Tough Love

Chap. 61 • "This Xmas"

Trimester 1
Month 2, Week 2
December 24th
Aya Weathers

Today is Christmas Eve and surprisingly, I'm alone. Tory is spending today with his family, then I'll see him later on tonight. Kenya is spending the day shopping with Karilyn as her Christmas gift. So where does that leave me? At the doctor's office, getting an ultrasound.

"How have you been taking things? No stress?" Dr. Davis asked me as I lied on my back with my shirt pulled up, exposing my 2 month belly. I was still fairly skinny, although I knew that would change in a matter of time.

"I can't even lie to you, I have been a bit stressed. I'm still having troubles with his or her father. Dude just won't budge." I shook my head in disappointment.

"Relax. I understand how hard it can be, but you gotta focus on your child. Do what's right for the two of you." She pressed down on my stomach with two fingers, feeling around.

"I know, I'm trying. It just gets frustrating. He just won't listen," I flinched once the cold jelly came in contact with my skin. "That's cold."

"Make him listen." She spread the jelly around my stomach.

"I'm afraid if I try to make him listen any more, he'll get a restraining order on me or something." I sighed deeply, just getting irritated at the thought. This isn't fair at all.

"Well, you don't necessarily need him. Although I do think that children should grow up with two parents, you're a strong woman. Besides, you have that boyfriend of yours to help you, if you're comfortable with that." I watched the screen, furrowing my brows.

"Boyfriend? I don't have a boyfriend." I chuckled.

"The man that was with you the last time? That's not your boyfriend? I'm sorry, I just assumed because of the way you two acted towards each other."

"Tory is an interesting character. He's my best friend though, he's been here for me throughout this entire mess." I smiled, realizing that I really had a down ass person in my life.

"He seems like he really cares for you."

"He does, I love him." I heard loud thumping coming from the monitor by the screen, causing me to gasp.

"Your baby has a steady heartbeat." She told me. I bit down on my lip to prevent myself from crying. I've never gotten to hear my own child's heartbeat.

"I do notice that it is slightly delayed, however. It's nothing too serious at the moment, but I think it's coming from the stress, Aya. You've got to take it easy or else the problems will get worse."

"I will try my absolute best. Do you know what I can do to maybe prevent myself from stressing so much?" I watched the monitor and noticed that there was something moving.

"Make sure you're getting enough sleep, you can meditate, do yoga, you can even maybe stress eat. But make sure if you go with the last one, the foods are typically on the healthier side, so you don't become too overweight."

"Sleep, I definitely need to get more of that." I nodded.

"You see that little gray area right there? Moving around? That's your baby. Of course, he or she isn't developed fully yet, but you can see they're starting to form."

I stared at the screen and could see exactly what she was talking about. I smiled widely, stuck in a state of unbelief that I was really finally getting the opportunity to have a child. No mishaps, no hesitation, no mistakes, nobody in the way, just me and my baby.

•

As I was braiding Kenya's hair on the couch, there was a knock on the door.

"Can you go open the door? I think it's Tory." I had gel on my hands and really didn't feel like getting up to wipe it off.