Page 29 of Shattered Love
The doctor steps back, his eyes wide and full of fear. Holding his hands up in surrender.
I reach out, grabbing Dominic’s hand. “Good God, Dom.” I laugh.
He looks down at me. I know he sees the confusion in my eyes. “He hurt you. No one hurts you, Avery, ever.”
I shake my head. Sitting up. “He didn’t, baby, I swear, the gel is cold, that’s all. It was a shock.”
He studies my eyes and then looks at the doctor. “Warm that shit up next time.”
The doctor’s eyes are still wide but he nods. Taking a tentative step toward me. “Okay, if you could take a seat, we can carry on.”
Shaking his head, his grip tightening on my hand. “No, I’ll stay here.”
The doctor doesn’t argue as he lifts up my top. The screen comes to life and a fuzzy black and white screen appears. I suck in a breath at the sight. There is a head, a body, arms, legs.
“Is that…”
The doctor smiles. “Yes, that’s your baby. Say hello.”
* * *
Dominic
I can’t take my eyes off the fuzzy, grainy image in front of me, my baby.
I can see it all. The head, legs, arms. My heart races and I’m flooded with emotions layered upon emotions. I’m scared, but there’s hope. Hope that isn’t is a dream hope that I could actually deserve this. I reach for Avery and bring her hand to my lips to kiss.
A loud noise fills the room.
“Is that…” I hold breath.
The doctor smiles. “Your baby’s heartbeat.”
Nothing could ever erase this memory.
I take a step closer to the screen. Reaching out my fingertips, I trace the outline of our baby. I make a silent promise. “Little one, I swear I’m going protect you, love you. Don’t ever doubt it. We are going to do everything your mama promised.”
I turn to the woman who gave me everything. Her sapphire eyes are so fucking bright with love she’s glowing. I place a hand on her stomach. I finally believe in the dream I’ve had since I was six years old. I finally have a family.
* * *
Avery
We are told that we are actually eighteen weeks and that I was pregnant before I was sick.
A smug smile grows on his face until the doctor tells Dominic that the baby reacted to his voice. I will never forget the look on his face. It was so full of awe and love—his lips parted ever so slightly. I can’t help the tears from trickling down my cheeks. Dom leans down to kiss them away.
Something in his eyes changed. His eyes are the brightest emerald color I’ve ever seen.
Walking out of the doctor’s office, he hasn’t taken his eyes off the small pictures we were given. His fingers run over it before he carefully places them in his wallet.
He holds my car my door open.
“You going back to work?”
He lifts his eyes from my stomach, nodding. He places a hand on my face before leaning in and kissing me deeply.
He waits for me to leave, never taking his eyes off my car until I’m out of sight.
