replied and she glimpsed him settling back against the chair.

Once she was in the flimsy examination gown, she hopped back onto the table. She rubbed her bump. "I feel like I'm neglecting Bean," she whispered.

"Nonsense," Robin told her. "You're doing everything you're supposed to—eating healthy, avoiding everything they advise you to avoid, taking your prenatal vitamins, keeping your appointments and the list goes on."

She nodded. "I know. But I feel like I should've noticed that I was gaining weight or that I was starting to show sooner. I feel like I'm more preoccupied with myself than with Bean."

"I think it's a bit understandable right now," he argued. "Once we get all of this sorted out, then we can all focus on Bean."

The door opened and Dr. Mary Ludgate entered, smiling. She was younger than Regina, but had been highly recommended by Dr. Espenson when she realized Regina had stopped going to the gynecologist. Regina had confessed it was because he reminded her too much of Leopold and so Dr. Espenson had found Dr. Ludgate. She was a soft-spoken woman who had become an expert in her field despite her youth. Dr. Ludgate was also very compassionate and had worked with Regina after finding out about her traumatic past.

Dr. Ludgate smiled as she put her blonde hair back up with a clip. "Hello, Regina. And hello, Robin."

"Hullo, Doctor," he replied. "Dr. Jekyll giving you any more problems?"

Her smile froze and it looked like fear flickered in her eyes. "He's being handled. Thank you for asking."

Regina frowned, not sure that was the truth. Dr. Jekyll had been Dr. Ludgate's partner in the practice. He had developed feelings for her which were not reciprocated and he hadn't handled the rejection well. Dr. Ludgate wouldn't give them specific details but she had informed them at their last visit that Dr. Jekyll was no longer with the practice and there was a restraining order out against him.