Chapter Ten: A Sudden Change of Plans
1275 Words
Monday morning arrives with a sense of quiet urgency. I wake earlier than usual, my mind already racing with the thought of Ryan and the decision I’ve made. Today, I’m going to call him and invite him to the doctor’s appointment. It’s a step I need to take, not just for myself but for the baby. If Ryan wants to be involved, this will be his first real opportunity to show it. But still, the nerves twist inside me. What if he backs out? What if he doesn’t show up?
After taking a deep breath, I pick up my phone and scroll through my contacts until I land on Ryan’s name. My finger hovers over it for a moment before I press call. The line rings once, twice, and then I hear his voice.
"Tess?" His tone is surprised but warm, a mixture of curiosity and hope. "I wasn’t expecting your call."
"Hi," I reply, suddenly feeling awkward. "I wanted to talk to you about something... I’ve been thinking a lot about our conversation."
There’s a pause on his end. I can practically feel him holding his breath, waiting for what I’ll say next.
"I have a doctor’s appointment this afternoon," I continue, trying to sound casual even though my heart is pounding. "It was supposed to be tomorrow, but they moved it up. I thought maybe... if you wanted to, you could come. I understand if you can’t, with such short notice......"
Ryan cuts me off, his voice firm. "I’ll be there. I’m dropping everything."
I blink, surprised by how quickly he responded. "You don’t have to........"
"No, Tess," he says, his voice softening but full of conviction. "I want to be there. This is important."
A warmth spreads through my chest, a tentative sense of relief mixing with lingering uncertainty. "Okay," I whisper. "Thank you."
For a moment, neither of us speaks, and in the silence, I can feel the gravity of the situation between us. This is more than just an appointment. It’s the first step toward something, whether it’s reconciliation, co-parenting, or something else, I don’t know yet. But it feels significant.
"I’ll meet you at the clinic," I say, breaking the silence. "It’s at 2:30."
"Got it. I’ll be there," Ryan replies. "See you soon, Tess."
As I hang up the phone, I feel a mix of emotions, relief that he’s coming, anxiety about what this means, and a small glimmer of hope that maybe, just maybe, things could turn out differently this time.
The hours pass by in a blur. Before I know it, I’m sitting in the waiting room of the clinic, my hands resting on my rounded belly. The faint hum of voices and the soft shuffle of footsteps are the only sounds, but inside, my nerves are buzzing. I glance at the clock, 2:20. Ryan should be here any minute.
Just as the thought crosses my mind, the door to the waiting room opens, and there he is. Ryan strides in, looking a little out of breath but determined, his eyes searching the room until they land on me. Our gazes lock, and for a moment, I see something in his expression that I haven’t seen in a long time, something genuine, something that makes my heart squeeze just a little.
He walks over, his voice gentle. "Tess."
"Hi," I say, managing a small smile. "You made it."
"I told you I would," he replies, his eyes softening as he looks at me. "I wouldn’t miss this for anything."
Before I can respond, the nurse calls my name, and we both stand. Ryan falls into step beside me as we follow her into the exam room. It’s a small space, cozy and clinical at the same time, with soft lighting and medical equipment neatly arranged. I sit down on the padded examination table, and Ryan pulls a chair up next to me, his hand brushing mine for the briefest of moments. The touch is fleeting, but it sends a wave of emotion through me that I wasn’t prepared for.
The doctor enters a few moments later, greeting us warmly. "Tess, good to see and you must be Ryan” the doctor looks at Ryan who responds with a nod of acknowledgment.
“How are we feeling?"
"Good," I manage to say, glancing at Ryan, who nods in agreement.
"Great. Let’s check on the baby, shall we?" The doctor smiles, preparing the ultrasound machine. "We’re going to take a good look today. Are you ready to find out the s*x of your baby?"
I feel a flutter of excitement in my chest. This is the moment, the one I’ve been both anticipating and dreading. I glance at Ryan, whose face is a mixture of nervousness and excitement.
"Yes," I say, my voice barely above a whisper. "We’re ready."
I get on the examination couch and get comfortable. The doctor applies the cool gel to my belly, and soon enough, the familiar sound of the baby’s heartbeat fills the room. It’s a steady, reassuring rhythm, and I feel a swell of emotion. Ryan grips the edge of the examination couch, his eyes fixed on the monitor as the grainy image of our baby comes into view.
"Everything looks great," the doctor says, her voice filled with warmth. "And it looks like you’re having… a little girl."
A girl.
My breath catches in my throat, and for a moment, I can’t speak. Ryan, too, seems momentarily stunned, his eyes wide as he stares at the screen. Then, slowly, a smile spreads across his face, a real, genuine smile that reaches his eyes.
"A girl," he whispers, his voice thick with emotion. He looks at me, his gaze soft and full of wonder. "Tess… we’re having a daughter."
I nod, my throat too tight with emotion to speak. A daughter. Suddenly, everything feels even more real. The weight of what we’re doing, of the life we’re bringing into the world, settles over us in a way that’s both beautiful and overwhelming.
Ryan reaches for my hand, his fingers lacing through mine. It’s a simple gesture, but it feels significant. For the first time in a long time, I feel a connection between us that goes beyond the past and the hurt. In this moment, it’s just the two of us and our daughter.
The doctor continues to check the baby’s progress, but I’m barely listening. All I can think about is the life growing inside me, the little girl we’re going to raise, and the man standing beside me, who is finally here finally present.
When the appointment ends, we step out into the afternoon sun, the world around us feeling brighter, more hopeful. Ryan turns to me, his face full of emotion. "Thank you, Tess," he says quietly. "Thank you for letting me be a part of this. I can’t tell you how much it means to me."
I look up at him, the warmth of the sun on my face. "I’m glad you came," I say honestly. "This is just the beginning, Ryan. We still have a long way to go."
"I know," he replies, his eyes filled with determination. "And I’m not going anywhere. I promise you that."
For the first time in what feels like forever, I believe him. We may not know what the future holds, but in this moment, there’s a sense of possibility, of hope. And as we walk to the parking lot together, side by side, I can’t help but feel that maybe, just maybe things will be okay.
We’re having a daughter, and whatever happens next, we’ll face it together.
- Writer
