Ethan led Kate by the hand into the ED. She was wearing a loose fitting top and a pair of black trousers. Her hair was pulled back off of her face by a pair of sunglasses? Cal was stood by reception reading a patient's notes when he saw his brother and his wife approaching. He picked up his stethoscope and placed it back around his neck. 'How are you guys doing?' He asked as he greeted the couple.
'Good, Kate's feeling a bit under the weather at the moment with the morning sickness, but other than that, we're great' Ethan told his brother.
'How are you feeling now Kate?' Cal asked putting an arm around her.
'Still feeling sick, but I'm fine' she muttered taking a deep breathe.
'So what brings you both here?' He asked
'Oh don't tell me you've forgotten, its the scan' Ethan told Cal.
'Oh right yeah, shall we?' Cal asked wrapping an arm around Kate and Ethan and guiding them toward the lift.
They stood in the lift in silence. Kate was distracted and didn't notice Ethan talking to her.
'Kate? Baby, I was asking if you were alright?' Ethan repeated himself.
'Oh um yeah, just a bit nervous' she whispered.
Ethan snaked his arm around her waist and pulled her close kissing her lips gently. 'It'll be fine, I promise' he soothed. 'I can't wait to see our beautiful baby for the first time. If it looks anything like you it will be the most gorgeous baby ever' he whispered with a smile.
Cal took her hand and squeezed it. 'Don't be worried, it's just a routine check to make sure that the baby is doing okay' Cal assured her.
They were met by a young nurse who led them to a nearby room. Ethan helped her onto the bed and helped her lie back comfortably. He sat on the seat beside his wife and held her hand stroking it gently with his thumb. The nurse came back into the room carrying Kate's file. 'Hello I'm Samantha, I'm going to be your midwife, Mrs Hardy. Now I'm going to take a quick look at your baby and then we'll sit down and go over some questions together' she explained with a smile.
Cal stood behind his brother with his hand rested on his shoulder. 'Right can you please roll your top up' the midwife instructed. 'This might feel a bit cold' she told Kate as she squeezed some gel onto her abdomen. Kate squeezed Ethan's hand nervously. He kissed her knuckles gently.
The midwife picked up the doppler and placed it on Kate's tiny bump. The soft thrumming of a heartbeat filled the atmosphere. Kate had tears running down her face. Ethan stood up and pressed his lips to hers. 'I love you so much' he whispered.
Cal stood wiping his eyes with his fingers. 'Oh Cal, are you crying?' Ethan asked with a chuckle.
'No it's just dusty in here' he answered.
'Yeah yeah!' Kate muttered.
'I'm so proud of you guys' Cal whispered hugging his little brother and his sister in law.
The small family were crowded around the screen gazing intently at the fuzzy image on the screen. None of them could contain their happiness as they watched the little blob dancing around in front of them.
The midwife printed off several copies of the scan for each person before going over Kate's notes and asking her some important questions. They got onto the topic of where Kate would have the child.
'We can book you into our dedicated maternity ward, they will be on standby until the birth' the midwife informed Kate.
Kate shook her head before resting her hand on her bump. 'I want to have a home birth. I want my husband and his brother to assist' she told the midwife.
'I wouldn't advise that, it could be dangerous' the midwife spoke.
'My decision has been made' Kate spoke, her voice stern.
'Kate are you sure about that?' Ethan asked her.
'Yeah wouldn't you rather go to the hospital' Cal asked.
'No, I am having my baby at home with my husband and his brother looking after me, I don't want loads of strangers poking and prodding me. I want to be in the comfort of my own home with my family looking after me' Kate told her husband and brother in law.
The midwife tried to dissuade the young woman but Kate was adamant and eventually Ethan and Cal backed her up.
