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Relax? How am I supposed to relax in a situation like this? My mind is racing a million miles a minute, wondering how this is going to turn out. What if something is wrong with the baby? What if I can't do this?
Jesse gives my hand a squeeze before heading out of the room to fill out the paperwork. I'm left alone with Reagan, the quiet hum of the machines filling the silence.
She's gentle as she performs the ultrasound, her movements slow and deliberate. I can see the screen, the little blob that represents my baby. It's amazing, really. That there's a little life growing inside of me.
And it's terrifying, too.
More terrifying than anything else, I think.
Reagan studies the screen, her brow furrowing slightly. "It looks like...it looks like the contractions are getting farther apart. Do you feel alright, Piper?"
"I'm scared," I whisper. "But it doesn't hurt as much."
"That's good," Reagan nods with a smile. "I guess your baby decided she wants to stay in there for a little while longer."
I inhale sharply. "She?"
Reagan's smile drops. "Oh...I didn't know you'd decided not to learn the sex--"
"That's okay, that's okay," I cut in. "I...oh my God...thank you, Reagan."
I dissolve into tears again, unable to stop myself. Reagan soothes me with a hand on my shoulder. "It's okay, Piper. Everything is going to be okay."
I nod, taking deep breaths to calm myself down. Jesse returns just as I'm wiping away my tears, looking relieved to see that I'm alright.
"So?" he asks, his eyes going back and forth between me and Reagan.
"It looks like the contractions have slowed down," Reagan says, turning to him. "We're going to keep Piper here for observation for a little while longer, but it seems like the baby is okay. It may have just been Braxton Hicks, but I'm not sure yet--and I don't want to take any risks."
Jesse visibly relaxes, his shoulders slumping in relief. "Thank God."
Reagan smiles at him. "I'll let you know as soon as we have more information. In the meantime, you can wait in the lobby or go grab some blankets or something to read--"
"I'm staying right here," he says, then looks at me with a smile. "Where I belong."
Chapter eighteen
Jesse
Piperhasenoughgoingon--she's stressed as it is, with her night at the clinic and news that she has to go on bedrest for the next six weeks until a scheduled C-section.
It's going to be rough.
And I need to deal with Calebnow.
I pushed her too much, made her spend too much time with my family. Now, though, I need to take responsibility. I was the one who drove down the coast to see her the first time, who told her I wanted her, who seduced her. She always said we shouldn't.
And I didn't care.
When morning breaks, I take a walk and leave Piper to rest with Sadie at her bedside. Reagan gave me the grace to not tell Caleb what's going on--yet--and he should be getting up just about now with their son, Ryan. That means there's no time to waste.
It's time to tell my brother I knocked up his ex.
That she's here.
That we're together and he can't stop me.
I take a deep breath as I approach Caleb's door. I knock twice and wait for him to answer. When he finally does, a giggling Ryan on his hip, he looks surprised to see me.
