A Problem Shared

2

You sat in the doctor's office, nervously awaiting your name to be called. This was all wrong. Here you sat, waiting to see your baby for the first time and Marcus wasn't here.

You hated the idea of facing this pregnancy alone but it was one you'd had to learn to live with. To say you were nervous about how this scan was going to go was beyond an understatement. The bloods had come back fine but you knew there was only so much they could tell you, the scan would show you once and for all if you were going to get your wish. Your name was called and you practically jumped to your feet, stumbling towards the kind-eyed woman who'd asked for you.

"Follow me." She said sweetly before motioning for you to follow and your heart started to pulse in your throat.

She led you to a clean, clinical room with one wall smothered in photos of mothers and their newborn babies. You studied them a minute, smiling at how happy they all looked before your attention was grabbed by the kind lady again.

"If you lay down here and lift your shirt, I'll get the machine ready" She stated and you nodded, following her instructions to the letter.

"Is this your first?" She asked and you nodded again.

"Bit of a miracle baby to be honest." You answered and she looked at you quizzically "I had cancer three years ago. Was told the treatment had damaged my ovaries and that it was unlikely I'd ever have children. The father also had cancer, of the kidney... was told the same thing."

"He's not with you today?" She asked and you shook your head sadly.

"No." You replied simply "Unfortunately, he couldn't be here."

She didn't press any further. Instead, she squeezed some gel onto your stomach, apologising for it being cold, and placed the probe on your slightly rounded belly.

You sat there quietly as she moved the device around, your heart racing as she did her work and just as you were about to ask if everything was okay, she spoke.

"Everything looks perfect." She said with a smile as she turned the screen towards you.

"There they are." She said as she pointed at the screen.

They looked like a cashew with legs to you but you couldn't help but tear up at the sight. You'd never thought you'd get this chance and yet here you were, looking at your miracle baby.

"You look to be around 13 - 14 weeks along so I would say you'll be due around February 14th.

That tore a choked laugh from you. Of course, the baby of the most romantic man you knew would be due on Valentine's day.

"I will print you some pictures. You can collect them at the desk." She announced, pulling you from your thoughts and you nodded at her with a small smile "I'm sure daddy will be excited to see them."

You could only give her a sad smile. Not having the strength to tell her the truth. You simply thanked her, accepted the leaflets she gave you, and left, collecting your photographs on the way out.

Your drive back to the apartment was a tense one, your mind wandering back to when you'd created your little peanut and you screamed in frustration at how your mind seemed to want to torture you.

Turning your key in the door, you toed off your shoes and padded across the cold, laminate, floor as you headed to the kitchen. Desperately in need of tea.

You'd worked out what night it was almost instantly. You and Marcus hadn't been intimate that much since being together, his body often too tired. The night in question though, he'd cooked you a nice meal, danced with you in the kitchen, and then taken you on the counter like a man possessed. You blushed at the thought of your baby being conceived in such a way.