Gage wiggled his fingers, opening and closing his hand as he snorted. “Maybe for you. I may need an x-ray to make sure you didn’t just break my hand.”

Shaking my head, I winked. “I think you’ll live.”

Gage mocked pained and said, “You may have just broke my multimillion dollar hand and you show no concern. What kind of person is carrying my child?” He placed his hand over his heart and fought his smile.

My nurse smiled at me as she said, “I’m all finished here. Dr. Fleming should be in, in just a few minutes.”

“Ok. Thank you.”

The room was silent as we watched my nurse walk out, closing the door behind her.

“Have you thought of any names you like yet?”

Gage lifted one shoulder and ducked his head. Gage acting shy? Say what!

“I was thinking if we have a boy we could name him Henry, after your dad.” Gage lifted his head, letting his eyes meet mine.

Feeling the lump in my throat and the burning behind my eyes, I swallowed my tears. “Henry Gage Tucker, I love that.”

“And if it’s a girl? Have you thought of a name?”

Blinking the tears from my eyes, I bit down on my bottom lip. “Londyn Hope.”

Gage looked between my eyes before asking, “How did you come up with that name?”

“I had always dreamed of going to London but now all my dreams are for our baby. And Hope for Fairhope, where she was conceived.”

“I like it. Londyn Hope Tucker.”

A knock on my door interrupted our conversation. I scooted back on the exam table and Dr. Fleming walked in.

“Good afternoon, Cobie.” Dr. Fleming shook my hand as took a seat on his stool. He reached out and shook Gage’s hand. “Hello, I am Dr. Fleming.”

Gage nodded. “Nice to meet you. I’m Gage Tucker.”

Dr. Fleming smiled before turning back to me. “So, today is just the routine checkup to make sure baby is growing as he or she should be. But, if we can get baby to cooperate we can find out the sex, if you would like.”

Nodding quickly I said, “Yes. I have been counting down to finding out if we’re having a son or daughter.”

“Then lets measure your belly then we can get to the fun stuff.” Dr. Fleming lifted my shirt and measured me, making sure I was growing like I should. “You’re measuring just like you should. The nurse was already in to take your blood, right?”

Glancing at Gage, I smirked. “Yes, she was.”

“Great. If everything comes back normal you shouldn’t hear from us but if something comes back you should get a call in two or three days. Now, let’s get you across the hall so we can find out if that’s a little boy or girl.”

Hopping off the table I felt that same shooting pain in my back. Again, I reached behind my back and put pressure, rubbing my spine.

Gage was at my side and asked, “You’re back again?”

Taking slow, deep breaths I nodded. “Mmhm.”

Dr. Fleming reached for my arm and asked, “This happen a lot?”

Gage answered for me, “It has been lately.”

Dr. Fleming pursed his lips. “You shouldn’t be having pain like that. I think you should make an appointment to see a chiropractor to make sure you don’t have a pinched nerve or your spine is out of alignment.”

“Usually when I take a hot shower the pain eases. But, I will make an appointment with a chiropractor when I leave.”

Nodding once Dr. Fleming opened the door and led us across the hall.

“I’ll let Connie know you’re ready. And I want to see you back in three weeks. Take care.”

“Thank you Dr. Fleming.” Gage shook his hand and walked into the ultrasound room.

“Thanks doctor. See you in a few weeks.” I shook his hand and turned to walk into the dimly lit room.

Sitting on the table I let my feet swing from side to side. I was getting nervous. Looking up I saw Gage staring at me. There was something in his eyes that I had never seen before. He looked happy, content.

Connie came breezing into the room, setting her machine up and having me lay back.

“Ready to find out?” Connie asked excitedly.

“Yes!”

Connie squirted the goo on my belly and I focused on the screen, waiting for my baby to pop up.

When the tiny form showed up on the screen I heard Gage’s intake of breath. Taking my eyes off the screen I looked at Gage and pulled him to me. He ran his hand down my arm to hold my hand and placed his other hand on my shoulder.

Gage looked down, both of us watching each other. Something was changing between us. Everything was changing between us.

“If you look right here, see those three lines?” Connie asked, pulling Gage and I from our trance.

Both Gage and I looked at the screen.

“You guys are looking at your daughter. You’re having a girl.”

Squeezing Gage’s hand I looked from the screen to Gage and back to the screen.

Gage kissed my temple. “We’re having a girl.” His voice was shaky, his eyes glazed over as he stared at the screen. Londyn Hope Tucker. I’m going to be a daddy. I’m going to have a daughter.” The first tears raced down his cheeks as his mouth formed the widest smile I had ever seen. “My little girl.”

Lightly running my hand over Gage’s cheek I said, “And she is a very lucky little girl. You’re going to be the best daddy to our daughter.” 

Cobie

Three days after my doctor appointment I was watching Gage pack for his flight. His large suitcase was at the foot of his bed with clothes stacked next to it. I was curled up at the head of his bed, my head resting on my hand.

“Cobie, please don’t look so sad.” Gage tossed a pair of athletic shorts into his suitcase before walking around his bed and sitting beside me.

“It’s just going to be weird without you here. Just when we are starting to figure shit out and get life back to normal, you have to leave.”

Resting his forehead on my shoulder I heard him sigh. “You could come with me. Stay at my apartment in the city.”

“You know I can’t do that. I have a doctor’s appointment in a few weeks and you will be busy with football. I understand why you’re leaving. I’m just saying it sucks.”

Gage lifted his head and slowly brought his lips to mine. He ran his tongue over my lower lip as he shifted me onto my back, resting above me.

Just when our kiss was turning hot my phone started ringing. Gage pulled in a steadying breath as he leaned up and grabbed my phone from the nightstand.

Sliding the answer button across my screen I answered, “Hello?”

“Is this Miss Nayler?”

“Yes, who’s calling?”

“This is Trish. I’m calling from Women’s Health Center regarding the blood work you had done. It seems your white blood cell count is down. Dr. Fleming would like you to call Dr. Emmons from University of Cincinnati’s Oncology team.”

Oncology? Like cancer?

“Dr. Fleming thinks I have cancer?” I asked, hardly above a whisper.

I avoided looking at Gage but I could feel him tense beside me.

“No ma’am. He’s not saying that. But with your white count being so low he wants to rule out the most dangerous first. More than likely it’s a vitamin deficiency but Dr. Fleming is just taking precaution.”

“Um. Ok, sure. Do you have the number for the doctor that Dr. Fleming wants to me see?”

“Yes, of course.”

Trish rattled the number off and I scribbled it on a piece of paper Gage had on his nightstand.

Ending the call, I looked straight ahead.

Cancer. I couldn’t have cancer. This couldn’t be right. I was only twenty. I was pregnant.

“Cobie? Will you please tell me what the fuck is goin’ on?”

Looking out the corner of my eyes at Gage, I said, “My white blood cell count is low. I have to see an oncologist.”

“An oncologist? Why?” Gage’s blue eyes clouded over.

“Gage, I might…”-my voice cracked-“I might have cancer. What am I going to do?” I dropped my head into my hands as my cries shook my body.