a little strained. “They just ran some tests and did an ultrasound. She said they’re gonna come back with the results.”
“Are you feeling better now?” The worry in his eyes tugs at my heartstrings.
“Actually, yeah.” I meet his gaze, letting the unexpected comfort of his presence wrap around me like a warm blanket. “Definitely better.”
“All right.” Noah stands up and brushes off his pants. “I’m gonna go get some coffee. I’ll be back.” He flicks his brows, giving me a semi-obvious look and heading out of the hospital room.
Matt crouches down and sits on the edge of the chair where Noah was, keeping my hand in his. “I got here as fast as I could.”
“Matt, you really didn’t have to come. You’re preparing to play in the Super Bowl. It’s not like you were just…” I laugh softly and shake my head. “At work or something.”
“I mean…” He lifts a broad shoulder, his white T-shirt clinging to the pumped muscles in his arms. “I was kinda at work. In a way.”
I roll my eyes and shove him a little, still feeling wound up and nervous, but with a certain level of okay-ness that wasn’t here before.
“Seriously, Ellie, what do you think is wrong?”
He swallows and leans close to me, his brows furrowed in concern and his lips slightly parted.
“I really don’t know. I promise I’m not a huge baby when it comes to pain, either. I wouldn’t have come here if it wasn’t genuinely bad.”
He shuts his eyes. “You’re not making me feel better.”
“I know. But it isn’t nearly as excruciating as it was before. Maybe it was just some sort of passing cramp or something.”
Or something.
I can’t even really let my head go to that place. The place where something happens to the baby. Where all of this craziness, this wildly unexpected but sort of magical adventure, is gone the second that doctor walks into the room with some sort of negative result.
My gut twists.
“Everything’s okay. I’m sure everything’s okay.” He leans close and presses his lips to my forehead, and for some reason that I can’t truly understand, a tear slips out of my eye and falls down my cheek.
“Ms. Vice?”
My heart practically stops as the doctor comes back into the room, clipboard in hand.
Matt jumps away and stands up eagerly. “Hey, Doctor. I’m—”
“I know who you are!” The doctor laughs and draws back, shaking his head in disbelief. “You’re the Riders’ new QB. You’re on your way to the Super Bowl in two weeks.”
Matt laughs a little and glances back at me, his eyes giving me another wave of reassurance and calm. “Yeah, that’s me. It’s great to meet you.”
“I’m Dr. Brown.” He shakes Matt’s hand firmly and gestures toward me. “Wow. It’s not every day I have a starting NFL player and a Vice come into my hospital. Together. Wait a second. Didn’t the Vices just buy the team…” His voice trails off as Dr. Curious starts to put some puzzle pieces together.
“Yeah, funny world, isn’t it? Doc, is Ellie okay?” Matt asks quickly. “Is the baby okay?”
“You’re the father?” The doctor still looks a little shocked and maybe a bit starstruck. Which, despite my current fears and anxiety, makes me even more wildly attracted to Matt. “I can’t disclose information to anyone who isn’t—”
“Yes.” Matt nods. “I’m the dad.”
“All right.” Dr. Brown is clearly trying his best, and failing, to hide his fascination with the massive piece of juicy South Florida gossip he’s witnessing firsthand. “This baby is healthy and well. Ellie, it looks like you were just experiencing, well…some gas.”
Relief and happiness wash over me, and a joyful laugh bubbles through my chest. “Oh God. Seriously?”
“Yes.” Dr. Brown chuckles. “And we can prescribe you something for gas cramps in the future. They’re relatively common during pregnancy.”
Matt breathes out a long sigh, letting his head fall back and laughing into his palms. “You’re the man, Doc. Thank you.”
“Anytime.” He smiles and looks back and forth between Matt and me. “You two can breathe easy. About the pregnancy, anyway.” He points a finger at Matt. “In regards to the Patriots, on the other hand, I want to see them absolutely demolished.”
“Just for you, Dr. Brown.” Matt grins.
“I’m gonna go ahead and have the ultrasound tech come in and do an ultrasound with you, since you’re here and probably want to see the healthy baby.”
Matt and I look at each other and smile. My chest feels light and happy, and everything in me wants to just fold