Where the Heart Lives

Chapter Four of Doctors and Names

Abbie clutched Willard's hand and gazed in slight trepidation at the nurse, a young woman of about twenty. The nurse smiled gently at her. "Mrs. Stiles, there is nothing to worry about. The ultrasound will be quick and painless, and you'll get to see your child."

Abbie beamed in joy at that thought. "Really?" The nurse nodded, and Abbie grinned. "Well then, let's get this show on the road!"

The nurse helped her to lie down, and smiled at Willard. "You just keep holding your wife's hand, Mr. Stiles. I have the feeling you're going to want to see this as well."

"I wouldn't miss this for the world."

The nurse smiled, then ran the wand slowly over Abbie's rounded stomach. "There's the little one!"

Abbie felt tears running down her face as she saw her tiny baby. "Is it a boy or girl?"

The nurse looked at the monitor. "Well, from what I can see here, I'd say girl. And a very healthy girl at that. Heart rate fine appears to be quite comfy, and well fed. Have you been eating well?"

Abbie smiled through her tears. "I'm having a girl? Willard, we're having a girl."

Willard gazed in wonder at the monitor. "I know, Abbie. I hope she has your eyes."

"I want her to have your hair. Hazel eyes and black hair. What a beautiful baby she's going to be."

The nurse smiled. "She certainly is. Now, as I asked earlier, are you eating healthy? Any cravings?"

Abbie grinned sheepishly. "Yes to both. I'm eating healthy, but my sweet tooth seems to have increased. I crave Reese's."

Willard chuckled. "So that's why you made me buy you seven packages of Reese's the last time I went shopping!" He looked at the nurse in bemusement. "And I was given strict orders that I must buy the largest size bags the store carried. My darling sweet loving wife threatened to castrate me if I didn't."

Abbie huffed in indignation. "I did not threaten to castrate you. I said I would break your head. There's a difference."

Willard gave her a mock pout. "Are all pregnant women as scary as you?"

Abbie stuck her tongue out at him in answer. The nurse laughed.

"Mr. Stiles, it's nothing to be concerned about. Your wife just has a great deal of hormones right now, and as such her emotions are basically churning away. Just be supportive of her when she needs you and leave her alone when she doesn't. We women have carried babies for centuries, and believe it or not, we can manage once in a while without the help of our men."

Abbie smiled, gently squeezing Willard's hand. "Well said, but I'm very happy that my man is here to help me manage better. I wouldn't want to do this without him."

"No reason why you should, Mrs. Stiles." Dr. Silver had come into the room. He turned to the Nurse. "Jackie, how's everything?"

Nurse Jackie smiled. "See for yourself, Dr." She turned the monitor towards him, and he beamed.

"Very good. Mrs. Stiles, I believe you are going to have a girl. But don't quote me on that. Also, the baby is perfectly healthy. Now, I have a few orders for you both. Mrs. Stiles, you are no longer allowed to ride your scooter after next week."

Willard smiled. "That's no problem; I can drive her to work."

"Good. Now, be sure you eat a healthy diet. Sweets are alright, but don't overdo it, and no alcohol except for a small glass of wine. I know you don't smoke. Are you on any prescription medication?"

Abbie shook her head. "I take aspirin for headaches when I get them."

"That's fine. Mr. Stiles, you are most likely going to have to endure your wife's mood swings. My order for you is to be a loving and supportive husband. This means knowing when to talk and when to keep your mouth shut. I have two children of my own, and I learned that whenever my wife asked me a question about her physical appearance while she was pregnant my best response was to simply keep quiet. She didn't want an answer anyway, just an outlet for venting. So be prepared for that."

Willard smiled. "I'm used to being vented at, trust me. I can handle it."

Dr. Silver laughed. "Good. Now, final order for you both. No sex after the sixth month. You don't want to poke the baby."

Abbie and Willard frowned, and then burst out laughing. Abbie got herself under control first. "No…we…wouldn't want that!"

Willard gasped for breath. "Yeah, it would be quite awkward. Dr, how long after she gives birth do we have to wait?"

"I'd say a few weeks, why?"

Willard gave Abbie a devil smile. "Good. So, Abbie, in four months and three weeks I am going to make sure we have some very intense sex. Long lasting, intense, passionate, sex."

Abbie sighed in longing. "Okay."

Dr. Silver laughed. "An appointment worth keeping. Mr and Mrs. Stiles, thank you so much for coming in, and I hope to see you again soon."

Later that night, Abbie lay in Willard's arms, gently stroking his bare chest. "Madison."

Willard opened his eyes and stared at her. "What?"

"The name. Madison. What do you think?"

"I think it sounds like a street name. And, also it's nearly midnight. Are we really going to discuss baby names now?"

"Well, I can't sleep, so I thought maybe we'd try to think of names."

Willard turned on his side, smirking at her. "Baby, if you can't sleep, I know something else we could do." He kissed her throat, gently nipping, and Abbie moaned. Willard chuckled softly, then slowly pulled the sheet down, caressing her breast firmly. "I have to say, one thing I do love about you being pregnant is the fact that those delectable breasts of yours are so much bigger."

"They'll probably go back to their regular size after the baby's born."

Willard smiled, and then slowly flicked his tongue across her right nipple. "True, but that won't make them any less delectable." He ran his tongue over her left nipple, and then slowly drew her breast into his mouth, and Abbie groaned, fisting her hands in his hair.

"Willard…"

"Abbie, you are the most beautiful woman I have ever known. I love you, my Abbie."

"Love you, Willard…love you…"

"Now, the doctor said no sex after the sixth month, so I'm going to make this last…"

And he did.

Abbie sighed happily as Willard gently pulled out of her. "Mmmm….that was amazing, like always. So, how do you like the name Emily?"

Willard sighed. "Are we really going to do this?" Abbie nodded firmly, and he sighed once more. "Very well. Emily is a pretty name, but it's a bit common. I want our baby to have a unique name. What about Karina?"

"That's a good name. Karina Stiles. It has a nice ring to it. Course, I like the name Rebecca too."

"Well, that can be her middle name. Karina Rebecca Stiles."

Abbie smiled. "That's perfect. Course, if we have a boy, then he's going to be quite confused over those names. We should think of boys names, just in case. And I swear, if one of your suggestions is Willard Junior, I'm going to hit you."

Willard chuckled. "Duly noted. What about Nathan?"

"Dear Lord, no."

"Okay, not Nathan. How about Thomas?"

"Not bad. I like the name Crispin."

Willard gaped at her. "That's an even stranger name than Willard, babe."

Abbie chuckled. "I know, but it is quite unique. Crispin Stiles. Has an interesting ring to it, don't you think?"

Willard frowned. "Think of another name, love."

"Fine. What about Ambrose?"

"No."

"Jonathon?"

"Maybe. Abbie, it's nearly two a.m., and I'm quite exhausted. Can't we continue this discussion when the sun's up?"

"Of course. I'm sorry, love, I didn't mean to keep you awake. We'll talk in the morning. Night." Abbie kissed him, and then snuggled up to him. "Willard?"

"Yes?"

"I can't wait to see our baby."

"Me neither, Abbie. Me neither."