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"Look lady, est you get someone to help us before I climb over here, and - "

"Ms Matthews?"

I looked up and saw the nurse, Sirenda, froht?"

"She’s cra," replied Ashley "Please, help her"

Sirenda took rasp, and I smiled weakly at her "Thanks, Ash"

"I’ll be here," she replied

Sirenda led me to the same room as last ti start?" She asked, squirting the cold gel onto o" I squeezedslowly

"Let’s see" She moved the wand around, and when the steady thump-thump of baby’s heartbeat filled the room, I cried out in elation "Oh thank God"

"The heartbeat is nor"

My relief was short-lived, and replaced by icy dread

"Don’t worry" Sirenda squeezedis just fine"

I changed quickly, and Sirenda walked in just as I hopped back up onto the bed She instructed n that they were free of any spotting, and asked me to scoot doer on the bed with my knees bent I didn’t even care that another wo with my cooch I just wanted avesmile "You and your baby are both fine Have you been under a lot of stress lately?"

I sat up, took my first proper breath in what felt like hours "Yes," I replied, without going into much detail "This week, especially"

"Sometimes when you’re stressed out, you may experience some abdominal discomfort, and that’s normal, but if you notice any blood, you need to call us immediately, okay? This can be very scary for first tireat Be sure to take it easy for the next forty-eight hours"

I nodded "I will, thank you"

"My pleasure You can get dressed now, and we’ll see you in three weeks for your check-up"

Sirenda left, and I slowly started putting my clothes back on I was exhausted, and ready to put this entire day behind me

The car ride home was filled with an aard silence, and I wasn’t sure how to thank Ashley after the past feeeks had been so tense between us I understood that she’d sia a hard tiain

I shifted in ht the car to a stand-still outside our dor, and stopped her before she could cli rateful you were there"

She gave ht? I’h I do wish you’d told s were before, Jade I h iven her o Perhaps it was ti months, and after today, I realized Ashley was one of those friends

"I’m sorry I’ve been a total bitch lately," I said quietly Shame colored my cheeks, and I looked out of the car"You don’t deserve the way I’ve been treating you"

Ashley laughed lightly and it surprisedwhen I couldn’t "It’s okay I was a bit of a bitch about all of it too I don’t bla loyal to your friend"

"You’re led, clih ht in tonight"