I turned and nestled into his arms, nodding slightly as I looked up at him and muttered, "You''re not great at keeping promises... but soon you''ll get what you wish for."
His eyes crinkled with amusement. "If I can''t make it happen, I''ll find a way to make it happen."
"...Creep."
I couldn''t help butugh as I teased him.
He became more serious, gently patting my back with aforting presence, "Tomorrow, I''ll take you for a check-up."
"I was thinking of getting a pregnancy test in a few days first..."
He whispered, "But I can''t wait."
I could feel how much Gregory was looking forward to this child, and truth be told, so was I.
The idea of having a child connected by blood with the person I love was thrilling.
If it weren''t for all these troubling issues right now...
But since life has handed us this gift, I decided to embrace it.
"Okay."
The next morning, the first thing I did after getting up and freshening up was to check on Ramona.
To my surprise, Gregory had already taken Ramona for a walk and returned.
"You''re up early?"
I couldn''t tell if he was praising me or teasing me for being a heavy sleeper. I shot him a re, went over to support Ramona, and yfully scolded, "Why didn''t you wake me up?"
Gregory tidied my hair, which I hadn''t managed tob properly, his voice indulgent, "You were snoring so peacefully; how could I disturb your dreams?"
"You''re the one who snores."
Iined to Ramona, "Ramona, he''s picking on me. You have to take my side!"
"Hmm?"
Ramona chuckled, pretending to be confused, "Who''s picking on you? Greg? It looks more to me like you''re the one picking on him." "Ramona!" I shook Ramona''s arm, feigning sadness, "Are you even my real Grandma?"
"Of course, I am."
Ramona pinched my cheek, "Alright, you young lovebirds stop showing off in front of this lonely olddy. Go do what you need to do."
I had agreed to go for a check-up
with Gregory today, but seeing Ramona trying to look spirited despite her frail appearance, not wanting me to worry, made me lose all desire to go anywhere.
I just wanted to stay by Ramona''s side.
Gregory read my thoughts but didn''t concede, coaxing me, "Ramona has Zoe here with her. We''ll be back before you know it, okay?"
I knew he was also concerned about my health, or else he wouldn''t have been so insistentst night.
Since that''s the case, it''s better to go and get it over with for peace of mind.
I turned to Ramona, softly
instructing, "Then you make sure to
rest
I after breakfast, Gret
I''ll be back as soon as I canProperty of N?)(velDr(a)ma.Org.
"Oh, dear, I''m fine. You go on with your errands. Don''t keep fussing over me; it makes my head spin."
Ramona was trying to ease my worries. I didn''t say more, just went to get dressed.
Gregory drove.
With one hand on the steering wheel and the other holding mine, his thumb gently caressed the back of my hand.
The autumn sun streamed through the ss softly, casting a serene glow over us.
This moment felt peacefully timeless, despite the myriad of issues waiting for us.
But selfishly, I wanted to bask in this brief tranquility.
Upon reaching the hospital and waiting for the blood test results, my heart couldn''t help but flutter with anxiety.
Gregory, sensing my nerves, held my hand tighter.
But I noticed his palms were slightly sweaty, revealing he was just as anxious as I was, even if he was better at hiding it.
"Mr. Ford."
Soon after, the hospital director personally delivered the test results to us.
...
When Mark came to the hospital for a dressing change, the nurse at the desk was a bit surprised.
"Mr. Larson, didn''t you just have your dressing changed yesterday? You''re not due for another change until tomorrow."
"Sorry."
Mark
exin apologetic smile,
exining, "I identally got it
this
while showet
worried about infection."
"Oh, I see."
I was
The nurse nodded in understanding, "Then follow me, please."
With that, she led Mark into the dressing room.