Page 117 of The Don’s Omega

Dr. Vasquez chuckles. “That’s what a good alpha does. Supports his neurotic omega.”

Elio laughs. “I do feel like I’m losing my mind sometimes.”

“That too is normal,” she says just as some shapes begin to appear on the screen of the sonogram machine.

Elio’s fingers tighten on mine as his eyes lock on the screen, searching the shapes for something recognizable. Dr. Vasquez moves the wand slowly, adjusting pressure and angle, her face calm and focused.

“There.” She touches the screen, pointing out a small bright shape inside a dark oval. There’s a flutter of movement so rapid it looks like a tremor. “That’s the heartbeat,” she says.

“Oh, wow,” Elio murmurs, eyes wide.

“You think that’s amazing, just wait.” She laughs, reaches for a dial, and turns it, and sound fills the room.

The sound fills the room in a sudden rush, fast and muffled through the machine. Not the steady, familiar beat of an adult heart, but a quick, fluttering rhythm, almost too rapid to count. Whup-whup-whup-whup, tiny and relentless.

Elio’s hand tightens around mine. He makes a sound, just a raw exhale that catches in the middle, and when I look at him his eyes are bright.

Dr. Vasquez smiles at the screen. “Heart sounds strong and steady.”

Hearing the heartbeat of our child, I’m overwhelmed. I bring Elio’s hand to my mouth and press my lips against his knuckles. He turns his head to look at me. I have no idea what my face is doing, but whatever he sees there softens him.

“Awww, Marcello,” he whispers.

I frown. “What?”

He lifts his free hand and brushes his thumb over my cheek.

Only then do I realize it’s wet.

I didn’t know.

I laugh gruffly, wiping roughly at my face. “What the hell is wrong with me?”

Elio laughs. “You have feelings. You know, like a real boy.”

“I guess,” I grumble, face hot.

“Growth is right on track,” Dr. Vasquez says, not noticing our interaction, or choosing to give us space. “Everything looks great.”

“I’m so relieved,” Elio says. “I’ve been worried.”

She smiles at him. “It would be weird if you weren’t. This is a big deal. You’re bringing a new life into the world. If you just took it for granted, that would kind of undermine the enormity of it all, right?”

“Yeah.” Elio nods, staring at the screen.

My voice is thick as I say, “It’s amazing.” Bringing life into the world is the opposite of what I usually do. I’m more of an escort someone out of this world kind of guy.

Dr. Vasquez says, “I’ll schedule the fetal echo at twenty weeks to check the baby’s cardiac development, but based on what I’m seeing today, I have no concerns.” She prints an image from the screen and hands it to Elio. “First picture of your baby.”

“Thanks.” He takes it with both hands staring at the grainy black-and-white photograph.

She smiles at his awestruck expression. “The sonograms get even more exciting as the baby develops more.”

“I can imagine.” Elio sighs.

She shuts off the machine and wipes the gel from Elio’s stomach. “Everything looks good today. We’ll want to see you again around twelve weeks for the first-trimester screening.”

“We’ll be here.” I stand as Elio sits up.