The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 176

Chapter 160: First Appointment

Bella POV

He nodded. “The house I got you the last time, do you want to still use it, or”

“One thing at a time,” I said. “Appointment first. Everything else after.”

“Okay,” he said, without pushing it.

I looked at my hands for a moment. “Are you scared?” I asked.

He was quiet for long enough that I knew the answer was real when it came.

“Yes,” he said. “Not about the baby, about you.” He kept his eyes on the window. “The pregnancy. Whether it’s safe, whether.” He stopped. “I looked things up this morning while you were on the phone with Maya and I should not have looked things up.”

“Caleb.”

“I know,” he said. “I know it’s not helpful, I just” He looked at me. “You’re the thing I can’t lose. That’s all. Everything else I can navigate but not that.”

I reached over and took his hand. “I’m strong,” I said.

“I know you are,” he said. “You’re also the person I love most on this earth and that makes me irrational.”

“We’re going to be okay,” I said.

He turned to look at me. “We’re going to be better than okay,”

I sat up and looked at him, this man I’d chosen and kept choosing as I said instead. “Yeah, we are always going to be okay.”

The next day the drive to the clinic felt longer than it was. Caleb kept my hand in his, his thumb brushing lightly over my knuckles. I stared out the window at the passing buildings and tried not to let my mind race ahead, this was our first real appointment.

The home test had been positive, a tiny life is already growing inside me.

Maya had met us at the house earlier, just as she promised. She pulled up with a small bag of snacks and a bright smile. “I cleared my whole day,” she said, hugging me tight. “Snacks for emotional support – ginger chews, crackers, and those fruit pouches Tom loves. I might cry when we see the heartbeat, so came prepared.”

Caleb had looked relieved to see her. The three of us drove over together, Maya riding in the back seat and keeping the mood light with quiet jokes. Her presence made the nerves feel a little smaller.

Caleb parked in the quiet underground garage and came around to open my door. He stayed close as we rode the private elevator up, Maya right beside us. The hallway smelled faintly of clean linen and antiseptic, when the nurse led us into Dr. Okafor’s consultation room, my stomach tightened with nerves,

13

Chapter 160 Pist-Appointment

but Maya gave my arm a gentle squeeze.

Clum

Dr. Okafor stood and greeted all three of us with a warm, professional smile. She had kind eyes and short curly hair that made her look approachable. “Bella, Caleb, and sorry who is this” she gestured towards Maya

Maya smiled warmly and extended her hand. “Hi, I’m Maya. A doctor like you, a pediatrician – and Bella’s best friend, I’m here for emotional support.”

Dr. Okafor smiled back. “Yes, hi Maya. Welcome also.” She shook Maya’s hand. “It’s good to have support here. Please, all of you sit down. This is your first prenatal visit, correct?”

“Yes,” I said, sitting down. Caleb took the chair right beside me. Maya sat on my other side, her bag of snacks resting on the floor.

Dr. Okafor started by reviewing my basic information and asking about my medical history. She noted my previous pregnancy with Tom, asked about any complications then, and checked my current symptoms. Caleb listened intently as Maya nodded quietly, slipping into her doctor mode without interrupting.

Dr. Okafor took my blood pressure and weight herself, recording the numbers quietly. “Everything looks stable so far,” she said. “Now, let’s talk about how you’re feeling.”

I told her about the nausea that came in waves and the days when even the thought of food turned my stomach. Caleb shifted beside me, his hand resting on the back of my chair as Maya reached over and gave my knee a quick, reassuring pat.

Dr. Okafor nodded understandingly. “That’s very common in the early stage. We’ll keep an eye on it.” She then explained the next steps. “Since the kit already confirmed the pregnancy, we’ll do blood work today for the full prenatal panel and a quick ultrasound to check the gestational sac, measure the baby, and see if we can hear or see the heartbeat. It’s early, so it may be transvaginal for better clarity.”

She led us to the exam room next door. I changed into a gown while Caleb and Maya waited outside for a moment. When they came back in, Caleb stood on one side of the table and held my hand. Maya took the other side, her presence steady and calm.

The room was dimly lit and quiet. Dr. Okafor prepared the ultrasound machine and explained each step gently. The probe was a little uncomfortable at first, but I focused on the screen. Maya squeezed my hand lightly.

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After a few seconds, a small dark circle appeared, and inside it, a tiny flickering shape.

“There we are,” Dr. Okafor said softly, smiling. “Seven weeks along, measuring right on track. And there’s the heartbeat – nice and strong.”

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