Page 74 of The Dare

It’s also instantly clear that Michael’s not budging when the doctor wants to examine me.

“Alright, Mike. No need to blow a gasket,” the doctor smiles. “I just usually don’t examine my patientswithan audience.”

Michael grips my hand gently, keeping his eyes on mine the whole time.

The doctor asks a million questions, and finally takes some blood, but he says he doesn’t think it’s anything too serious.

It must be over two hours before we see the doctor again, who apologizes for keeping us waiting.

“Pile up on the interstate… We got a crazy full ER right now,” he explains, but takes the time to settle himself on the edge of the examination table I’m lying on.

“Just tell me what’s wrong with her, doc?” Michael asks impatiently. Annoyed when the doctor smiles to himself.

“I don’t think there’s anything wrong with you, Natasha,” he says, letting his smile grow wide.

“In fact, I’d say congratulations are in order. You're going to be a mommy, is all,” he says, chuckling with excitement as we both let out sounds of shock and amazement.

“I’d say you're around two months. The pain you felt is actually a little gas which is pretty common in pregnant women. Nothing to worry about,” he adds, shaking Michael’s hand and congratulating me again.

Once he goes over a few things and makes some more appointments for me at the local clinic, our doctor gets called away, leaving just Michael and me.

Plus the baby makes three.

“It must’ve been that first time,” Michael says, convinced it was when I conceived.

I don’t disagree with him, but it’s hard to know for sure.

Everything about that first time, and every time since has been so special.

Everything’s just been perfect. Now we’re gonna have a family of our own.

A place of our own too.

Us.

Driving back after I’m given the all-clear, Michael takes the exit to the city, and I moan to myself. Not really wanting to go anywhere but home and maybe even to bed for a nap.

“It’s gotta be done. I was just waiting for the right time,” Michael mutters to himself.

“What needs to be done?” I ask, tired and maybe a little cranky despite all the excitement.

“I won’t have our babies coming into the world without a proper mommy and a daddy, officially,” he says, tone firm.

“Uh. It’s like three o’clock, Michael. I don’t think the baby’s coming out anytime soon.” I drone back to him, making him chuckle as he tries to keep a serious expression.

We drive in silence and feeling the beginnings of a headache I rest my eyes, my fingers massaging my temples before we stop.

Opening my eyes I let them adjust to the light.

“Where are we?” I ask sleepily, reaching over and patting Michael’s huge shoulder by way of silent apology for being snappy with him.

“Shopping,” he says with a quick smile, motioning for me to stay put while he comes around to open my door and help me out.

I’m suddenly made of glass now that he knows I’m pregnant.

With my hand in his, I let him take the lead, freezing mid-step when I see where he’s taking me.

“Michael?” I ask, feeling my knees grow weak, a few spots dancing before my eyes.