Scornful Revenge

Chapter Twenty-Two

That weekend, Tom and Alice went to her appointment with Daniel and Emma. Tom had told Alice he thought it was more important to be with her as he had promised that the next appointment she went to he would be there. The car ride was silent apart from the few times Daniel and Emma would point things out on the road. Once at the hospital, Alice checked in and was brought into the room with Tom and the children. Tom helped her onto the table and placed her items on the counter. When Michelle entered the room, she greeted everyone before doing another ultrasound to monitor the baby's heart rate and growth. To try and lighten the mood, Tom pointed out the baby for Daniel and Emma to look at.

"See, that's your new brother or sister." Tom smiled.

Daniel and Emma looked at the image with wide eyes, giggling watching the baby move around. When the doctor was finished and Alice adjusted her clothes, they went to Michelle's office to discuss the results of her test. Daniel and Emma sat in the back of the room playing with a few toys Michelle kept for this very purpose.

"I'm sure by now you both know the results."

"We do." Tom replied.

"Now, we have caught it early which means we can do everything we can to prevent you from developing eclampsia," Michelle explained. "Although your blood pressure is a little higher than we would like to see, it's not so high that we would prescribe you antihypertensives. For the moment, I would suggest taking it easy and buying an at home blood pressure tester so you can monitor it."

"What should we be looking out for?" Tom inquired.

"I would keep an eye out for changes in vision, nausea, and headaches. I would also mention weight gain and swelling of the hands and feet, but this is also normal with pregnancy."

"Whatever I experience, I'll be sure to document it." Alice grinned.

"Now, nothing appeared abnormal with the baby, since it is a bit early. I'm sure that if you take things easy and rest every now and then, you should be able to carry the baby to full term." Michelle told them.

"That's good." Tom chuckled.

"It is, but it'll be tricky with all the court stuff." Alice replied quietly, turning her head to face Tom.

"It'll be fine as long as we manage your stress." He reassured her.

She nodded her head and directed her attention back to Michelle.

"I think it's best that we schedule another appointment for you in two weeks' time. I'd like to start seeing you twice a month just to monitor you and the baby." Michelle continued.

On the drive back home, Alice placed her hands on her bump, gently caressing it as she felt the baby move and kick.

"Mommy?" Daniel asked.

"What is it, baby?"

"Are you sick?"

Alice chuckled lightly as she turned in her seat to face Daniel and Emma.

"What makes you ask that?" She retorted.

"Mommy isn't sick, Danny." Tom interjected.

"You're not?" Daniel furrowed his brow.

"No, I'm not sick. We went today to the doctor so she could check on the baby," Alice explained. "You see, sometimes when a mommy gets a little too worried about the new baby being healthy and perfect, the baby gets a bit... fussy and wants to leave her belly earlier than the mommy would like. So, the doctor gave your dad and I options on how to make sure this little one stays the whole time in my belly until she's perfect!"