The Soldier's Baby Surprise (For the Baby's Sake, Book 1) (7 page)

Chapter Ten

              “Relax, Willow. Everything is going to be fine.”

              Willow closed her eyes and took a deep breath as she did her best to believe Geneva’s words. They were in the waiting room of her gynecologist waiting to find out if she was going to become her obstetrician as well. The one thing she’d already decided was that if she was pregnant, she was keeping her baby. Whether she had Chase’s support or not, she wanted her child. Regardless of the outcome, she was going to do everything in her power to make it work. She’d just managed to relax a little when the medical assistant called her name.

              Geneva placed a reassuring hand on Willows arm. “You’re going to be okay. I’ll be out here waiting if you need anything.”

              Willow’s eyes widened. “You’re not going back with me?”

              The expression of panic that appeared on her Geneva’s face would have been comical if Willow hadn’t been so scared herself.

              “I hadn’t planned on it.”

              “I really need you with me, Geneva.”

              Geneva opened her mouth but no sound came out. Then she seemed to compose herself. “Fine, but I refuse to look at your lady parts. I love you, but not that much.”

              That was exactly what Willow needed to hear. She burst into laughter as she stood up. Geneva followed suit and they followed the medical assistant to the back. Willow’s weight was taken and for once she didn’t cringe at the number. She’d managed to lose a few pounds somehow. Not really surprising consider her rough bout with nausea.

              “Okay, Ms. Barton, we need a urine sample from you,” the medical assistant stated as she handed over a specimen cup.

              Willow looked at Geneva whose face scrunched up in disgust. “Oh, no. You’re on your own with this part. I draw the line at holding the cup for you.”

              Even the medical assistant laughed. Willow just shook her head and headed toward the direction of the bathroom. The moment of truth had arrived. She provided the sample and a few minutes later she sat in an examination room with her friend, trying not to count the seconds as they ticked by on the clock.

              What seemed like an eternity later, Dr. Mayer finally entered the room with a bright smile. “Hi, Willow. It’s good to see you again.”

              Dr. Mayer extended a hand to Geneva. “Dr. Mayer, and you are?”

              “Geneva Robinson, Willow’s best friend and support today.”

              “Nice you to meet you.”

              “Likewise.”

              The tall slender woman took a seat on the stool. “I know you came in today for a pregnancy confirmation and congratulations are in order. The test came back positive.”

              Tears sprang into Willow’s eyes before she could help it. A look of concern appeared on her doctors’ face.

              “What’s wrong?” she asked.

              ‘This is just a little unexpected.”

              “That’s understandable. Let me tell you what your options are today and we can go from there.”

              “Okay.”

              “First, just based on what you put on your patient questionnaire we estimate you are around five weeks. I want to draw some blood to run the customary lab work. We want to be prepared for anything. I know you don’t know your birth mother’s medical history during her pregnancy with you, but I would suggest asking your parents for any information they can provide.”

              Willow stiffened. In all of her concern over telling Chase about the possibility of becoming parents, she hadn’t even thought about telling her own. She knew they were going to be thrilled. They wanted grandbabies to spoil.

              Dr. Mayer continued speaking. “Also, if you’d like, we can perform a transvaginal ultrasound today to help confirm the pregnancy. This will also allow us to the opportunity to make sure everything is okay inside. How does that sound?”

              So many things were racing through Willow’s mind, she didn’t know what to think, but somehow she managed to nod.

              “Wonderful,” Dr. Mayer stated as she stood up. Reaching into a cabinet, she pulled down a medical gown. “I just need for you to change into this for me. I’ll knock before I reenter.” Dr. Mayer looked at Geneva. “Will you be staying for the procedure?’

              “Yes,” Geneva responded without hesitation.

              “Great. If you’d like, you can step out with me or there’s a curtain right there. Pull it all the way around and it will give Willow the privacy she needs to change.”

              “Knowing my friend, she needs me to stay in here with her.”

              Dr. Mayer’s smiled widened. “Everyone could use a friend like you, Geneva. I’ll see you ladies in a few moments.”

              The second the door closed, Geneva stood and walked over to Willow.

              “How are you holding up?”

              Willow looked her friend in the eye. “I’m going to have a baby.”

              Geneva smiled. “I know. How do you feel about that?”

              “Nervous and panicked, but excited.”

              “That’s good. I know you’re going to be an excellent mother.”             

              Willow couldn’t hide her surprise. “You think so?”

              “I know so.”

              Willow felt a little lighter. There was still a lot that she was unsure about, but the one thing she was certain of was she wanted her baby. Instinctively, she placed her palm against her still flat stomach. There was a tiny life blooming within her. One that she would spend the rest of her life cherishing.

              “Now, I’ll let you have some privacy so that you can get undressed. I’m sure the doctor will be back any moment now.”

              Geneva stepped back and pulled the privacy curtain as Willow eased off of the examination table. A few moments later she let Geneva know that she was decent, a heartbeat before there was a knock on the door. Geneva pulled the curtain back as Willow called out for the doctor to enter.

              Dr. Mayer opened the door and walked in pushing a portable cart in with a machine on top. She turned the machine on.    

              “Go ahead and lay back on the table for me, Willow.” The doctor smiled at Geneva. “This is where it’s going to get interesting. Depending on how much you want to see I’ll tell you where to stand.”

              “I only want to see what’s going to come up on the monitor,” Geneva responded quickly.

              Dr. Mayer laughed. “I figured as much.”

              She walked over to a portable screen and placed it next to Geneva. Willow noticed that it left her best friend with the inability to see anything that was going on from the waist down.

              Unfortunately, Willow couldn’t say the same. Dr. Mayer washed and dried her hands before pulling on a pair of latex gloves. Then she began preparing the equipment. Willows eyes widened when the doctor picked up a wand-like object and placed a condom on it. When the lubrication followed, she stiffened.

              Geneva must have picked up on her discomfort, because she reached for her hand. “Willow, look at me. Everything is going to be fine.”

              Willow wasn’t so certain. She hadn’t realized that this ultrasound meant she was going to have an object stuck inside of her. She’d assumed the doctor was going to perform the procedure on her stomach.

              Dr. Mayer picked up on her discomfort as well. “Geneva is correct. This looks worse than it is. If you notice, the wand is relative slim. I promise you that the pressure you feel will be similar to that of what you’d feel during a normal pap smear.”

              That helped calm her a little, but the feeling didn’t last long when Dr. Mayer took a seat at the foot of the table.

              “Okay, Willow. I need you to put your feet in the stir-ups and scoot your bottom as close to the edge as you can for me.”

              Geneva let go of Willow’s hand long enough for her to follow the instructions.

              “Now, I want you to relax as much as you can for me. You’re going to feel a little pressure and some coldness from the lubrication. I can’t help that, but remaining calm will.”

              Willow closed her eyes, took a deep breath. As she released it, tension flowed from her body. Dr. Mayer took advantage of that state. Willow felt the cold wand slip inside of her but she did her best not to stiffen.

              “Good job, Willow. Now let’s see what we have going on here. You can go ahead and look at the screen now.”

              Willow opened her eyes and saw a black and white image there. She felt the doctor adjust the wand. Everything looks good so far and if you give me just a moment...ah...there your baby is. If you look right in the center of the screen you will see it. Based on what I see you are definitely five weeks. It’s too soon to hear the heartbeat, but we can give that a listen during your next appointment.”    

              Willow watched as the doctor made a few clicks of the mouse with her free hand, before removing the wand.

              “Okay. I’m finished, but before I have you get dressed, is there anything I need to examine?”

              “No,” Willow responded.

              “Then go ahead and get dressed. When I return, my assistant will come in and draw blood, then I’ll be back to speak with you about what to expect next.”

              As the doctor left the room again, Willow lay there with the realization that no matter what the doctor told her, there was no way she’d be completely prepared for what was to come.

Chapter Eleven

              The wait was finally over. Chase was coming home. Willow sat in a chair in a special waiting area at the Ft. Campbell AAF Airport. As always Geneva sat by her side. She didn’t know how she would have made it through the past six months without her. Geneva had always been there standing firm, especially when Willow had her moments of weakness.

              There had been many, especially when Chase had gone on special missions and hadn’t been able to contact her. Worrying about the safety of him and his soldiers had never been fun. While there had been no fatalities, several soldiers had been injured. She was just glad to have Chase back home.

              She placed a hand to her protruding stomach. Chase had been nothing but supportive since finding out she was pregnant with his child. She could still remember the expression on his face when she’d confirmed the pregnancy with him over video chat the night after her first doctor’s appointment. When she held up the photo of the sonogram, she would have sworn she saw a tear or two in his eyes. Soon after, she’d sent him a copy in the mail. He’d been so thrilled, he’d text her as soon as he’d received it.

              They’d also started a ritual where she’d sent him a photo of herself every week so that he could share the development of her pregnancy with him. There had been times when the distance that had separated them seemed non-existent and then there had been days when it seemed never ending.

              “Hey, I think Chase’s plane just landed,” Geneva stated.

              Willow looked up and realized her friend was right. She’d been so lost in thought that more time had passed than she’d thought. Other family members and friends in the area began to talk excitedly. Children who had drawn signs began to get them ready. A short time later servicemen and women begin appear.

              Geneva stood and helped Willow to her feet. As she waited for Chase to appear, Willow did her best not to fidget. What seemed like an eternity later, she finally spotted him. All the stress she’d carry since he’d left her kitchen early that morning six months ago seemed to evaporate.

              She touched Geneva. “There he is.”

              Geneva smiled when she spotted him. “Then what are you waiting for? Go get your man.”

              Willow waited until he was a few feet closer than began making her way toward him. The grin that appeared on his face when he spotted her was priceless. When he held his arms out for her, she moved as fast as her pregnant body would allow. The moment he encircled her within his embrace she burst into tears.

              He made a soothing sound. “Don’t cry, sweetheart.”

              She buried her face into his chest and tried to compose herself. He rubbed his hands up and down her back soothingly. His touch was so comforting that she didn’t want it to end. But all too soon, he pulled back. She wiped away her tears, knowing she looked a mess.

              “Let me see you.”

              She took a step back and allowed him to give her a once over. His grin widened when his gaze reached her stomach.

              “You look beautiful.”

              “Thank you,” she whispered.

              His genuine response made her feel good. As her pregnancy progressed some of the changes in her body were making her a little self-conscious. Chase had always been quick to tell her how beautiful she was during their video chats, but she’d just assumed he was being kind. Now she could tell he’d really meant what he’d said.

              As happy as that made her, what topped it all was that Chase was home.

* * * *

              Chase couldn’t believe how good it felt to have Willow near him. Pregnancy agreed with her. She was absolutely radiant. Seeing her round with his child did something to him on a primitive level. Made him want to do everything in his power to make sure she was protected at all times. He squatted down in front of her until he was eye level with her stomach. Then he glanced up at her.

              “May I?”

              She gave a brief nod. “Of course.”

              He touched her stomach lovingly, before leaning in to place a brief kiss against it. Then he straightened back to his full height and pulled her into his arms again.

              “And now it’s time to greet you properly.”

              Confusion flickered across her expression. “What do you mean?”

              Instead of responding, he framed her face with his hands and pressed his mouth softly to hers. The instant their lips met, melded, everything else faded away. This, in the midst of the chaos of the happy reunions going on around them, felt right. There was no punch of lust, no spiral of need, no molten fire pushing through his blood. In place of all of that was a warmth; steady and true.

              He didn’t understand it. But standing here, kissing her, simply felt right. She had to feel it, too. He watched her light brown eyes darken as he changed the angle of the kiss. And she trembled.

              This was so different. That was the one thought that hadn’t fuzzed over in his mind. He’d kissed her softly before, but the tenderness was new.

              Even as he deepened the kiss, very slowly, there was nothing demanding about it. In its place was a silent request. He planned to take their relationship to a whole new level if she would allow him to. And she melted molecule by molecule until it was as if he could feel her heart, her soul, her dreams, desires, all seeping from her to him.

              When she’d surrendered everything, there was nothing left but a soft, drowsy warmth.

              He was home.

              Chase had no idea how long they stood there. All he was certain of was that he wanted the moment to go on and on. Judging by the fact that Willow hadn’t withdrawn from him, she clearly felt the same.

              It was the sound of someone clearing their throat that brought them both back to reality. Even then, it wasn’t until the person cleared their throat again that they each drew back. When he was able to focus, he realized it was Geneva. She stood there with an amused look on her face.

              “Welcome home soldier.”

              “Thank you. I hope you don’t mind if I give you a hug.”

              “I’d be offended if you didn’t.”

              He pulled Geneva into a brief hug before releasing her. “Thank you for everything you’ve done over the past six months. I am forever in your debt.”

              Geneva shook her head. “Just keep her happy and we’ll call it even.” She glanced quickly at her cell phone. “I hate to rush, but I have a date to get ready for.”

              Willow leaned over to embrace her friend. “Thank you for bringing me. Have fun tonight. Are you coming to the doctor’s appointment on Monday?”

              Geneva shook her head. “No, that’s you and Chase time, now. However, I expect a call from you telling me all about it.”

              Willow smiled. “I will. I’ll talk to you soon.”

              “Not too soon, I hope. You and Chase have some catching up to do,” Geneva responded with a wink.”

              Chase chuckled as he watched Geneva walk away. Then he looked over at Willow. “Are you ready to go?”

              “Yes.”

              “I just need to get my duffel bag and—”

              “Ackers!”

              Chase stopped speaking at the sound of his friend calling his name. He turned and spotted Kenny walking toward him with his wife. When the couple was near them, Chase drew Willow closer to him.

              “Hey, I was hoping I’d catch you before you left,” Kenny stated. “I wanted a chance to meet the lovely woman I’ve heard so much about the past few months.”

              Chase grinned. “Willow, this is Kenny Dozier, a good friend of mine, and his wife, Hanna. Kenny, Hanna, this is Willow.”

              Willow extended her hand. “It’s nice to meet you both. Glad to have you back home safe, Kenny.”

              “Thank you,” Kenny replied.

              “It’s nice to meet you as well,” Hanna stated. “I hope you don’t mind me saying this, but pregnancy agrees with you. Do you know what you’re having?”

              “Not yet. I have a doctor’s appointment on Monday to find out.”

              Chase chuckled under his breath. Willow could have found out last month, but she’d been adamant about having him there so they could find out at the same time. So she’d undergone what he was certain was the most unorthodox sonogram last month. Willow had worn earplugs and kept her eyes closed during the sonogram. The doctor had simply made sure their child was developing on schedule. Still, he appreciated the sacrifice Willow had made and he was not afraid to admit that he was anxious.   

              “Well, we won’t keep the two of you. Hopefully we can have you over one weekend for dinner or we can meet up somewhere?”

              Chase looked at Willow for confirmation, who smiled and nodded. “Sounds like a plan. We’ll see what works once everyone gets settled.”

              “Okay. We’ll see you guys later.”

              Kenny took his wife’s hand and began to head to the baggage claim area. Chase gathered Willow close.

              “Are you ready?”

              “Yes, my feet are starting to kill me.”

              Chase frowned in concern. “Come on then. I don’t want you uncomfortable.”

              Willow chuckled. “Newsflash Chase. I’m pregnant. The days of being comfy are long gone.”

              He smiled in response, but quickly started formulating a plan to prove her wrong. Considering the fact that she was carrying their child it was the least he could do.