Fifteen minutes later, Liam walked through the doors. He strode over to me, threw his arms around me, and hugged me as tight as he used to. The tears I’d been fighting since the moment the cramping and bleeding started filled my eyes and spilled down my cheeks.
“Shhh, it’s okay. I’m sure everything is okay.”
A nurse appeared at that moment. “Annie Hollis?” She looked over to where I was hugging Liam.
Liam slipped his hand into mine and motioned towards the nurse with his head. I rose out of the waiting room chair and walked with him behind the nurse.
“Just in here.” She gestured to the ultrasound room doorway.
“Can he come with me? He’s my best friend. I need him here.”
The nurse nodded and we walked into the room. The doctor greeted me with a comforting smile. “Now, Annie, I believe you’ve had a bit of bleeding and cramping. Is that right?”
I nodded.
“Well, pop yourself on the bed there and lower your trousers and underwear a little. We’ll have a little look at what’s going on, shall we?”
I did as I was asked. This wasn’t the first ultrasound I’d had so far, and I was praying it wasn’t the last. The doctor covered my lower stomach with gel, pressed against me with the wand, and looked at the screen.
Liam took my hand and squeezed it tightly, watching the screen with me.
“There we are...” The doctor swung the screen around for us to have a better look. “That is one healthy little baby in there.” He flicked another switch, and the room was filled with a swoosh-wooshing noise. “That is the sound of your baby’s heart. It’s fast, it’s strong, and perfectly as it should be.”
I started to cry again. I’d never been so relieved in my life. I glanced up at Liam, who was smiling at the screen with a look of awe on his face.
“It can be common to bleed a little in pregnancy, especially in the first trimester. Even in the second and third, but you said on the phone it was only a little, right?”
I nodded and brushed the tears away.
The doctor handed me a tissue. “Nothing to worry about, I promise. You did the right thing, though. It’s always better to be safe than sorry. I would rest up for a few days, and as long as you’ve got no more bleeding, we will see you at your next routine appointment. If you get any cramping or start to bleed more like a period, then call us up again and we’ll get another look at you, but I don’t think that’s going to happen.”
I nodded again, taking in everything we’d been told. Liam waited for me to get ready, and then escorted me home to Dad’s in an awkward silence.
“Thank you for today.” I smiled, not knowing how to say more.
“Not a problem.” He smiled back.
I would have been lost without him. I missed him. I missed his friendship, and I know how much happier and more alive Dad has been since Liam has been with him.
“I want to say sorry.”
“You don’t have to.”
“I do. I was a bitch, and I need to sort it out because I miss you, Liam. You’re good for Dad. My baby needs a godfather and I want it to be you.” I bowed my head.
Liam’s arms circled me. “Let’s get you to bed for rest, and I’ll make tea and we can talk about it all. For the record, I forgive you with all my heart, because I’ve missed you too. Now, let’s get you inside.”
Epilogue
Rich
Six Years Later
I sit at the edge of the auditorium, waiting for my amazing daughter to walk across the stage and collect her Masters in accounting and finance. Her name is announced, and Liam and I grin with pride as she walks across the stage.
At home, Grannie Gillian is taking care of Amelia, Annie’s little girl, and the twins Liam and I had together last year. Next month, Liam and I have our own day when we tie the knot.
Life has been good for us. Annie calling Liam from the hospital changed everything. Their friendship weathered the storm, and while it took her a little time to get used to it all, she was happy for the extra help by the time the baby arrived.
Life really couldn’t be any better. I got lucky. Really, really lucky.
