looks like it’s zooming in and out on the screen at first until she slows her movement, and the picture becomes something discernible.
“There you are little one,” she says as my eyes fill with tears while I’m watching the screen.
“Wow,” Elliot breathes from beside me. “That’s our baby Paige.”
I nod my head, beaming. “It’s beautiful!”
The technician moves the transducer around my stomach and shows us different part of our baby's body. It's moving around so much, and I can’t believe I can’t feel it more than I do, I only get fluttery feelings – like butterflies in my stomach. When she finishes taking the necessary measurements, she turns to us and asks us if we’d like to know the sex.
Elliot and I look at each other, unsure how to respond, “Should it be a surprise?” I ask him.
He looks unsure but says, “Yeah; I think a surprise would be best.”
“Ok? You’re sure?” I check.
“Yes, we’ll wait.”
Elliot
I'm on a complete high right now. I just saw my baby on the screen, and it’s perfect. Everything seems fine, the baby’s healthy. Paige is healthy. I’m on cloud nine. We’re walking out of the ultrasound area together with our printed strip of photos in hand. You can clearly see the baby’s face, hands, and feet. It’s so amazing to me that the baby in this picture is inside Paige’s body right now.
We walk arm in arm to the elevator bay and travel down to another floor. Because of Paige’s upbringing, she is a risk for pre and post natal depression, so it was recommended that she see a counsellor throughout her pregnancy and the early months after the birth. She booked her session to start shortly after the ultrasound, so we’re heading to the waiting area for that. After she is called in, I have plenty of time to sit and think while I wait for her.
A week ago, I was in Australia, pining away for Paige and praying that she’ll still be in love with me and this week – I have everything I wanted and more. I can’t believe I’m going to be a father. I didn’t think I was ready for kids, but with Paige – I want everything.
I’m so glad that she’s getting counselling now. I'm not so glad that her mother is in her life – I harbour more than a bit of resentment towards her over the way she treated Paige but if Paige wants to have a relationship with her, then I’m supportive of that - especially considering they are all in counselling together. It gives me great hope that everything is going to work out for us.
Chapter 35
Paige
“Elliot,” I whisper, rocking him by the shoulder to wake him, “Elliot; it's time.”
Lifting his sleep laden head from the pillow, he looks over at the clock on the bedside table and scrunches up his face, “No it’s not, I’ve got hours before I have to be at work,” he complains, rolling onto his back and closing his eyes again. I watch him as he runs his hands over the top of his head, over the short clipped hair that I cut only yesterday.
Suddenly, his eyes pop open, and he sits bolt upright in bed, “Wait! What?! It’s time? It’s time time?” he rambles, throwing the quilt off him and jumping out of bed. He places his hands on either side of my enormous belly and looks at me intently, “Are you sure?”
“My waters broke and I’m having contractions. I've called the hospital, and they’re expecting us.”
“Oh my god! This is really happening isn’t it?” he says, freaking out a little as he pulls on the pants and shirt I’m holding out to him. “Why are you so calm?” he asks me.
“I’m not calm Elliot. I'm about to have a giant baby come out of my vagina. I’m about as far from calm as I can be right now,” I answer tonelessly. I actually think I’m in shock a little.
Elliot
I carry Paige’s bag and hold her hand as we walk carefully down the two flights of stairs to get to the car. A contraction hits her when we’re only a few steps away, I have no idea what to do right now except rub her back and talk softly to her until the pain ebbs away, and her face softens again.
“Ok?” I ask, checking that she’s fine to continue to the car. She nods quickly and I guide her to the passenger side, dropping her bag on the