Olivia sat on the exam table, fidgeting in the paper gown as she waited for the OB to return. Elliot had pulled his chair next to her and was gently rubbing his thumb over the palm of her hand. The OB came back in with the nurse, and Olivia took a deep breath.
"It's going to feel cold," the doctor told her apologetically. Olivia felt the cold gel on the instrument, but her attention was completely focused on the screen. "There is the heartbeat," the doctor told them. "Everything looks good."
Olivia beamed, while Elliot teared up. She reached over and hugged him. "Do you want some pictures?" The doctor asked, smiling at them.
"Please, we'd love pictures," Olivia answered.
The doctor gave them several, and Olivia couldn't let go of them. She held them in the elevator leaving the doctor's office, driving home and while Elliot cooked dinner. "The pictures makes it seem real," she said to Elliot, "like now we have proof the owlet is really in there."
They'd started a nightly ritual of taking turns reading books to the baby, picking out a new one together each week. Ever since they'd added a book about a mother owl and her babies, they'd taken to calling the baby the owlet.
When they got into bed, Olivia brought out Good-night Moon. "Good-night stars, good-night air, good-night noises everywhere. Good-night, owlet," she finished.
"Good-night, owlet," Elliot added, gently rubbing her stomach. "I love you and your mama so much."
"Love you too, El," Olivia said, leaning over to kiss him.