Chapter 9 - THE DAY HE HEARD HIS CHILD'S HEARTBEAT
Elena invited Nico to a prenatal appointment at twenty-eight weeks.
He read her message six times.
Then called Ava.
“She invited me.”
His sister laughed.
“I know.”
“What do I wear?”
Ava stopped laughing.
“What?”
“To the appointment.”
“Nico, it's a medical appointment.”
“I know.”
“Then wear clothes.”
He sighed.
“Ava.”
She laughed harder.
“Please tell me you're not planning to arrive in a three-piece suit with eight bodyguards.”
He looked toward his closet.
Silence.
Ava groaned.
“Oh my God.”
He laughed.
Then chose a simple navy sweater and dark trousers.
No entourage.
No luxury display.
Just Nico.
When he arrived at the clinic, Elena was sitting in the waiting room reading a magazine.
She wore a soft gray dress.
Her pregnancy was unmistakable now.
Nico stopped.
For a moment, he simply looked at her.
She glanced up.
“Hello.”
His voice softened.
“Hello.”
He sat beside her.
Not too close.
He didn't reach for her hand.
Didn't touch her stomach.
He simply waited.
A nurse called Elena's name.
She stood.
Then looked at Nico.
“Come on.”
He followed.
Inside the examination room, the obstetric clinician greeted them and explained the purpose of the visit.
Elena answered medical questions.
Nico listened.
For years, he'd been accustomed to speaking first.
Now he understood this was Elena's appointment.
Her body.
Her medical care.
His role was to support the choices she made.
When the clinician used a Doppler device to check the fetal heartbeat, a rapid rhythmic sound filled the room.
Nico stopped breathing.
His eyes widened.
The sound continued.
Steady.
Alive.
Their child.
His hands began trembling.
Elena looked toward him.
“Nico?”
He covered his mouth.
Tears slipped down his cheeks.
For the first time in his adult life, he cried openly in front of strangers.
The clinician smiled gently.
“That's your baby's heartbeat.”
Nico nodded.
He couldn't speak.
Elena's eyes filled too.
For several seconds, they simply listened.
Then Nico whispered, “Hello, little one.”
Elena laughed through tears.
He looked at her.
“Thank you.”
She frowned gently.
“For what?”
“For letting me be here.”
Her expression softened.
Then she reached for his hand.
Nico went still.
She intertwined their fingers.
Only for a moment.
But it meant everything.
After the appointment, they walked toward the parking lot.
Snow drifted through the afternoon air.
Nico stopped beside her car.
“Elena.”
She looked up.
“Yes?”
“Are you comfortable?”
She laughed.
“Define comfortable.”
He smiled.
“Fair.”
She adjusted her coat.
“I'm tired. My back hurts. And the baby seems determined to rearrange my ribs.”
Nico laughed softly.
Then hesitated.
“Would you like me to carry your bag?”
She studied him.
For a moment, he looked nervous.
Not about the weight of a handbag.
About whether she'd interpret the offer as an attempt to take control.
Elena smiled.
“Yes.”
He took the bag.
They walked a few steps.
Then she stopped.
“Nico?”
He turned.
“What?”
She took a breath.
“I don't know what's going to happen between us.”
His expression softened.
“I know.”
“But I want our child to grow up knowing both of us.”
Tears filled his eyes.
“That's what I want too.”
She smiled faintly.
Then looked toward her stomach.
“And I want them to know they were loved before they were born.”
Nico nodded.
“They already are.”
May you like
For the first time since the divorce, he allowed himself to believe that his future might contain something other than regret.
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