To say we had been on cloud nine was an understatement. We had a few short weeks to go until baby boy was due and I had planned a little babymoon, in the country for me and Skylar, we were all packed and ready to go this evening. She had been so preoccupied with her course that we were like passing ships in the night. The dedication that she has shown throughout her pregnancy with her work is something I am in awe of. Tab has been amazing with her, helping her when she was a little unsure of what was needed from the course but I have to say, she is a natural and I can’t wait to have her on board and working alongside me. She passed her first two exams with flying colours, she has one more to go when the baby is born and then she is good to go.
I smile, thinking about how far we had come in the short amount of time. Running my pen across my bottom lip slowly, my mind flashes back to the night of the wedding and the night I promised her, it exceeded all my expectations, as did she.
Sighing, I dropped the pen and woke my laptop up. It was late morning; we were due at my parents for brunch this afternoon. I had finalised the last contract, it was all on me now. I just needed to wait for the right moment to call my father out, then I was going to cover that part of my life in petrol before striking a match and dropping it on the floor, watching as it went up in flames behind me. I was all for new beginnings.
“Babe,” I heard Sky’s panicked voice as she edged round the doorway holding her belly.
“Sunshine,” I rushed out, pushing so hard from my desk I knocked the chair over, but I didn’t care. Cupping her face in mine I could see the worry in her green eyes as they darted back and forth between mine.
“The baby,” she choked, “I haven’t felt him move all morning. I thought he was just being a little lazier than usual, but I’ve tried everything.” I watched as her eyes filled with tears, her bottom lip trembling as she tried to blink them away.
“It’s okay, everything will be okay.” I pulled her into me, my hand cupping the back of her head as I held her still and let her cry. I felt my own lump forming in my throat at the thoughts of what could be going on, but I didn’t want her worrying and thinking of things like that. I knew she would be, but it was my job to be the strong one and hide my feelings so I didn’t scare her.
“Come on angel, let’s get to the doctors,” I say softly, prying her from my soaked chest. She nodded numbly as she palmed away the tears. “I promise, everything is going to be fine.”
I tried to make conversation with Skylar to keep her mind busy but all I got back was small grunts, her hands were wrapped round her bump the whole time.
Pulling into a space right outside the office, I put the hand brake on before the car had even stopped, making us both jolt forward slightly. Slamming the door behind me I moved quickly round to her side and opened the door, taking her hand and helping her out slowly. Hitting the buzzer with my finger continuously before snapping out her name, we were let through. The doctor was standing at the door ready for us, I was grateful that he didn’t make us wait.
“Skylar; Preston,” he said softly, rubbing his lips into a thin line as he held his hand out to shake. I ignored it. I didn’t want to shake his fucking hand, I just wanted to make sure Skylar and baby were okay.
He closed the door quietly behind us and ushered Sky over to the bed to lay down.
“Let’s take a look shall we, I know it’s easier said than done, but try not to worry.”
Sky nodded bravely, her bottom lip beginning to tremble again. Her head turned to find me but I was already next to her, scooping both of her tiny, shaking hands into mine. The doctor lifted her top up and applied the gel before pushing the probe onto her belly.
I heard her choke out a sob as her hand squeezed mine and a loud thud came from the monitor followed by a strong, galloping horse sound.
“He kicked; did you hear that?” She beamed at me, tears rolling down the side of her face and dissolving into the thin tissue like covering.
“I did Sunshine,” I smiled back at her, bringing her hand to my lips and placing soft kisses on the back on her hand continuously.
“Everything looks great Skylar, baby is measuring around five pounds which is a little on the small side for how far you are, but we will keep an eye on it weekly with scans and just track his growth.” Aiden said calmly as he removed the probe from her stomach and placed it in its holder before handing Sky the tissue. I snatched it out of his hand before he had a chance to give it to her. I wiped her belly tentatively as Skylar smiled at me.
“But the baby and Sky are okay?” I asked Aiden, my voice gruff as I dropped the tissue into the bin located next to the bed.”
“They are, we will continue to monitor up until the baby is here. Just make sure she gets plenty of rest and doesn’t overdo it,” his eyes moved from mine before the fell to Skylar, lifting his brow and giving her a warning.
“I’ll make sure of it,” I nodded, pulling Sky’s top down and helping her up.
“Perfect, I’ll schedule you in for next Wednesday morning, does that work for you?” Aiden asked Sky and she nodded.
“Lovely, I’ll get the nurse to book it in, we will do your midwife appointment here then too.”
“Okay,” her voice was small as she hopped off the bed, my fingers wrapped around her hand as I helped her.
“Thank you for seeing on us on such short notice,” I said genuinely to him. Sure, he took her out on a date but it was nothing more. She was mine. She was always going to be mine.
“Of course, and if anything changes or you have any more worries then please call me Skylar.” Aiden stepped towards her, putting his hand on her shoulder as he smiled warmly at her. Pulling her away and towards me, I wrapped my arm around her waist.
“We will,” I nodded curtly, Skylar grinned and rolled her eyes.
“Thank you again,” she smiled at Aiden.
“You’re most welcome.” He smiled back before opening the door and letting us out.
Once we were back in the car, I pulled my phone out of my pocket and messaged my father letting him know we wouldn’t be coming for brunch. I wasn’t putting Sky in that situation, and no doubt he would make some comment to make her uncomfortable. She didn’t need the stress, and that’s all my father seemed to bring to us.
“You don’t have to be rude to Aiden,” she scowled at me as I reached over and strapped her in.
“I’m not being rude,” I pinched my brows before my lips gave me away as they pulled into a smirk.
She rolled her eyes at me.
“You gave mummy and daddy such a scare,” she placed her hands on her little bump and spoke to our son. “Yes, I know you’re okay, you’re quite happy moving around and kicking me now aren’t you,” she smiled and my heart burst. Lifting my phone, I took a quick photo of her.
“Hey!” she whined as her plump bottom lip stuck out, “you’ve got all my three chins in that no doubt.”
I laughed like a child. “No Sunshine, there is only two,” I laughed again as she leaned across and swatted me before taking my phone out of my hand and staring at it.
“Oh,” was all she said, her eyes brightening as her smile grew, “it’s actually a really nice photo,” she beamed. That smile was quickly gone.
“Your dad is trying to call you,” she passed me the phone back. I sighed, cutting him off and dropping the phone into the middle of the car.
“Plug your phone in babe, put some songs on.”
“With pleasure, let’s kick of car-e-oke with a little swifty.”
“My favourite,” I teased as I pulled into the road and headed home. I wanted her snuggled on the sofa with me while we watched film after film and ate junk food.
Sounded like the perfect Saturday afternoon.
