Friends with benefits • a/p

Chapter 18

Alex's POV

"Looks like your daughter is growing and is healthy" - the doctor says. "Has she started kicking?"

"Yes, she did it for the first time a three days ago. It feels slightly painful at first, but it's a good feeling.." - Perrie says.

"That's complitely normal, it will start happening more frequently in the following months"

Perrie nods and looks at me. I squeeze her hand gently and give her a smile.

"Can we hear the heartbeat?" - Perrie asks the doctor.

"Of course" - she answers and clicks a button.

I few seconds later, a thumping sound echoes in the room. I can't believe I'm getting to hear my daughter's heartbeat for the first time. My eyes fill up with tears and I can feel Perrie tightening her grip on my hand.

"Wow.." - I mumble.

"The heartbeat is really strong. Everything is alright. Do you have any questions?"

"No, thank you" - Perrie says.

The doctor leaves the room for a few minutes. Perrie wipes the gel from her belly and I help her sit up properly. She looks up at me and chuckles.

"I can't believe you're crying" - she says and wipes my tears away.

"I'm not crying. I'm just overwhelmed" - I say.

"It's alright though, I cried my eyes out too when I heard it for the first time"

"I wish I was with you so we could cry together.." - I mumble.

She wraps her arms around my neck and looks directly at me. The look in her eyes is regretting, it's somehow turned sad. There's no more excitement like a minute ago.

"No matter how many times I say I'm sorry, I'll never forgive myself for it.." - she says.

"Don't worry about that.. From now on I won't be missing out.." - I smile slightly.

"I promise you won't"

The doctor walks back in and sorts out some papers with Perrie. Then she gives her a few tips and advices, things she should and shouldn't do etc. Before we leave, she gives Perrie a sonogram picture. It's all in black and white, but I think I can see our baby on it. I can't believe she's inside Perrie's stomach and in a few months we will have a living baby. We are actually going to be parents. I don't feel like a father yet, can I be one? I guess only time will show.

I hold her hand as we leave the hospital and walk to my car.

"Are you hungry?" - I ask her as we get inside.

"Very" - she says and smiles.

Half an hour later, we're in my living room, after getting Perrie's favorite food on our way home. She wanted to take a rest, so I gave her a blanket and helped her get snuggled on the couch. I can't help but stare at her. She's so beautiful. Her hair is tied up in a bun, which helps me see her whole face. She's literally glowing. She's barely wearing any makeup, she's watching a movie while eating, and at this very moment, I think she's the most gorgeous human on this planet. She doesn't need to be all dressed up to be beautiful. She's always beautiful. That's a fact that will never change.

"Alex.."

"Yes?"

"Watch the movie, not me" - she says.

"But you're beautiful" - I smile.

"Thank you, but you're staring too much" - she chuckles. "I can't concentrate"