Page 111 of Fumble Into the End Zone
“Okay,” she said.
Turning around, I caught the grin on Marcus’s face and rolled my eyes. I’m thankful she was satisfied with my answer.
After an hour of sitting in traffic, we pulled into the medical district, to a brown brick and neutral stucco building. The parking lot was empty, alerting me Dr. Betts was closed, butmade the exception for me. Marcus parked in front of the building for Granny to have a shorter walking distance.
“Don’t forget your cane, Granny,” Harley reminded her, and I chuckled.
Walking under the covered porch toward the tinted glass doors brought back memories. Many times, I entered this place hopeful but left heartbroken. Harley held my hand as Marcus assured Granny could get inside. Dr. Betts’s waiting room held a warm and inviting atmosphere with the natural hardwood floors, recessed lighting, large open windows and brown earth tone walls. Marcus helped Granny and Harley to a seat in the oversized brown chairs.
Gina exited the check-in desk and extended her arms. I’d always admired her high cheekbones, glowing brown skin, and round face. As I wrapped my hand around her back, I tried avoiding her bone straight black length wig.
“This is my fiancé, Marcus Allen, our daughter, Harley, and my granny, Eddy Allen,” I said to Gina.
She covered her mouth before bending over the desk to grab a tissue. We hugged, because she knew my journey, and drew hiked brows from everyone in the room.
“Have you been drinking water?” Gina asked.
“I’m about to pee on myself,” I said.
As we followed Gina down the hallway, the pictures of babies and family didn’t bother me. The exam room mirrored the waiting room with warm colors, and Marcus helped me onto the brown exam table after I changed into a gown. He secured the seat across from me as we waited on the doctor. The door opened and Dr. Betts beamed with excitement with her well-defined brows and smooth brown skin. She found the perfect balance of neutral eyeshadow to compliment her almond-shaped eyes.
“Dr. Betts, meet my fiancé.”
“Marcus Allen,” Dr. Betts said. “My son does the body roll dance every time you score. It drives his daddy crazy. He is a Philly fan,” she said with an eye roll.
Dr. Betts and Marcus talked sports as she confirmed the pregnancy. “Well, Allen family. There isn’t a baby. There are two,” she said and turned the screen around.
I sat up and stared at the screen and then back at Dr. Betts. The sound of skin touching pulled my attention. Marcus’s hands moved up and down as he wore an accomplished smirk on his face. Our doctor turned her head to suppress her laughter.
“Care to let me in?” I asked Marcus.
He opened the palms of his hand and smiled. “Baby, I mean two in one. I’m proud of us.”
Dr. Betts burst into a hard cackle as she faced the wall. “I hope they’re girls with shopping habits,” I said.
“I’ll deal with you when I relieve myself,” I said and with the help of Dr. Betts, I shuffled to the bathroom.
I returned to the exam room to see Marcus staring at the printed picture. Dr. Betts stepped out the room as I dressed. Marcus knocked on the door to alert the doctor I was ready after we kissed. Dr. Betts beamed as she stepped back into the room.
“Can we call in my daughter and Mrs. Eddy?” I asked.
She phoned Gina, and soon, everyone joined the room. Marcus stood for Granny to sit and Harley shuffled behind Marcus’s leg.
“Mom, are you okay?” she said.
“Yes, can you come hold my hand?”
Harley peered up at Marcus before she walked over and held my hand. I nodded at Dr. Betts, and she turned the screen around.
“We are having twins,” I said.
Mrs. Eddy smiled after she tapped Marcus’s leg with her cane. Harley’s eyes widened as she stood still. I moved her hand to get her attention.
“I’m going to be a big sister. I asked God for six brothers and sisters. We need...um... four more,” she announced as she counted her fingers.
“Umm... Harley, we need to discuss your prayer list,” I said, and the room laughed.
My eyes jolted open after Harley moved.
