New Beginnings, Chapter 57
by SIPort

Veronica was in the Book Café brousing the magazine section, when Whitney came up to her.

” Veronica, is it?”

” Yes. Whitney Russell isn’t it?”

” Yes. I saw you at Chad’s party. Very interesting that you came with Alistair.”

” What’s the problem? That I came to Chad’s party with Alistair, or that I came at all? And, why do you care?”

” I care because Chad is a good guy, and I don’t want to see him hurt.”

” You’re ‘ friends’?”

” Yes, we’re friends. And, anything Alistair related is a bad thing. Don’t you know who Alistair Crane is? Don’t you know his reputation?”

” I know that Alistair is a tough businessman, and that’s what I am too. My business is with Crane Industries, and I don’t think that’s any of your concern.”

” No. Just that Chad has a lot of people in this town who care about him, and don’t want to see him hurt. They’ll be watching.”

Whitney walked away and Veronica sighed. “ I wonder…just how close you and Chad were, Ms. Russell.”

Eve was in the hospital for an exam. TC sat in the waiting room, and Eve watched him thumb through a magazine. He was tapping his feet.

“ TC Honey? Are you upset?”

” No, Baby. I’m..just…well…nervous.”

” Nervous?”

” Baby, I’ve been trying to be as supportive of you as possible. But, I have to admit, I’m scared. I want this baby in the worst way. Ever since I heard you were pregnant, I’ve been overcome with these feelings. I adore Whitney and Simone, but we were so young then. There’s so much we didn’t know. Our lives were so busy back then.”

” And, they’re not busy now?”

“ Yes, but in a different way. I think we know so much more now. I think we can enjoy this baby in a way we couldn’t Whitney and Simone. “

” Admit it…you totally want a boy.”, Eve teased.

The nurse came out. “ Dr. Russell, the doctor’s ready to see you.”

Eve was wheeled into the doctor’s office.

” Hi Eve.”

” Yes. Complete bedrest.”

The doctor took all of Eve’s vitals, and then got her setup for the sonogram.

” I know. But, you’re about the same weight, and we’re workout buddies, so I know that you’ve been watching your health, and you and TC are known as semi- health food nuts. Your husband adores you, Eve. Unless I missed something, you don’t have any financial worries. Being off won’t hurt you financially, but the pressure is up. Is there a reason why it’s up? Is there something else that you’re worried about? “

Eve was silent.

“ I don’t like it, but if that’s all you’ll give me, I’ll have to respect it. I understand what I’m going to say to TC, don’t worry.” She went to the desk and picked up the phone. “ Glenda, bring Mr. Russell back here.”

TC was back in the doctor’s office. “ Hi Dr. Clayton.”

” Eve’s doing well for a high-risk pregnancy. Seems like she’s following doctor’s orders about bedrest.”

” She hates every minute of it, but she’s got the support of all of us. Anything to help the baby come into this world healthy.”

” That’s the attitude. Well, are you ready to hear the heartbeat?”

Both Eve and TC nodded. The doctor put the heart monitor to Eve’s stomach, and before they knew it, the sounds of the heartbeat were the only things echoing in the room. Eve squeezed TC’s hand, and there were tears in both their eyes.

” It’s…it’s a miracle.”, TC said.

” Yes, it is.”, Dr. Clayton. “ Now that we’ve heard this little one, why don’t we see it.?”

The sonogram machine was turned on, and the paddle was put on Eve’s stomach. Eve and TC were in awe as they watched their child on-screen.

” I think…maybe…well, yes, I did it. Do you see it, Eve?”

“ Oh my…is that what I think it is?”