Carrying His Baby

“Gynecologists, nutritionists, about a million other things that a pregnant woman apparently needs. I had an assistant put everything together.”

Hallie felt as if she was being swept away by a tidal wave named Aldous Banks.

“But…”

“We need to make sure you get the best care possible, and you have all the information you need to make the best choices.”

“But Aldous…”

“You will have a chauffeur and a car at your disposal at all times, of course. The chauffeur will also be more than happy to take care of chores like grocery shopping for you.”

“Aldous, I…”

“He also has a list of staples that will be good for you. He will restock them periodically. He will be available with a five-minute notice at night, as well. I’ve got him an apartment close to yours.”

Hallie gave up.

“I’ve also started expense accounts and tabs for you in all places I could think of, especially places that, I’m told, pregnant women frequent. I’m not an expert, but Layla tells me that she’s covered everything you need.”

“Layla’s back?”

“No, but she recommended a cousin. I’ve hired her. Layla has taken a couple of weeks off because her sister’s having a baby. It’s apparently a big deal and she hasn’t had a vacation in three years. I couldn’t exactly say no.”

Hallie liked this new human version of the billionaire.

“Aldous, lots of women manage to get pregnant and stay pregnant without an army of helpers, you know.”

“Yes, but none of them were having my baby.”

That was true. And this would make life a whole lot easier for her.

“I’m also starting a bank account for you. No, wait, hear me out. You’re at liberty to use it whenever you want. But you don’t have to use it. Just in case there’s a complication and you need to co-pay, or there’s something really unforeseen that needs money – look at it as a backup plan. I know you can take care of yourself. But from what Layla told me, most women worry about money when they’re pregnant, even if they’re comfortably well off. I know you can take care of yourself, but this is just a safety net. So that you don’t have to worry. Stress is bad for the baby. It’s there in case you need it. Just in case.”

When he put it that way, it actually sounded quite reasonable. It would be a load off, to know that if she had some kind of emergency, she wouldn’t have to scramble.

“Thank you,” she said, grudgingly. She didn’t like feeling as if he was taking care of her.

“I’d like to ask a favor.”

There was the catch, thought Hallie cynically. She should’ve known that there would always be strings attached.

“What?” she asked warily.

“I’d like to be there for the first sonogram.”

That was… Touching. Unexpected. Sweet.

“Okay,” she whispered.

Something occurred to her then.

“I have a favor to ask, too.”

“Anything.”

Unlike her, he had no hesitation.

“I’d like to meet your mother.”

This time there was hesitation. She bit back an amused grin.

“All right,” he said with obvious reluctance. “After the first sonogram, you could come and have dinner with mom and me.”

Why not, thought Hallie.

“Sure, that sounds great,” she told him, and they hung up.

Well, thought Hallie, resting her hand on her belly, her life was going to get a lot different.

A thought struck her.

Was she supposed to give up coffee while pregnant?

“Bugger,” she muttered.

That was going to be a real problem.

*****

Hallie was nervous. She had been taken to the clinic by the silent giant, Jack. He wasn’t so silent once you got him loosened up. She’d baked him coffee cake to take home and he had talked to her about his family.

But usually, he was a silent giant.

The car, thankfully, wasn’t too ostentatious. But she was beginning to miss public transportation. She’d never known that such a day would come.

Her first ultrasound and sonogram would be in under an hour. She was early, because duh, she was really, really nervous.

It was irrational. She was sure everything was fine. She felt perfectly fine.

But somehow, every day, she woke up loving that little nugget a little bit more. She looked up how big it was every week.

Her life had turned inside out. She was showing, just a little bit. She knew that. She hadn’t been able to zip up her skirt the day before and had had another crying jag.

Bridget had been a real gift. She seemed to know exactly what to do. So did Jack, oddly enough.

So she was about eleven weeks along, by her estimation, and she was due for her dating scan. She was nervous. She was terrified.

Aldous was early and there. She hadn’t seen him since that day at the park, though he had kept in touch. She was glad, really, that he hadn’t stayed in her life. She didn’t want to deal with developing feelings for him thanks to the baby playing all kinds of havoc with her hormones.

“Hallie, you look wonderful,” said Aldous.

He looked like he completely meant it.

“You’re glowing. You’re early.”

Hallie chuckled.

“I was nervous. I guess you were, too.”

“Well, you won’t have to wait. I moved your appointment up when Jack told me you’re on the way.”

She should’ve been mad, but she was so nervous that she wanted it over with, too.

“Thanks, I guess,” she told him, smiling.

“Hallie, you really look… I can’t tell you how lovely you look.”

She smiled. Her smile had gained quite a bit of power since she got pregnant. It must come from the happiness that shone through once she was done hugging the toilet every morning, she thought wryly.

“Miss Holt, you can go through,” said the grumpy looking receptionist.

She didn’t quite realize that she had gripped Aldous’s hand so tightly that he could almost hear his bones grinding. She let go with great effort and walked in. She changed, taking deep breaths to try and calm herself down, and finally was settled down.

“Miss, do you want the father in here?”

“Oh… Yes, yes please,” said Hallie, and realized that she hadn’t even had to think about it. She wanted him there.

It wasn’t just because he was the father. She did want him there. He had been kind to her, and caring, and sweet.

She got that death grip on his hand again as soon as he was there. He couldn’t seem to take his eyes off her belly, and he looked ashen.

He looked as terrified as she did, really. Was this first sonogram thing supposed to be terrifying? Wasn’t it supposed to be a joyous occasion?

“Ready?” asked the perky technician and started.

The gel felt cold on her stomach, which still looked relatively flat to her. Aldous’s eyes were glued to the screen.

It looked like abstract art to her. The technician didn’t look worried, so she assumed it was doing whatever it was supposed to do, and there was nothing to worry about.