Page 33 of Mate Match: Curtis & Jae
Our appointment was at a new midwife led clinic highly recommended by Brady. He’d looked into services in the area for me. Some would see it as an overstep. I just liked how investedhe was in the baby. We’d decided not to go to the one he’d taken me to after the alpha incident. The vibe was off with the place and I couldn’t get the memory of Brady’s face out of my mind. No, that place was tainted. This one had good energy.
I handed the pot to the midwife, Erika. She was a tall, black woman, with her hair artfully styled in braids, and a gentle aura about her. As soon as I met her, I felt at ease, even if it was when I was handing her a pee sample.
“Nice to meet you both. I’ll be the primary midwife for your care. I also take on call shifts at the center. However, I can’t promise I’ll be the one for your labor. It all depends on when that happens, okay?” We both nodded. She took the sample and put these sticks in it. “Can I ask how long ago your heat was?”
“Eight weeks,” I answered.
“Exciting! Your hormone levels look right. Sugars are okay. I’ll have to check your iron. How long have you been together?”
“Eight weeks,” Curtis said with a laugh. “Long story.”
Erika smiled at us both. “Well, I couldn’t have guessed it was only two months. You’re cute together.” We muttered our thanks, both a little embarrassed. Our love story was irregular for sure. One day we’d tell our grandkids it with pride.
Erika took my blood pressure, pricked my finger to get my iron, then palpated my abdomen.
“All is looking good here. I want you to pick up a pregnancy vitamin—“"
“I’m taking one.”
“Alright, that’s good. Maybe up your iron intake then, since it’s lower than I’d like. Make sure you’re getting plenty of folic acid. It is important for fetal development. Do you have questions?”
“Should we be abstaining….?” I managed to get out suddenly irrationally worried I was doing everything wrong. I thought the vitamins would be enough.
“No need. Your baby is well protected in there. Now, I’m not saying I recommend sexual gymnastics,” she laughed, “but the hormones and pheromones are great for both you and the baby, as well as regular sex, keeping you bonded as a couple.” Erika paused. “Curtis, do you mind stepping out to get Jae some water? I think the heat in the room is getting to him.”
I was feeling slightly warm. With a squeeze of my hand, Curtis left the room.
“Sorry, I hate to lie. I just need to check your mental state. Are you doing this of your free will? How is Curtis at home? I see you live together.”
“Oh, um…” I felt completely flabbergasted. “Everything’s fine. Curtis is amazing.”
“Perfect,” Erika said, leaning forward to take my hands. “Thought so, but it’s part of my checks. If anything changes, just give me a sign and I’ll get you whatever help you need.”
“Thanks for checking.”
“My iron…”
“Isn’t bad. Could be better and growing a baby is hard. Have you had a lot of sickness?”
“Yeah, it’s getting better. I just thought the vitamins would be enough.”
“If you eat a varied diet and take the vitamins, you should be fine. I didn’t mean to scare you. It’s my job to ensure your health while carrying this baby.”
Her words made me feel better. “Thank you.”
“You’re welcome. I’m just going to type up my notes while we wait for your man.”
The room was warm. I was grateful that it wasn’t long before Curtis knocked and returned with a cup of water for me. I practically gulped it down. “Thank you,” I whispered to him.
He kissed the top of my head. “Anything for you.”
“Well, congratulations to you both,” Erika said when she finished typing on her computer. “Everything looks okay, so we’ll see you for your scan at twelve weeks, okay?”
I couldn’t wait to see our baby.
Nerves filled me, waking me much earlier than usual. Far worse than before I met his employees. Not that I had anything to worry about. The house was clean and ready for our visitors without me lifting a finger. Curtis had made me sit and watch him clean because the stress made my sickness flare up. Most days I was fine as long as I ate little and often. If I was worried, I was sure to throw up.
“Hey, don’t worry. It’ll be fine. They’ll love you,” Curtis reassured me. “Come on, let’s shower together before they come.”
