ALLY:

My doctor appointment was today. I was jumping out of my fucking skin with nervousness, anxiety and anticipation. I tightly grasped Austin's hand as the two of us were sitting in the waiting room. I was sweating and my heart was beating out of my chest.

"Austin, I'm nervous,"

I whispered.

Austin consolingly rubbed my arm.

"It's OK. I'm here, sweetie."

He picked up a bottle of Aquafina water and handed it to me.

"You might want to drink this. Drinking water can help ease anxiety, and the doctor has to test your preeclampsia through your urine,"

he said.

I said,

"Thank you."

I drank the water, and Austin was right. I felt less anxious after drinking the water.

Dr. Jones announced,

"Allison Dawson?"

I said,

"Right here."

Austin held my hand as he walked me to Dr. Jones's office and she held up a gown.

"Undress to your bra and underwear please."

I said,

"Doctor, I need to pee really bad."

Dr. Jones went to the cabinet and picked out a cup.

"Here. You can urinate in this. Just don't flush it. One of the key signs of preeclampsia is protein in the urine."

I said,

"OK,"

And I went into the bathroom, sticking the cup under my female anatomy. I put the top on the cup, and I walked out. She looked at my pee in the cup, and she said,

"I don't see any more protein in your urine."

She took my blood pressure, which was now one hundred and six over seventy-five.

"Your blood pressure has definitely lowered and the swelling in your hands and feet has gone down, and those are very good signs."

Austin told her,

"She's also been eating her daily five, staying hydrated and exercising and taking the hydralazine frequently."

Dr. Jones smiled,

"That's good. Have you been feeling dizzy, itchy or nauseous?"

I said,

"A bit dizzy, but not itchy or queasy."

"Constipation or diarrhea?"

I said,

"No."

She said,

"OK. Sounds like the hydralazine has been working very well for you."

She took the stethoscope from around her neck, feeling my heartbeat. She put on my stomach and the most amazing thing happened- I felt the baby moving again. Dr. Jones smiled at me.

"It sounds like your baby has survived."

I was just covering my mouth and started crying tears of happiness.

"She's OK,"

I whispered to Austin, tears of relief sliding down my cheeks.

At home, Austin and me were on our bed resting under a warm sherpa blanket. I said,

"I'm so glad to know that our little miracle is OK."

Austin booped my nose.

"Me too. I was scared out of my mind when I heard you had preeclampsia. Preeclampsia can cause pulmonary embolisms, a stroke, it can impair your kidneys and liver, affect the blood flow to the placenta in very negative ways, HELLP syndrome, which stands for hemolysis, or demolition of the red blood cells, upraised liver enzymes, and a lack of platelets, which help wounds heal and prevent severe bleeding, heart disease and even death."

I said,

"Please don't scare me, Dr. Moon."

He said,

"Sorry, Ally. I was just terrified for you, because I've treated women with preeclampsia before, and I know all about the risks."

I said,

"Having that said, no one makes science sound sexier than you."

He laughed.

"You're the cutest. Oh, hey, by the way, we haven't talked about baby names."

I said,

"You know, you're right. We haven't talked about baby names at all yet."

Austin told me,

"She's due on my great grandfather's death date, and his name was Emerson. I kind of thought we could name her Emma Harmony, because you're a singer."

I said,

"Emma Harmony Moon. It's perfect as hell!"

We just started kissing and laying on top of our bed.

He stopped for a moment and asked me,

"Are you OK with us having sex?"

I said,

"Oh hell, yes! Austin, you're my husband. There's no one else I'd rather consummate with."

We started kissing and I tossed off his white short sleeved shirt and he took off my black spaghetti strap top. We still continued kissing as he unhooked my black bra and took off my blue skinny jeans and I took his pants and boxers off. We continued making out under the blanket.

Days later, Austin sent me out on a girls day with Trish and Carrie at the mall for spa treatments.

Carrie and Trish were tightly embracing me.

Trish said,

"Ally, I was scared shitless when I heard preeclampsia!"

Carrie asked,

"What's preeclampsia?"

I said,

"It's a terrible pregnancy complication. Just ask Austin about any disease."

Trish told me,

"I knew Austin before she even did. He orders and purchases medical marijuana from Cosmic Kratom."

Trish was my manager and she worked as a high-grade medical pot dealer. Fortunately, she never smelled like pot or smoked it for that matter.