Total pages in book: 61
Estimated words: 56628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 56628 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 283(@200wpm)___ 227(@250wpm)___ 189(@300wpm)
Alyssa smiled over at Addy, who was rendered speechless. “Would you like to hear the heartbeat?”
Addy nodded. There was a couple of taps on the keyboard, and then suddenly, I heard it.
Whoosh-whoosh. Whoosh-whoosh. Whoosh-whoosh.
It wasn’t even my kid, but at that moment, I fell in love with Addy’s baby, and I was jealous as fuck of Joey, even if he was no longer with us.
Tears streamed down Addy’s cheeks. She looked up at me, a small, breathy laugh falling past her lips. The beautiful sound warmed the darkest, coldest parts of my soul. “She’s real,” Addy breathed.
“She?” I asked, unable to stop the smile that spread across my lips.
Addy nodded. “I have a damn good feeling that I’m going to have a girl, and she’s going to have Joey’s eyes and attitude.”
My mood soured at the thought of Joey, but I knew Adelaide needed this. And if it made her happy, then so be it. I would suck it up.
Alyssa smiled and handed Addy three pictures. “You can go through that curtain there,” she said, pointing to a small curtain, “and clean the gel off of your belly.”
Addy handed me the pictures as she got off of the bed, disappearing behind the curtain. “You two are very lucky parents. The baby seems very strong and seems to be on track for how far along she is. Congratulations on being parents,” she said warmly as Addy appeared from behind the curtain.
I looked to Addy, smiling at her, so happy to see a small smile on her face after looking so sad ever since Joey passed. “Thank you. I’m just happy to be having a baby with a woman as incredible as her,” I told Alyssa, though my words were solely for the beautiful woman in front of me. Addy’s smile widened at me as she allowed me to grab her hand and link our fingers together. “Should we just head back to Dr. Howard’s room?”
Alyssa nodded. Once we were back in Dr. Howard’s room, Addy leaned up to kiss me again. Fuck, she was finally loosening up with me, and I was loving every second of it. I needed my Addy baby back. “Did you mean what you said in there?” Addy asked me softly.
Looking down at her, I nodded. “Of course, I did. Addy, this baby may not be mine, but the moment I heard that heartbeat, I fell in love with it.” Her beautiful eyes welled with tears. “I want to be here for you every step of the way. Through the mood swings, through the morning sickness, even the labor and delivery. I want to help you raise this baby, Addy.”
Tears slipped down her cheeks at my words. “You’re too damn amazing, Tristan,” she whispered, her voice hoarse.
Reaching up, I wiped the tears from her cheeks, giving her a warm, soft smile. “Only for you, Addy baby,” I told her, and it was true. For anyone else, I would have booted them to the curb.
For Addy? I would fucking do anything to keep her by my side.
Dr. Howard stepped into the room., breaking our heartfelt moment. “Alright. Well, your baby appears to be healthy and developing right on track, Adelaide.” He handed Addy a thick folder. “This is everything you can expect every week while you’re pregnant, with your body as well as how the baby is developing. I’ve also added in a list of over-the-counter medications that are safe to take while you’re pregnant, and there’s some information on some prenatal yoga classes, some parenting classes, etc., if you’re interested.” He looked at me. “If something is happening, and it’s worrying you, you know how to reach me after hours.”
I nodded. I had Dr. Howard’s private number, and if something were happening with Adelaide, he could bet on a phone call. I wouldn’t take any chances—not with her or her baby.
He looked back at Adelaide. “Here’s a prescription for some prenatal vitamins that you need to begin taking tomorrow morning,” he told her as he handed her a prescription paper. She put it in the folder. “You look as if you already exercise. What do you do?” Dr. Howard asked her.
“I normally fight,” Addy told him. I sighed. That was going to have to stop.
He shook his head at her. “I wouldn’t do that anymore if I were you.” Adelaide pursed her lips in distaste. “Some boxing with a punching bag probably won’t hurt, but no more actual fights. Light walking and jogging are good, but the moment you begin to feel tired, call it quits. You’re pregnant, and you don’t need to overdo yourself.”
She nodded in understanding, though she looked as if the idea of no longer fighting left a sour taste in her mouth. I knew it was how she burned off all her toxic energy, but she was going to have to find another outlet. “Three meals a day is extremely important with some light snacks in-between. No more caffeine and drink plenty of water. I want you to come back in a month for a follow-up appointment.”