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Tuck
Put a Ring on It
“There’s one femur.”The keyboard clacks as the ultrasound tech makes a note on the screen. “And another. Everything is measuring right on track, y’all. Well done.”
Maren scoffs. “I feel like this is all just incredibly good luck. I’m not doing a thing.”
“Not doing a thing?” I squeeze her hand. “You’re only sharing yourbodywith our baby. A body you’re taking excellent care of, by the way. That’s a big deal. Not to mention a full-time job.”
She offers me a tired, happy smile. “You’re sweet.”
“He’s right.” The tech continues to pound on her keyboard. “Women don’t get nearly enough credit for what they go through during pregnancy. You’re doing great, Mama.”
“You really are.” I lean down to kiss her fingers. Seeing our baby up on the screen for its twenty-week ultrasound, its tiny heart beating a hundred fifty-six beats a minute, has my own heart swelling inside my chest.
I cannot wait to meet this little person. I get more excitedby the day. So excited, in fact, that I surprised Maren by hiring my interior designer to help put together a nursery. So far we have a crib and a glider, with wallpaper and some bookshelves on the way.
I have another surprise up my sleeve too. One I hope Maren will appreciate just as much. Maybe it’s overkill, but treating my girls is one of life’s best little pleasures.
The past few months have been some of the happiest of my life. Things aren’t perfect, granted. Maren’s parents are still not thrilled about our decision to have the baby, and I know her heart hurts knowing they don’t approve. But they still call to check in on her, and they even came to Bald Head for some very awkward Christmas day mocktails at my place.
Maren passed all her classes last semester. She didn’t do as well as she wanted, but she’s back at it again now that the holidays are over. She’s on track to graduate right before the baby arrives in May.
Overall, things aregood. Maren and I do date night once a week now that she’s hit her second trimester and feeling better. We’ve even gone out with Riley and Lu a few times, which is always fun. Katie is thriving, and she’s starting to poop in the potty more often than not.
We eat dinner together every night, Mom, Dad, or Jen often joining us, and spend our weekends exploring the island or taking field trips to Beaufort or Wilmington for ice cream and shopping. It’s nice having a little crew to do things with.
“Let’s check your cervix real quick,” the tech says.
When her fingers go still on the keyboard, I immediately know something’s up.
“Huh,” she says.
Maren glances at me. “That doesn’t sound good.”
Brow furrowed, the tech moves the wand over the little swell of Maren’s belly. She’s just starting to show, and I can’t get enough of her curves. Or the fact that she loves sex somuch these days. I’m not sure who enjoys her orgasms more, her or me.
“It looks like you have partial placenta previa.” The tech finally looks at us. “That means your placenta is partially covering your cervix, blocking the birth canal. Usually it resolves itself in time for delivery, but we’ll have to monitor you extra carefully over the next several months just to be sure.”
My stomach does a somersault. “But Maren will be okay?”
“We’ll take excellent care of her, Mr. Monroe.”
Maren blinks, clearly on the verge of tears. “Still scary.”
When we meet with Dr. Yelich following the ultrasound, she assures us that most cases of this type of condition do resolve on their own. Maren will have to get some extra ultrasounds, however.
“And be on the lookout for any bleeding or cramping,” the doctor says. “It’s somewhat common in women with placenta previa, but if the bleeding gets heavy, it could indicate a more serious problem.”
My stomach does another somersault. “What kind of problem?”
“In rare cases, it could lead to preterm birth or severe blood loss.”
I blink, bile rising in my throat at the idea of either of those things happening to Maren or our baby. I’m not sure I can survive more loss in my life. More tragedy.
“But like I said, complications like that are rare,” Dr. Yelich continues. “We’ll keep a close eye on how Maren’s pregnancy progresses. Chances are everyone will be just fine.”
