“I didn’t mean to alarm you. Just checking.” Gwen smiled and gently patted Dawn on her hand. “Fifth time? I’m sure this must be rather nerve-racking for you.”
“Just a bit.”
“Well, don’t worry, you’re in the best care here.” Gwen checked Dawn’s chart one more time. “I see we have you at seven weeks. We’re looking at a December baby. Perhaps near Christmas?” Gwen’s smile faded as she did not get any sort of reaction from Dawn. She asked, “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine.” Dawn fidgeted in the bed and ran her fingers through her hair. “I’m sorry, but where’s Jill?”
“Jill’s out sick with the flu. I’m sorry. I should have introduced myself. I’m Gwen. I’m covering for Jill this weekend.”
Dawn stared blankly at Gwen, the patient’s blue eyes floating in her porcelain skin. Gwen suddenly felt uncomfortable, as if she were being judged. She turned her attention back to the chart resting in her lap.
“I see you turn forty later this year,” Gwen said.
“The doctor said I wasn’t too old to get pregnant again.”
“Not at all.”
Gwen gave Dawn’s hand a gentle squeeze in an attempt to convey some reassurance. Dawn’s hand remained cold, stiff, and curled. Gwen calmly let go of Dawn and made her way over to the ultrasound machine.
“According to your chart, it’s been several years since you were last pregnant.”
“It has, but I know this time will be different. I can feel her.”
Gwen smiled as she prepped the machine.
“Her? Today’s ultrasound is just to confirm the pregnancy and determine your due date. We won’t know the sex of the baby for a few more months. It’s still just an embryo.”
“That’s not true!” Dawn ran her hand across her stomach and stared coldly at Gwen. “Life begins at conception. You do know that, don’t you?”
“I . . . I didn’t mean to imply anything. I just wanted you to know that, medically, we won’t be able to confirm the sex until you’re into your second trimester.”
“I’m sorry I snapped. I’ve just been down this road too many times.”
Gwen pulled the stool toward the midpoint of the exam table and sat beside Dawn. She smiled and held both her hands. Dawn was much more receptive this time and gently squeezed Gwen’s fingers. Dawn ran her thumb across a small diamond ring on Gwen’s hand.
“That’s a lovely ring,” Dawn said. “Are you engaged?”
“I am. My fiancé proposed last month.”
“How wonderful.” Dawn spent a few moments admiring the half-carat diamond before letting go of Gwen. Dawn held her hands out and wiggled her fingers in the air. “I’m still waiting for mine. Jacob and I never discussed marriage but then the pregnancy, well, it . . . it sort of surprised us. I know it’s only a matter of time before he pops the question.”
“Is Jacob excited about becoming a dad?”
“I . . . I think so. We’ve been dating for several months now. Jacob lives in Jersey but works close to my apartment. That’s how we met. He’s the most handsome man.” The blank look on Dawn’s face melted into a broad smile. “He used to be a model. He’s, um, a bit younger than me.”
Gwen grinned and let out a slight chuckle.
“Nothing wrong with having a younger beautiful man by your side.”
“I suppose.” Dawn rolled her head sideways and looked out the window. “Jacob and I didn’t expect this. But I know Evelyn will bring us closer. It was fate. He’s . . . he’s going to make a wonderful father.”
“Evelyn?”
“That will be her name.” Dawn looked back at Gwen and furrowed her brow. “My baby. I’m going to name her after my mother.”
Gwen stood up and returned to the ultrasound machine.
“All right, Miss Easton, let’s begin.”
∞∞∞
Gwen closed the exam room door behind her as she stepped into the hallway. She brought Dawn’s chart over to the main desk and dropped it on the counter. Gwen sighed and began to rub her temples. Jack, one of the nurses, strolled up next to her and put his arm around her.
“How’re you holding up, Buttercup?” Jack squeezed Gwen’s shoulder and pulled her close. “You must be exhausted. When does your shift end?”
“Not soon enough. I’m struggling to keep myself upbeat. Especially when I get these oddballs.”
Jack slid the chart closer and began to read the details.
“Holy shit. That’s Dawn Easton.”
“Do you know her?”
“Do I know her?” Jack spun Gwen around and locked eyes with her. “Dawn Easton. As in the daughter of Evelyn Easton.”
“She told me that was her mother’s name. She plans to name the baby after her. But I’m still not following you.”
“Are you just tired or clueless?”
“I don’t know, Jack. Maybe both?”
“Evelyn Easton. As in high-end fashion? The back-to-back double-E symbol on half the handbags in Manhattan?” Jack smiled as Gwen’s jaw slowly fell open. “There it is. I knew the lightbulb would come on at some point.”
“I . . . I have one of her scarves. So, that woman Dawn I just examined is–”
“Heir to a huge fashion empire.”
“Shit. I had no idea.” Gwen shook her head and started to review Dawn’s chart. “But then again, I’m no fashion hound like you are.”
“True. I’ve never missed an episode of Project Runway.”
“She must be worth a fortune. Is Dawn a fashion designer like her mom?”
“No.” Jack paused and glanced around the hallway to confirm they were alone. “She calls herself an artist. She does these dreadful paintings. With all her money, she gets them into exhibits and galleries. At least she used to. Now, most people kindly decline. It’s sad, really. She’s got zero design talent. There’s nobody in the family running the company.”
“Where’s her mother?”
Jack was about to speak but instead nodded past Gwen’s shoulder. She spun around to see Dawn approaching, a long white
