This Love is Ours

Darker Days

'Hello again Mrs.Hayes' I smiled at the secretary from behind the desk at Dr.Goderich's. 'Is it just you today?'

Again, I nodded, 'Hunter had a working thing'. I kept my voice down, careful not to draw attention to myself. One of the assistant technicians led me to the exam room and set me up for an ultrasound. About a minute into the process, the doctor knocked and came in. 'Good morning Jenna, how are we today?'

'Good thanks. I'm actually feeling some movement, it's pretty cool'.

The doctor nodded, 'That sounds about right for where you are.' He glanced at his notes, 'Wow, twenty-two and a half weeks. Everything is looking good on the screen.'

The heartbeat was much more evident now, and essentially my baby is the length of a banana.

'I can evidently see the gender, but that's supposed to be a surprise right.'  I nodded and the doctor printed off more pictures. I had the extra jelly wiped off of my stomach and the doctor took more measurements. 'Everything is looking good. Keeping up with the walking?'

'I'm trying,' I said, 'If I can't get outside, I'll try to get some time on the treadmill.'

'Good,' the doctor noted. 'I'm happy with how things are looking. I'd like to see you again in about six weeks.' I thanked him and got another appointment booked.

I headed home and posted the new picture on the fridge for Hunter. It was still early enough in the day, I made lunch and had a phone call with Byron and my management team. I have put any kind of tour on hold but the idea of opening for Hunter's performances have been tossed around and we had to schedule a few events.

'Hey Jenna,' Hunter came in through the garage door to see me sitting on the piano bench, 'how was your phone call?'

'If you're okay with me being your opening act for a few different events, then I would say it was good,' I replied, wrapping my arms around him, kissing the back of his neck. 'How was your interview?'

'I would love for you to be at my shows,' he kissed my cheek, 'It was fun. It's a cover and interview plus they wanted to do another interview, a smaller one after the baby is born.'

'Oh nice. Well the appointment went well, I have another one scheduled in six weeks.' Hunter nodded and inputted it into his phone right away. 'How does chicken sound for dinner?'

'That's good babe, need help?'

'If you don't mind cutting the potatoes and broccoli?' He greatly obliged, closing the magazine and fishing through the fridge and cupboards for everything he needed.

'When were we going to paint the nursery?' he asked, 'I think we could start this weekend.'

'Yeah that sounds fine to me,' I replied. 'How's Joelle doing?' The tension in the kitchen was so thick, and I knew it had to do with Sam and Joelle.

'She hasn't gotten better' Hunter said flatly. 'Think the doctors could be missing anything?'

'I don't really know, Hunt.' I said sadly, 'I'm not a doctor. I wish I could fix it. It's been like, two weeks now she's been on support.'

'I know, and Sam is a wreck.'

'I bet. What about Maggie? Has she come back around?'

Hunter nodded, 'She wants Sam to make the decision.'

I placed my knife down. I felt like I a weight had been dropped on my chest, and Hunter rushed across the island to my side. 'Babe?'

I shook my head, 'Do you mean...taking her off?'