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“Sorry,” the tech mumbled.
The screen was turned in such a way that neither Sloane nor I could see it, but the tech and doctor could.
“Do you know whether you’re having a boy or a girl?” Dr. Phillips asked.
“No,” Sloane answered.
“Do you want to know?”
She looked up at me.
“It’s up to you, peanut.”
She bit her bottom lip, and I leaned in closer. “If you want to wait, it’s okay with me,” I whispered.
“I want to know,” she whispered back.
The doctor repositioned the machine so we could see the screen.
“Oh, wow,” I gasped, gazing at the tiny human appearing in 3D. I could even see his or her face. I looked down at Sloane, whose eyes were filled with tears.
“It’s amazing, isn’t it?” she murmured.
I brushed at the moisture forming at the corner of my eye. “Miraculous.”
“Last time I’ll ask. Are you sure you want to know?”
I looked at Sloane, who nodded.
“Based on what I see, or don’t see here,”—she pointed to the screen—“I’d say you’re having a little girl.”
I didn’t care if Sloane was mad at me, not speaking to me, whatever it was that made her hide from me, I leaned down and kissed her lips. “Congratulations, little mama.”
Sloane brought her arm up, wrapped it around my neck, and I kissed her again.
When the tech left, the doctor pulled a chair near the side of the gurney. “The bleeding you experienced was caused by placenta previa. Are you familiar with the term?”
Both Sloane and I shook our heads.
“In simpler terms, it means the placenta is either fully or partially covering the cervix. In your case, it’s between full and partial. Three-quarters, if you will. I’m not concerned about you carrying the baby to full term, but in order to do that, you’ll have to remain on bed rest for the duration.”
“Okay,” I heard Sloane whisper.
“I want to keep you overnight, just to be sure, but you should be able to return home tomorrow.”
“Okay,” she repeated.
“Any questions?” The doctor looked from me to Sloane and back again. I had a million but doubted she was looking for anything unrelated to what she’d just told us. “No? We’ll see about getting you up to a regular room as soon as possible. I’ll be back by later, either here or there, but hopefully there.”
When the doctor left and pulled the curtain closed behind her, Sloane closed her eyes.
I stroked her hair. “Get some rest, peanut.”
“Tackle, I…”
“Shh. Just rest for now. I’ll be here when you wake up.”
“My parents…”
