Hourglass Squared by K. S., Megan C. Smith Read Free Book Online

face.
    "Brooke," she began. I forced my eyes shut, unable to stomach another reason to keep quiet. Savannah was my best friend. I loved her with every fiber of my being, but I didn't agree with her choice right now and had to play second fiddle to the lie. Just before the doors slid closed, a solitary tear trickled down Savannah's cheek.
     

     
    I parked my car in the first available space at the doctor's office, spotting Josh's a few spaces down. As I reached over to grab my purse, my car door swung open.
    "Hey, beautiful," Josh crooned, taking my hand and placing a kiss on it before helping me out. "I'm so excited for this," he continued, his excitement pouring out of him and warming me from the inside. This was something joyous and happy that we could celebrate, and I clung to that thought, pushing Savannah's troubles to the back of my mind.
    We were called back quickly and taken to an exam room. I had chosen to go with a midwife, wanting as natural of a process as possible for our baby's journey into the world.
    Melissa came strolling in, my chart in her hand as she reviewed my file. "Good afternoon, Mrs. Worthington, Mister" She nodded to both of us with a genuine smile that was infectious.
    "Brooke, please," I said, returning her smile as she shook Josh's hand. He'd been unable to make the first appointment due to work, so she quickly introduced herself to him before turning back to me.
    "So, I'm a bit concerned. Your weight has dropped a little. Has the nausea subsided?"
    I nodded my head in reply, and she went back to flipping pages.
    "Well, I want to keep an eye on it. Make sure you are eating plenty and taking your vitamins. You are now," she flipped a few more pages, "thirteen weeks, so we will just measure and listen to the heartbeat today, but seven more weeks and you'll have another ultrasound."
    Josh's shoulder slumped as a laugh took over my body, reaching over I took his hand and gave it a squeeze. "Hey, don't pout, baby, you got one on the way," I teased as I lay back on the table and placed my feet in the metal stirrups.
    The paper crinkled beneath me as I lifted my cotton shirt up to my bust line and pushed the waistband of my skirt down to my panties. Melissa grabbed a tube of the lubricant jelly and shook it to the top, then squirt a dollop on my flat stomach. She spun in her chair, picked up the little gadget on her counter, and placed it on my belly. The room filled with the annoying sound of static. Suddenly my heart skipped a beat as I heard that of my child, beating strongly and loudly, echoing through the room.
    Thu-dump, thu-dump, thu-dump.
    Tears trickled down my cheeks as Josh turned me into him, hugging me tightly around the neck.
    "Oh, Josh," I choked out, reaching up and grasping the starched collar of his shirt to pull him closer to me. Sharing that moment with my husband was just… magical. Leaning back to the table, I took the tissue offered by Melissa and dabbed my eyes. A few quick measurements and we were sent on our way with another appointment scheduled in four weeks.
    Josh walked me out to my car and opened the door for me to climb inside the driver's seat. "That was, that was amazing, Brooke. I want to call Jake, but he is so touchy about all things baby," he said wistfully as he messed with the handle of my car door.
    I felt the bile rise in my throat and covered my mouth as I fought to hold it back.
    "I thought it had stopped?" Josh asked, obviously concerned that I was looking a little green.
    "It has. I think something I ate is just disagreeing with me," I lied once again, this one coming out easier than the last. Mentally, I cursed Savannah for putting me in this predicament. "No big deal, I'm heading home anyway. I told Lisa if she needed me to call me there."
    Josh nodded, looking pleased that I'd be home resting. "Good. Be sure to elevate your feet and take a nap. You don't have to work full time, you know."
    My eyes went heavenward as the irritation bristled within.