Twenty-six

Three 3 weeks later

I watch as Corey flip pancakes over the stove. The house smells like maple syrup. I have a doctor's appointment today for my first prenatal checkup.

The pancakes taste so delicious. I am sure it's all the pregnancy cravings, but my appetite has been off the charts. Corey puts the fluffy pancake on my plate.

"Are you nervous about the appointment today?" he asks me.

I shake my head. "I am excited."

"Me too," he agrees.

******

Soon, the school bus takes Jen to school. I find myself packing my bag for my appointment. I load it with tons of snacks. Of course, Corey shakes his head at me.

We move towards the front door. At the exact moment I go to open the door, I hear a knock on the other side of it. Who in the world could that be?

I push the door open, and my mouth drops open at the sight.

"Mom?"

She looks so nervous, which isn't like herself.

"Adam told me you were pregnant, I guess I was coming to see if it was true," she looks at my belly.

I nod. "I am actually on my way to my first appointment."

"Oh." She says.

I step out the door with Corey behind me. He is quiet. I wonder if my mom makes him uncomfortable.

"How about I stop by later today so we can talk," she tells me.

"That'd be great."

She smiles before turning laway. I watch as she gets into her car, which clearly didn't fit into the lifestyle here.

"You alright?" Corey asks me once we were driving down the road toward my appointment.

"Yeah, she's probably thinking I ruined my life just like Adam."

Corey chuckles. "Their opinions don't matter."

I nod. "Well, my mom is going to be this baby's grandparent. Is our daughter or son going to have no grandma in their life?"

"Probably not, but he or she will have so much love from us that it doesn't even matter," he tells me.

I smile.

Hours later, Corey pulls into the OBGYN. I was glad they don't seem overly busy. Once inside, the smell of cleanliness and fresh bleach gives me a headache. I take a juice box out of my bag.

"Sadie." A nurse calls my name.

We both arise from our chairs. Standing up, I began to feel nervous. Corey wraps his arm around my waist, and then I began to relax knowing that he is here with me.

We both sit in the chair in the room.

"The appointment will be for intake, we will get a good idea of how far along we think you are," the nurse tells me.

I nod.

"When was your last known period? She asks.

"About a month-and-a-half ago."

"Can you remember a specific date?" She asks.

I shake my head. "Sorry."

"That's okay," she assures me.

"Is this your first pregnancy and first baby?" she asks.

I nod.

"Do you rent or own your home?" She asks.

I look over at Corey. It was technically his home.

"Own." He responds.

"Is this your first child?" she asks Corey.

"My biological yes, but I have custody of my sister," he remarks.

"Oh okay." The nurse smiles.

Finally, after all the questions were over, we got to listen to the heartbeat. The nurse puts the slimy jelly all over my stomach. It feels so cool and sticky. She runs the heartbeat monitor over my stomach. Soon I hear the most magical sound that I've ever heard, the thump of a tiny little heartbeat.

I look over at Corey, I love seeing the joy on his face. My heart is so happy. I am so lucky.

"You are about 10 to 12 weeks along. When the baby is bigger, we will be able to do an ultrasound. We would have a more accurate date," the nurse tells me.

I smile. I can't wait to see my baby.

Once I get home I lay on the couch while Corey makes some pizzas for lunch. We both took off work today for the appointment, and I was glad we get to spend some time together.