Dr. Farriday arrived minutes later. She took one look at Ash and pointed at the stool in the corner. “Dr. Carmichael. Sit there for me.” She was all smiles for Renata. “Congratulations, Renata. I was surprised to see your name on my patient schedule today.”
“We’re all surprised.” Renata was smiling, teasing even.
While Ash was trying not to hyperventilate.
“Well, the bloodwork looks good so far. Numbers are where they need to be.” Dr. Farriday was skimming over her chart. “In case you were wondering, you are pregnant.”
Renata’s laugh was surprised.
Ash couldn’t. A thousand pounds of pressure seemed to be resting on his chest, threatening to crush him at any second. “How’s everything else?” he asked. “She’s healthy?” He was up, at her side, taking her hand in his. “No concerns. No need for more tests or scans? What, exactly, did her bloodwork show?”
“Am I missing something? Renata?” Dr. Farriday shook her head. “Is there a reason I should be concerned?”
Renata was looking at him—he could feel it. “No.”
“Good. I’m not. Her bloodwork is perfect. There’s no reason to worry.” Dr. Farriday smiled. “She’s young and strong, Dr. Carmichael. You make sure she gets plenty of rest and she’s eating whatever she can keep down and this will be over before you know it.” She winked at Renata. “And then the real fun begins.”
Renata was squeezing Ash’s hand. She was offering him support—the exact opposite of what she needed.
“You take care of her, she’ll take care of the baby.” Dr. Farriday was looking at him, waiting. “Believe me, you have the easier job.”
In other words, pull it together. She was fine. She was healthy. And she needed him. Breathing was easier. “I can do that,” he said, nodding.
Ash watched as Dr. Farriday lay Renata back, put a healthy dollop of gel on her stomach and pulled out a high-power stethoscope. “We’re listening for heartbeats. You’ll hear two. Mom, yours will be slower. The faster one is the baby.”
Renata’s grip tightened and her eyes locked with his. They shone with pure excitement. And it was contagious. When the rapid thump-thump filled the room, Ash’s heart rate picked up, too.
“That’s it?” she whispered, covering her smile with her hand. “That’s the baby.”
Their baby’s heartbeat was strong and steady.
“Perfect,” Dr. Farriday confirmed.
Renata laughed softly, so damn beautiful his chest hurt. He wiped away the tears that slipped from the corners of her eyes.
“Huh.” Dr. Farriday moved the stethoscope, pressing a little harder. “Hold on. Well, it seems the Boone tradition continues.” Dr. Farriday chuckled. “That, right there, is a third heartbeat.”
“Two?” Renata whispered, her grip all but crushing his.
Two. He swallowed. Twins. They were going to have twins. And, terrified or not, she needed him. He smiled down at her, smoothing the hair from her forehead. “Go big or go home, right?” He winked.
“I like your way of thinking, Dr. Carmichael.” Dr. Farriday pulled an ultrasound cart around, flipped on the monitor. The heartbeats disappeared, leaving the room oddly quiet. “Let’s see what we can see.”
But Ash focused on Renata. Twins. Did that increase her risk? More questions started forming. Questions that could wait, for the time being. He pulled a chair to her side and sat, doing his best to enjoy the moment—to savor this time. It would be easier if he could forget how terribly wrong Shanna’s first prenatal appointment had gone.
“Looks good.” Dr. Farriday was pointing at the screen. “There’s baby one.” She clicked on the keyboard. “And there’s baby two.” More clicks. “I’ll take a few pictures for you. And I’ll make a disc for you to take home, too.” She sat back, wiping the gel from Renata’s stomach. “Questions?”
“Twins?” Ash asked. “What sort of risks are there?”
Dr. Farriday nodded. “No more than any other pregnancy, really.”
“Delivery? Pre-term? Higher mortality rates?” He swallowed.
Dr. Farriday studied Ash. “You’re worried about her. That’s normal. But Renata is going to come through this. And the babies. Well, twins come early, but that’s expected. I’ll keep a close eye on her. If we’re lucky, she’ll go into labor on her own and deliver without any complications. If there are any complications, we’ll be ready.” She leaned forward. “But that’s a ways down the road yet. She’s healthy. The babies are healthy. Questions are good but worrying her isn’t. Try to relax.”
Good advice. If only he could listen to it.
“She’s going to need you to take care of her. Little things like reminding her to get plenty of sleep, to eat a balanced diet, get some exercise—but not overdo it. It helps.”