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Susan stares at him in shock. “What are you saying?”
“I was wrong before. It took me a while, but I know what I have to do. We’re having a baby.”
24
ED
If I managed to summon a little more enthusiasm, maybe I would have believed it myself.
Susan blinks, obviously taken aback. “What? Really?”
“Yes,” I say.
I never imagined myself as a father. The wounds from our past, the scars carved into our hearts by our own father, still haunt us. The fear of repeating his mistakes looms large.
I don’t want to hurt Susan. She deserves someone who can wholeheartedly embrace this journey with her. Deep down, I question whether I am that person. But, what’s done is done. If I abandon Susan now, when she needs me, I’ll be no better than my father.
I get up from my chair and walk to Susan, holding her tightly. She looks up at me, her eyes filled with tears. I take a deep breath and say, “I’ve been thinking all night, Susan. I know I was angry and said some things I shouldn’t have, but I’m ready to be a father too. I want to be there for you and the baby.”
Susan looks surprised and relieved at the same time. She wraps her arms around me, and we stay like that for a few moments. Then she pulls back and says, “Thank you, Ed. I was so scared you wouldn’t want this.”
I just nod, not wanting to lie straight away. I don’t begrudge this baby, but this couldn’t have happened at a worse time.
“We don’t have all the answers, Susan,” I say softly before glancing at my brothers. “But we have each other, and together we can face whatever comes our way.”
“There’s a good gynecologist in Wishing. She’s available today,” Artie says.
“We should go today and have the baby checked out,” I say. As soon as I say it, Susan breaks into a grin, wiping the rest of her tears away. I feel a pit open up in my stomach, but I swallow it.
“All of us?” Ollie says. “That’s going to raise some questions.”
“I don’t care,” I say as I grab the truck keys. “Let’s go.”
As we walk into the clinic, I can sense Susan’s nervousness. I reach out and hold her hand, offering her reassurance.
The waiting room is filled with other patients, their faces a mix of anticipation and concern. I glance around, taking in the familiar sights and sounds of a doctor’s office. The scent of disinfectant hangs in the air, and the soft hum of conversation fills the space.
When Susan’s name is called, we enter the examination room. The doctor greets us with a warm smile.
“Good morning, Susan. How are you feeling today?” The doctor looks at the three of us pointedly before she turns to Susan.
“A bit nervous, but hanging in there,” Susan says.
“That’s completely normal. Pregnancy can bring about a mix of emotions. Just know you’re in good hands. And I see you have your partner here with you,” she says.
“Partners,” Ollie says, putting a hand on Susan’s shoulder. I’m sitting next to her while my brothers are behind us.
The doctor raises a brow. I can tell she has questions, but she keeps it professional. “Now, Susan, let’s discuss any symptoms or concerns you may have been experiencing. Did you take any tests at home?”
“Well, I’ve been feeling a bit fatigued and nauseous lately. I did take tests, but the answers were not conclusive,” Susan says.
“Not to worry. We’ll have bloodwork done, and we can have results in as quick as thirty minutes. Do you know how far you are along?”
“I’m approximating three weeks, maybe less,” Susan says. “The only reason I figured something was wrong was because I missed my period. And I’m never late.”
“Okay, gotcha,” the doctor says. She calls someone through the intercom, and a few minutes later, a nurse comes in.
“Please accompany me to the lab so we can do your bloodwork,” she says.
