Fair warning: I have a very different writing style from Matisse. I hope that's all right and doesn't break up the storytelling itself too much for you guys. Please let me know what you think! I'm new to this whole story-adoption thing and I really want to do a good job.
Annie sat in the waiting room at the obstetrician's, pretending to read a six-month-old issue of People. One hand drifted subconsciously to her midsection and the reason they were at the doctor's office in the first place. This baby was no larger than a carrot stick, and it was already dictating where its mother went. And with whom.
Auggie found the place fine, taking a seat near the door. Probably best for a quick getaway. Annie got up and took the seat next to him.
"Hey, Momma," he said with an impish little grin.
Annie tried to masquerade her discomfort. "Hey. Glad you could make it."
A large woman in Tigger-print scrubs emerged from the back. "Anne Walker?"
Annie stood, Auggie at her elbow, and followed the nurse back to the examination room.
"Is this your first prenatal appointment?" The nurse asked as Auggie took a seat and Annie hopped up onto the exam table.
"I went to my primary doctor for a blood test, but this is my first obstetric exam," Annie said. She was in work mode for some reason, all clinical and matter-of-fact. She noticed Auggie noticing, too, and blushed in spite of herself.
The nurse checked Annie's health history, lungs, heart, weight, et cetera, et cetera before the doctor came in and got down to business.
"You know, it's not often we have the father in the room for these sorts of things," the obstetrician said from between Annie's knees. "Am I correct to assume you're the father?"
"That's what they tell me," Auggie said.
"Usually expectant mothers bring their own mothers, or sisters, friends- really anyone who doesn't get squeamish around stirrups," the doctor joked.
"I have an edge there, I guess," Auggie held up his cane.
"Everything looks good," the doctor said, sitting Annie back up. "You're still fairly young, healthy, with a good family history."
"Great," Annie said, her relief audible.
"And, near as I can tell, you are about three and a half months along, which would put your due date around..."
"May 21st," Auggie said.
Both the doctor and Annie whipped around to look at him.
Auggie put his hands up in surrender, apparently feeling the heat of their stares. "I crunched some of my own numbers."
"May 22nd, in fact, is my guess. Are you two together?" the doctor asked, in a wink-wink sort of way as he removed his gloves.
"No," Annie jumped on the answer before the doctor even finished his question. "He's engaged, actually."
The doctor's eyebrows shot up, but he seemed to reserve judgment. "Is that so?"
"We're friends," Auggie clarified.
"Takes some stones to accompany a woman to the OB when you've got someone else waiting at home," the doctor commented. He turned to Annie. "Your baby daddy is a stand-up guy."
Annie sighed, and forced a smile. "Yeah, he's something all right."