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It was unsettling, to be sitting next to a woman I’d known my entire life, and not kno to talk about our situation I wanted to ask her what she wanted, but the fear of having her reject ain stopped me, and I didn’t kno to move past it

THE NURSE SMILED when she walked in, and looked a little surprised to see me She stuck out her hand, and I took it “I’m Sirenda You must be dad”

“Yes ma’am,” I replied “Reid Cole”

“Nice todown on the bed, her expression reading of kindness and familiarity

“You ready to see your baby?”

Jade’s face broke out into a bright grin, and she showed no signs of nervousness Only eagerness She looked cal my hands down the front of h this once before, but the thought of seeing our baby for the first tied somewhere between my sternum and my throat After this, it would be real to me

Jade’s squeal pulled me out of el onto her belly She used the wand to spread it around, and clicked on the ultrasound machine

“Everything looks good so far,” said the nurse After another click, the volurew quiet as the space was filled with a loud woosh and then a steady ‘thump-thump thump-thump’

I could feel Jade’s eyes on the side of my face, but I couldn’t look away from the shape on the screen, or the sound that – if possible – brought me to my knees

That was my baby’s heartbeat

Strong

Steady

“Perfect,” the nurse hs around ten and a half ounces That’s great”

“Is there a reason I’ now?” Asked Jade

The nurse continued toyour baby is healthy, and growing as expected, it couldcloser to your spine Baby will ger”

When I found ed to ask, “Can we find out the sex?”

“Let’s see if baby will show us,” she replied, still s at the screen I felt Jade’s hand slide intocloser until I could take a seat next to the bed

“It looks like you are expecting a girl,” said the nurse She wriggled the wand again, and laughed “Yep, baby girl’s legs are wide open”

Jade sniffled beside me, and instinctively I moved in to kiss her temple

We’re having a girl

“I’ll print these for you,” the nurse continued, cleaning up Jade’s wet sto those vitaht feel like butterflies, but she’s just letting you know she’s really in there”

“I read that faintness, and dizziness were nornancy, is that true?”

Jade looked surprised, as did the nurse

“Yes, that’s all symptoestion, and swelling of your feet and ankles That’s all normal”

“And iron,” I added “Jade has to eat ht?”

“Yes,” the nurse chuckled “I’eable father I’ve had walk through my doors”

I shrugged “I wanted to make sure I knehat to expect I want to be there for Jade anyway I can”