Page 111 of Shattered Hearts

Her lips twitch as she thinks for a moment. “We’ll be looking at thirty-eight weeks. Before then, if this advances quicker, we could push it back, but again, we’ll just have to take it as it comes.”

“That’s only a few weeks before full term, right?” Grayson asks, making me blink up at him.

Fiona seems a little taken aback, nodding. “Yes, that’s correct. We will try our best to have your baby stay in the womb as long as possible, because the more time in there, the better. But if labour starts early, or in the highly unlikely event of something else happening, we’ll do all we can to look after your baby.” Nodding, my fingers vibrate a little as Fiona gets up from her chair. “I’ll give you two a moment and grab those scans for you to take with you.”

I turn to Grayson, eyes pink. They must match mine, which are blurred over with tears. Sniffing, I rest my head on his shoulder. His arms wrap around me, pulling me close enough to inhale him. It settles the burning in my stomach as I close my eyes, feeling his lips on my hair.

“It’s going to be all right, Laynie. I promise you that it will,” he murmurs against my temple.

I sniff again, louder this time, but don’t say anything. Mainly because my voice will be too shaky for words to come out, but also because I want to believe him. I want all of this to be fine. I don’t want complications with the baby, or for something to happen to it. I’m protecting this baby with my life right now, but it’s mine. I love it with all my heart and soul, and if anything happens…

My fingers curl in the material of his shirt as he holds me. Neither of us say anything until Fiona returns. It’s like we can communicate telepathically, and he knows how much I need his hold right now. Words just feel empty. Hollow. But actions scream louder than words.

As soon as I’m settled in the passenger seat of his ute, my nerves settle a fraction. Grayson gets in beside me, closing the door and sighing before taking my hand once again. I’ve picked off all the nail polish, and he must have noticed, because he brings them to his mouth, kissing my fingers gently. My eyes fill with tears again as he stares at me.

“It’s going to be okay.”

My lips tremble as I return my gaze to the windscreen. “How do you know, though?”

He’s silent for a long beat before responding, “Because you’re strong and resilient, and our baby will be, too. I know it.”

I sniff, my eyes drifting closed as he leans over, tipping his head to connect with mine. His hand reaches out, cupping my stomach, and I feel a tear drop down my cheek.

“How are you so sure?” I ask, voice barely audible.

I hear him swallow. “I’m not, but this baby has both of us to protect it. We’re both here for it, and I’m here for you. I’m going to try my best to not let anything happen to either one of you.” My eyes find his again, looking through wet lashes at the pale blueness of his irises. “Also, I might have looked all of this up.”

My lips part with surprise. “You looked this up?”

“Yeah,” he admits softly, and my chest squeezes. “I went online and read about it. Just to know more about what we’re dealing with. It said that usually this is harmless for both the mother and the baby, and sometimes the baby just needs extra help in the first few weeks of its life.”

I let out a slow breath, taking his hand in mine and holding onto it like the lifeline it’s become. The one thing that grounds me most from my anxiety is Grayson, and right now, I need him more than ever to keep my spiraling at bay. “I can’t believe you did that.”

He shrugs, putting the key into the ignition and firing up the engine. “I told you that I wanted to be a part of this baby’s life, and I wasn’t joking. If I’m going to be the dad, then I need to know th—”

I pull him towards me and press my lips against his. Sighing pleasantly, Grayson kisses me back, and I just know that we’re going to be okay.

Now that I have this man forever, we’re going to be more than fine, no matter what happens.

“Oh, it’s gorgeous,” Mum says with a sigh, staring at the photo on the fridge as I pour myself some tea. She takes it off, smiling, before turning to me and lifting it, as if I haven’t looked at the sonogram a hundred times already. “Beautiful.”

“It is.”

Setting the kettle down, I let out a small breath.

Mum puts the image back and tilts her head a fraction. “What’s wrong, Laynie girl?”

I chew on my lip. “Just a little anxious about the baby and all...”

“Have you spoken with Charlotte? I know that helps you when you have an appointment with her.”

My head shakes as I swirl the metal filter around the mug, enhancing the tea flavour. “I haven’t yet, but I will make an appointment.”

She nods, turning to leave.

“But maybe we could talk?” I murmur.

She looks me in the eye, light blue like mine, and I can see where I get my pale features from. I look so like her, apart from my height, which I’m guessing my awesome non-existent father gave me.