Ann sat at the edge of the couch, staring at her phone. The appointment was today. Her first real checkup since she found out she was pregnant. She had gone to the clinic once before, but that had just confirmed the pregnancy.
Today was different.
Today she would hear the baby's heartbeat.
Her fingers trembled slightly as she picked up her purse. The weather outside was cloudy, the sky dull and gray matching how her nerves felt inside. She stood, ready to leave, when Richard’s voice surprised her from behind.
“I’ll drive.”
She turned. “You don’t have to. I can manage.”
“I want to,” he said simply.
She stared at him for a moment. His expression wasn’t demanding. It wasn’t cold or commanding. It was calm… and sincere.
After a pause, she nodded. “Okay.”
The drive to the clinic was qu
