Page 155 of Savior
CHAPTER TWENTY-ONE
DEAN
“Are you sure you want to know?” Vanna’s doctor glances at us both. “This can be one of life’s greatest surprises! And gender reveal parties are all the rage!”
“I already know.” Vanna smiles at me, before she looks back at her doctor. “It’s really just confirmation.”
The doctor looks at me once more, as if to make absolutely certain.
“She’s the boss.” I reply, holding Vanna’s hand a little tighter now. I’ve been in a state of anxiousness since we possibly swiped Legion’s prints. And although this most recent blood test confirms Vanna’s levels are all within a healthy range now, I will never not be concerned about her wellbeing. A lifetime of hardship has programed me to always anticipate and brace for the worst.
“Well then,” the Lady Doc smiles at us, “congratulations on your little boy!”
Vanna’s squeal of delight rings out in the small room. I zero in on her reaction, attempting to decipher the rolling waves of emotions I’m feeling in this moment. My heart is racing as if it might beat out of my chest.
The Lady Doc excuses herself from the room to give us a moment, and I’m glad for it. I may just pass the fuck out…
“You called it.” I manage to say.
“Actually, you did.” Vanna’s excitement still lingers in her tone. “Don’t you remember? The night I told you, you said you didn’t want to do anything to dislodge him.”
“Oh… right… Guess I did.” I swallow hard, staring at her exposed stomach for a moment, before I look into her searching dark eyes.
“Is something wrong?” she asks.
“Fuck no… I’m just… I don’t know… This just got really… fuckingreal…”
She giggles at me. Of course she does. “Are you happy? You’re having a son.”
I nod. “He’s gonna love you, so fucking much, Vanna.”
She reaches over to touch my face. “He’s going to love you, too. You’re going to be an amazing father, Dean.” She says the words as if she knows I need the reassurance. As if she believes them, herself. “You already are.”
Am I? Fuck… All I can offer her is a smile.
When the Doc returns, Vanna asks for the updated print out of Ace’s sonogram, and gives me one to have as well.
“Dean, would you mind giving the Doctor and I a moment alone?” she asks.
Her question catches me off guard. I stare at her, trying to read her expression. She’s smiling, but it isn’t reaching her eyes.
“I would, actually… What could you possibly have to discuss that wouldn’t be of concern to me?”
“Mr. Keegan,” the lady Doc attempts to interject on Vanna’s behalf.
I raise my hand to silence her. “Yeah, hang on.” I don’t want to hear shit from her right now. I keep my focus on Vanna. She knows I’m not going anywhere. “Vanna, what is this?”
“Alright… I just didn’t want to worry you.” She says.
“Too late.”
Vanna turns back to the Doctor. “Should I be showing more?” she asks. “I know you said he’s measuring normal, but… shouldn’t my belly be bigger by now? This bump is so easy to disguise and I’m right around four and a half months...I look like I have a little gas… Not a baby… Is he really progressing normally?”
She sounds worried. I take her hand in mine, wondering why she’s never voiced these concerns to me? Why she wouldn’t confide in me and internalize something like this? But I keep my mouth shut and shift my attention to the Doctor.
“In your case, you have a tilted uterus, which means the baby is growing inward, and generally takes longer to show this way. It’s perfectly normal.” The Doctor smiles at her, leaning slightly forward, as if her posture might reinforce her words. “You could be well into your fifth month, before your pregnancy is noticeable. There are women who aren’t obvious until seven months. It all depends on our bodies. You have nothing to worry about. Your uterus will eventually tip forward and grow outwardly.” The Doc straightens as Vanna lets out a sigh of relief. “One day you’ll wake up, and it will seem like you grew over night!” she adds with a little chuckle, “And then you’ll be upset because nothing fits!”
“As long as he’s healthy and safe in there.” Vanna says, placing her hand on her little bump.
