Her eyes go wide. “Oh. No, nothing like that.”
“You sure? You don’t seem very relaxed.”
“Well, yeah. I’m fine, but you’re about to get a big dose of Grandma Ann, who decided to drive up for a surprise. She’s in the waiting room upstairs.” She gives me an apologetic, grimacing smile.
“Aw, is that all? I can handle a grandparent.”
“You haven’t met Grandma Ann. She’s a smothering hugger. A smugger.”
A few minutes later, I am indeed smothered in a hug from Tessa’s Grandma Ann, but the woman is smaller than Tessa, so she’s hardly a threat, even with her attempt at a bear hug.
“So this is the rugged cowboy I’ve heard so much about.”
“She’s exaggerating. I merely mentioned that you exist.” Tessa’s pink cheeks betray her, and I tug her to my side, grateful for that blush.
“So let me get a look at you.” Grandma Ann holds me at arm’s length and takes me in from head to toe, her neck arching to look at my face. “Baby’s going to have nice-looking genes. Are you a reader?”
“I am, ma’am. I like the classics, a few mysteries in the mix,” I tell her as she nods her approval.
“Tessa’s always had a good head on her shoulders. She makes good choices, so I have no doubts about you. But do me a favor, would you? Keep our girl from carrying the weight of the world on those shoulders. Get her out to have some fun once in a while.”
“Deal. I’m available for fun,” I say, winking at Tessa.
“Okay, Gram, enough.” The blush turns scarlet, and I wonder if she’s recalling a particular type of fun we’ve had. Tessa goes over to talk to the receptionist and flicks a hand at me like she’s shooing me away, but I catch her grin.
A side door pops open, and we’re ushered into a patient room. It’s tight with the three of us in there, so Grandma Ann and I step into the hallway to give Tessa some privacy to change into a gown.
“I trust you’ll do what’s needed to take care of our Tessa.” Grandma Ann wags a finger at me.
“Of course,” I say. “Without question.”
She lowers her voice and leans in, even though there’s no one within earshot. “No, I mean takecareof her. That girl looks out for everyone in the world but herself, and I have a soft spot for a man who’s keen on keeping an eye out just for her.”
It’s a missing piece of a puzzle I’ve been working to complete since I met Tessa. I know she has four sisters, but she hasn’t said much about her family dynamic, other than to say she’s thefamily planner. I now see that it goes much deeper, and despite all that I have going on in my own life, I do want to carry some of her burden.
I nod and lean down so Grandma Ann knows we’re on the same page. “I’ll make it my mission. You have my word.”
“Oh, honey. I can already see that you have, just from the fact that you drove two hours to an appointment. You’re a good egg, John Fitzgerald. I can tell.” She stands on tiptoe and kisses me on the cheek.
We follow the doctor into the exam room, and Tessa introduces us to Dr. Robbins. “My fan club,” she says, laughing. There’s a lightness in her voice that’s different from last night when she told me she was nervous about the chromosomal testing. I think she likes having us in her corner.
The doctor asks questions about her sleep and diet while slathering gel onto her belly and turning on the ultrasound machine. At least I think that’s what the contraption with the wand on the end is.
I don’t have time to ask because a moment later, a fuzzy image appears on a little screen and I hear a loud, rhythmic whooshing sound. Tessa and Grandma Ann smile and nod, but I’m a little freaked out by the sound, which sounds like audio feedback and static. I don’t recall sounds like this from the video chat we had at her last appointment. Maybe the machine is broken.
“There’s an arm. And there’s the head and the little belly.” As the wand moves over Tessa’s belly, I see the shapes of a tiny human flickering in and out of focus. It’s all suddenly very, very real.
“Beautiful, perfect little human,” Tessa says. I nod, unable to find words of agreement.
“What’s that sound?” I ask, finally.
“Your baby’s heartbeat. Steady and strong,” the doctor says. I freeze and look at Tessa, the magnitude of the moment sinking in.
Our baby’s heartbeat…
I reach for her hand, and she gives mine a squeeze. Grandma Ann smiles at me, affirming the promise I made, and I nod.
The doctor takes measurements of the baby and tells us the development looks right on track. “I’m going to take a small sample of cells for testing. You might feel a pinch and some pressure,” he says.
