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“Wait, back up. Why do you need an ultrasound, and what other tests do you need?” Joshua asks.
Leave it to him to bypass the name and baby girl part. I was hoping everyone would be so excited about her name they wouldn't pay much attention to the rest.
“Nothing important. It's normal at this stage,” I explain, hoping to deflect.
“No, it isn't. I've been reading, and I know the doctors only do ultrasounds at this stage if there are complications. Please, Ana, what aren’t you telling us?”
He's been reading? Why?
“Joshua, please stop. You're not pregnant, I am. If my doctor wants to run a million tests, who am I to stop him? Besides, how many babies have you had, or pregnant woman have you been around?”
“None, but I told you, I've been reading the books. Please! What's going on?”
I see the look of fear in his eyes, but I can't stay here and have this conversation.
“Look, I need to lie down. I'm supposed to avoid stress.” I turn to head up the stairs to my room.
“Maya and I will take you to town tomorrow.”
I whip around too fast and immediately feel a little dizzy. The next thing I know, I begin to fall. Joshua jumps to my side before I do more than wobble a bit.
“Ana, please be careful,” he groans, then swings me up into his arms and cradles me against his chest.
“Ana, are you really okay?” Maya asks, pointedly looking at my feet, which are now in full view as Joshua holds me. “Ana, your feet!”
I look where she’s pointing to see my feet are swollen inside my ballet flats.
“Well, that happens when a woman is pregnant.”
I still feel a little dizzy, but the doctor warned me this could happen. If they think I can't take care of myself, they won't let me move into my cottage.
I need to be strong for Isabella.
“Please put me down. I'm fine.”
“I got ya.” His drawl comes out. Joshua takes the stairs two at a time, carrying me to my room.
“Joshua, slow down! You're going to drop me.” I'm feeling a bit dizzier with all the movement. “Stop now, Joshua,” I beg.
I rest my head against his chest and do my best not to enjoy it. I desperately need to get control of my equilibrium.
“I got you.” As we enter my room with all the boxes lining the walls, he looks around, and asks, “Are you going somewhere, Ana?”
“I'm moving into the cottage tomorrow. Now, please, put me down. I feel like I'm going to be sick.”
“Ana, I don't think you moving out is such a good idea. You got dizzy and almost fell, plus your feet are incredibly swollen. How was your blood pressure today?”
“Those are none of your concern. Put. Me. Down. Now.”
“I rather like you here. We can talk without you walking away.”
“We have nothing to discuss.”
He leans his head closer to me. “Yes, we do, Angel.”
I gasp as he says his nickname for me. “No! Please, Joshua, put me down. I'm very tired, and I have a headache.” I feel the tears and the tickle in my nose. I'm so afraid I’m about to start crying in front of him.
“Please, Angel, talk to me. I'm worried about you. I thought you didn't recognize me.”
