The Rose He Killed novel Chapter 177

Chapter 161: First Appointment 2

Bella POV

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Back in the consultation room, she sat down again and gave us more details. “You need to eat Bella, even when you don’t feel like it. Small meals, several times a day. Crackers, bananas, yogurt, whatever stays down. Protein is important, the baby needs nutrients right now.”

I nodded but told her the truth. “I rarely have an appetite. Most things make me feel sick.”

She didn’t look worried. “I understand. Many women experience this in the first trimester. Try anyway- even a few bites help. Ginger tea or small sips of electrolyte drinks can ease the nausea. A time will come, usually in the second trimester, when your appetite improves. You might even feel hungrier than usual then. We’ll monitor your weight and energy levels at the next visits to make sure you’re both doing well.” She smiled warmly. “Okay?”

“Okay,” I said, managing a small smile back. I believed her. I had done this before under much harder conditions. This time felt different – safer, shared. With Caleb on one side and Maya on the other, it felt possible.

Dr. Okafor went over a few more basics: prenatal vitamins I should start immediately if I hadn’t already, safe exercises, and warning signs to call about right away – heavy bleeding, severe pain, or dizziness. She answered Caleb’s questions about what he could do to help at home. He asked about rest, about foods that might help, and even about his own role in reducing stress for me. Maya added a couple of practical tips from her experience, keeping her tone light and helpful.

Dr. Okafor printed out information sheets and a schedule for future appointments. “I’d like to see you again in two to three weeks. Call the office anytime if something doesn’t feel right.”

We thanked her and left the room. In the hallway, Caleb pulled me into a gentle hug first. His arms felt steady around me as Maya joined for a quick group moment, then stepped back with a grin and handed me a ginger chew from her bag.

“Seven weeks,” Caleb whispered against my hair. “I saw the heartbeat.”

I nodded against his chest, still holding the small ultrasound pictures in one hand. “I did too, we all did.”

Maya smiled through watery eyes. “That little whoosh sound is going to stay with me. You’re going to be okay, Bella.”

As we walked toward the garage, Maya bumped my shoulder lightly. “You know, it feels a little like old times. Back when I had to act like your doctor even though I was just a pediatrician trying to help a scared new mom. At least now we have a real OB in the mix.”

I laughed softly, the sound surprising me. “You did act like my doctor, you still do sometimes.”

Maya grinned. “Guilty. But you turned out just fine, didn’t you?”

We both laughed, the kind of easy laugh that came from years of shared history. Caleb watched us with a small smile, then turned to Maya.

“Thank you for everything,” he said, his voice sincere and low. “For being there for Bella when I wasn’t. For

< Chapter 163 First Appointment 2

showing up today. For all of it. I mean that.”

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Maya’s eyes softened, she gave a small nod. “You’re welcome, Caleb. Just keep taking good care of her now. That’s all I ask.”

Caleb kissed the top of my head. “We’re going to do this right. All of it. You, me, Tom, and this little one.”

We reached the car as Maya gave me one last quick hug. “Call me later, and eat something real when you get home – doctor’s orders.”

In our car, Caleb started the engine but didn’t pull out right away. He reached over and rested his hand lightly on my stomach, even though it was still flat.

“I’ll make sure you eat,” he said. “Small things. I’ll keep stuff ready at the house. Whatever works.”

I covered his hand with mine. “I’ll try. For the baby, for us.”

He smiled, the kind that softened his sharp grey eyes. “Good. We’ll figure it out together.”

As we drove away from the clinic, I looked at the ultrasound images again. The tiny flicker was proof of a new life. I glanced over at Caleb and spoke quietly. “During Tom’s pregnancy I was way stronger than this, I cleaned offices from night till morning. I worked myself to the bone scrubbing toilets and vacuuming floors while the city slept. My body ached constantly, but I couldn’t slow down. The morning sickness hit hard, yet I kept going because stopping meant thinking about everything I had lost.”

Caleb’s eyes glistened as a tear slipped down his cheek before he could stop it. He didn’t wipe it away. He just kept driving, jaw tight, listening as I continued.

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