Metamorphosis

The drive to the hospital was pretty much quiet. I rolled down the window and let the air blow through my hair. It was really humid today and I was dreading it. Mark reached for his radio and pushed in a CD. The first song was "The Only Exception," by Panamore, a song I loved. I started singing it to myself with a smile on my face. I was a little shocked that Mark actually listened to music like this. His in-ring persona definitely didn't fit this.

"You have a pretty voice," he said out of nowhere.

I glanced at him waiting for him to make a smart comment but nothing else came. He looked at me for a second and then turned back to the road.

"Well fine, next time I won't give you a compliment." He said.

I sighed, "Well you'll have to excuse me if I thought you were joking. It's not like you've ever said anything nice to me."

He nodded, "You know what you're right, I have been a jerk…and I apologize."

I shook my head, "I'm sorry but after years of torment it'll take more than an apology to win me over."

"Alright fair enough…" he said as we pulled into the parking lot.

Once he found a parking spot, he turned the truck off and then got out. I was about to hop out myself when he opened the door and once again helped me out of the truck. Something about his sudden change in attitude really confused me. I mean only yesterday he was doing what he could to bring me to tears and now…he was actually treating me like a human being.

He gently held my arm and helped me across the street. As soon as we went into the hospital I signed in and then we took our seats in the waiting room. I sat in a corner with all the magazines picking up the first one about expectant mothers. Mark sat next to me glancing over my shoulder at the magazine.

"So will they be able to tell you what you're having today?" he asked me.

I nodded and turned the page to a woman who was well along in her pregnancy.

"Is your belly going to get that big?" he asked.

I giggled, "You're very interested in babies aren't you?"

He nodded, "Yes…I wish I had a kid, but Tracy and I haven't been too successful lately."

I sighed knowing exactly why they hadn't been successful…but I couldn't tell him. It wasn't my place at all.

"Do you think it's because of stress? I'm not going to lie, I hear you two arguing all the time." I told him as I turned the page again.

"You do? Oh…then I guess you've heard everything I've said about you." He said sounding regretful.

I shifted in my chair without a word making him feel even guiltier. "It doesn't matter Mark…what's done is done."

He was quiet up until the nurse called my name.

"Do you want me to come with you?" he asked.

I thought about it for a moment, "Only if you want to."

He nodded and got up from the chair, following me back to the exam room.

"Hold on sir, she needs to change into a gown so please wait outside the door." The nurse told him. It didn't take me long to change and when I did; I was annoyed at how cold it was in the room. I was shivering by time Mark came into the room.

"Are you ok?" he asked.

I shook my head, "No it's freezing in here."

He chuckled, "I think it's pretty decent actually."

I rolled my eyes, "Men."

The doctor came in soon after with the ultrasound machine. I smiled at him as he got it all set up.

"Hello, I'm Dr. Flask and I'll be doing your ultrasound today. Um how are you doing today Miss. Dali?"

I smiled at him feeling slightly nervous, "I'm good just a little tired."

"Oh ok…and you must be the father right?" he asked Mark, who shook his head.

"No, I'm her sister's husband." He said as he shook the doctor's hand.

The doctor's face brightened with excitement. "Oh yes, Tracy! She's one of my patient's as well."

"Really? Well hopefully I'll be back in here with her later on down the road." Mark said.

The doctor fell silent for a moment and then glanced at me.

"Uh, let's get this party started shall we?" I said to break the awkward silence.

"Alright Miss. Dali, I just need you to sign a few things before we get things started alright?" he told me.

I nodded as he handed me the clipboard. I took my time and read everything carefully making sure I wasn't signing my life away. Once I was done with the papers, I handed them back to the doctor who then asked me to lay back on the exam table. Mark watched him closely as he covered my bottom half with a blanket and asked me to pull up my gown. I did as he asked and watched as he put the cold jelly-like fluid on my belly and spread it around with the small part of the machine.

"Ok, you'll see a picture of your baby here as soon as I find it." He said as he pointed to a monitor. Mark moved closer to me, wanting to get a better look at the screen. I had to admit, it was kind of cute seeing him all interested in this. I never took him to be a guy who liked kids, but…clearly I was wrong.

"Here it is…" the doctor said as he pointed out my baby's small head. "There are the arms, legs, and the heartbeat."

I smiled as I looked at my little child on the screen.

"Wow…is its heart supposed to beat that fast?" Mark asked.

The doctor laughed, "I get that question a lot, and yes…it's supposed to beat that fast."

"Can you tell me the gender?" I asked trying to fight back tears.

"Uh…hold on let me get another view," he said as he moved the small piece of the machine to another side of my belly. It took several minutes before he was able to tell me anything. "It's a boy Serena."

I wiped a tear from my face, "Thank you."

"No problem dear," he said as he cleaned off the machine and then my belly. "I'm going to go make some copies of these pictures and I'll be back. You may get changed while I'm gone."

I nodded and then glared at Mark to leave the room. He sighed heavily, "Can't I just turn around or something? I'm sure you've got everything your sister has…."

I gasped, "Mark!"

"What? Oh alright I'll leave." He said.

I stared him down as he left the room. I could see that his attitude would be resurfacing soon. Oh well. When I say to leave the room that's just what I mean…

Once I was dressed, he and the doctor returned with my pictures.

"The baby looks great Serena, he's growing very fast and there are no signs of disease." The doctor explained. "Now I would like to see you in two months just to check-up on things. If you have any problems just call this number and I'll get you in right away ok?"

I nodded with a smile before heading to the truck with Mark. Like before he helped me in and then got in on the driver's side.

"I'm so glad that's over with." He said.

I ignored him as he started up the truck. I kept looking at my baby's photos on the way back home, admiring how cute he already seemed. Mark glanced at me silently with wonder in his eyes.

"Serena…who is the father of your baby and why isn't he helping you out?" he asked.

I sighed, "Why is it important to you?"

He shrugged, "Maybe because I'm still trying to be civil with you. That can all change if you want."

I rolled my eyes and look down at the pictures, "His name is Jeff and he isn't helping me because like you he thinks I'm a whore. He doesn't think this child is his even though he's the only one who has shoved their penis inside of me. Happy?"

"Look, I'm just trying to be nice Serena. At least acknowledge that…"

"I am acknowledging it, but I can't help but wonder why else you're suddenly being so kind." I said.

He sighed, "Because…I feel like an ass. I never meant to be as mean as I was to you and I'm sorry."

I folded my arms and glared out the window. "Is that all?"

"Well there is more but I don't think it's safe to tell you right now…look can we…start over?" he asked.

I glanced at him not able to fight off my smile. "Start over? What do you mean?"

"You know…wipe the slate clean…start over from the beginning." He said.

I thought about it for a moment and decided that maybe starting over would be nice. "Alright…let's do it…"

"Ok…Hello, I'm Mark." He said.

I giggled, "I'm Serena, Tracy's sister."

"It's a pleasure to meet you." He said.

"Same to you." I said.

Something definitely happened in Mark's mind that made him change so drastically…I just wondered what that could have been. I sure hoped that us starting over would be good, otherwise we were going to end up killing each other in the end.