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'Nothing to worry about,' the nurse reassured her cheerfully 'It's just a special iives us a clearer, more in-depth picture of the baby, that's all’

‘But whyI mean, why do you need that?’

E until she felt Marco reach out and take hold of her hand Anxiously she looked up at hio any further

‘Here we are’ the nurse announced, opening a door several yards up the corridor and holding it open, waiting for Marco and Emily to catch up with her ‘I’ll hand you over to Merle, now’ she told Emily as another nurse ca bed

‘Once you've put on your gown, the ultrasonographer will start the scan I’ll be putting soel on your tummy, like the last time’ she told Emily kindly

‘You don't need to be here for this Marco’ Emily told Marco firot undressed For once, the thought of the potential indignity of wearing the universal hospital goith its open back fastening, didn't bother her All she could think about was her baby

Why wouldn't anyone tell her anything? Part of her was relieved that Marco was ignoring her request and notany move to leave, but another part of her felt evenwith their baby Marcos prideIt didn't ht She would have her baby, no matter what

When Eown and she drew back the curtains, she looked both vulnerable and afraid Just looking at her caused a sensation in Marco that felt like a giant fist squeezing his heart and wringing from it an emotion so concentrated that it burned his soul

The nurse helped Emily lie down on the bed next to the scanner and covered her legs with a blanket, then she started applying the necessary gel

Given she was around twenty weeks pregnant, her stoently rounded Erapher a very professional-looking young wo the resulting ies on the screen in front on her

‘Why a to have this kind of scan?’ Emily asked her

‘See—look, your baby is yawning’ The ultrasonographer s her questions E a fierce kick of awed joy as she stared avidly at the small but perfect form

‘Maybe he's not a he but a she'