Page 21 of Hot Shot

“Alright, let’s see if we’ve got a cooperative patient today. Baby is measuring perfectly, and I don’t see any anomalies.”

I exhale as relief pours over me. I hadn’t realized how nervous I was about that.

“Okay so what we’re looking for here is a noticeable equal sign indicates a girl and then that,” the doctor laughs, pointing at the screen, “is your son’s penis. Congratulations you’re having a boy.”

“You were right,” Max says.

“The mother often knows,” the doctor says. He wipes the jelly off my stomach, then begins to prep the wand.

When he’s rolling the “condom” down on it, Max goes still beside me.

“What are you going to do with that?”

The doctor looks up. “Exactly what you’re thinking over there, young man. I need to get a close up look at Charlie’s cervix to make sure everything is good there.”

Max looks horrified, but continues to stand next to me, holding my hand.

“Okay, everything looks great. You keep doing what you’re doing, Charlie. Walk when you can and drink plenty of water. Keep sticking to the low sodium diet as well.”

I nod.

The doctor pats Max on the arm. “You should definitely take her out for a nice meal now. Y’all have reason to celebrate.”

“Thank you, doctor,” Max says.

Once we’re left alone, Max leans down to my head again. “Holy shit, that was terrifying. How have you been doing this all alone?”

“I haven’t been completely alone. I have Brendan and our sister, Chelsea.” I hold my hand out. “Help me up.”

He does and the sheet falls to the floor.

“I feel like I’ve been slimed,” I mutter, wiping more of the goop off of me. I quickly dress, then leave. After scheduling my next appointment, we leave the office together.

chapter

eleven

Max

We’re quiet as we leave the office. My mind is still reeling with everything that happened in that room. How only half an hour can irrevocably change you in so many ways.

Then she’d had to undress. Not completely, but enough so I could see her from the waist down. It wasn’t a sexual moment. Instead, it just felt intimate in a way I’ve never experienced before.

Yes, seeing my child nestled so perfectly in Charlotte’s body was profound. Kinda made me feel like a caveman too, but I’m trying to ignore those feelings at the moment.

“That was, hands down, the most stressful and amazing thing I’ve ever experienced. He’s a tiny person.” I look over at Charlotte as we walk to the parking lot.

“He is,” she says, smiling back at me.

“So lunch?”

“Sure. There’s actually a really great Indian restaurant around the corner. Best Tikka Masala you’ve ever had.”

“Perfect. Do you want to walk?” I hold my hand out to her.

She accepts and I thread our fingers together. Today feels like it could be key to the rest of our life. I’ve got a ring weighing heavy in my pocket and I practiced my speech over and over. Even going so far as to text my sisters a version.

They agreed that it was romantic and heartfelt. Now I just have to hope I don’t screw it up.