Chapter 17
…
3 weeks later
…
Mallory was in his office going over some reports with Eve and James when Kate and Sharon stepped in to his office, determination on both their faces as James smiled towards them.
"Oh boy, something tells me we're in trouble."
"I think that's my cue to leave…I'll bring these back later M." Eve smiled as she quickly exited the office.
Kate closed the door behind Eve, smiling to the younger woman as she left before coming to join Sharon in front of Mallory's desk.
"Ladies…I wasn't aware we had a meeting today?"
"We don't…but we should." Kate said.
"Have we done something wrong?" James asked.
"Not you dearie."
James glanced towards Mallory who saw the way Kate and Sharon was looking at him.
"Gareth…what have done?"
"We had him booked for an ultrasound, he didn't show." Sharon stated.
"What…you never told me about an ultrasound."
"James I…"
"Gareth what's going on with you…why don't you want the ultrasound? We need to check just exactly how far along you are. You said you were happy for Kate and me to do this together for you so…what is it?"
Mallory suddenly sat down in his chair, James watching him closely as he lowered his head, his hand going to the baby. James knelt down beside him, forcing Mallory to look at him.
"Gareth what is it? Why don't you want the ultrasound? Most parents-to-be can't wait to see their baby on the screen."
"If it's about both of us doing this for you Gareth then one of us can step back, it's not a problem." Sharon said.
"You won't offend either of us." Kate added.
"Hey, this is all about what you want and how you feel about this. All Sharon and Kate want is for you to be happy and healthy. They just want to make sure the baby's alright." James smiled up at him.
"That's what I'm afraid off."
"What? That there's something wrong?"
"I'm not young James, and it shouldn't be happening to a man, we knew there could be complications and I…"
"And you're afraid the baby might be affected by that."
"I couldn't bare it if I did something to hurt it."
Kate lowered her head, letting out a small sigh before Sharon squeezed her hand and went to join James.
"Gareth, there has been no inclination that there could be something wrong with the baby, aside from that scare a few weeks back…you've been in perfect health. You've cut back on your work; you're resting more and letting James take care of you. You're doing everything right; you haven't been experiencing any pain…have you?"
"No, nothing like that."
"Well then, my estimation is that you're worrying over nothing. If there was something wrong and I'm not saying there is but if god forbid there was then, at least we'd know what we're dealing with."
"Sharon's right dearie…better to check now that wait until she's born and find out something that could have been treated during your pregnancy." Kate stated.
"I might have known you'd agree with her." He groaned.
"Why do you think I like her so much?" Sharon teased.
"Gareth I know you're scared, I guess every parent is but I'm here with you and if god forbid there is something wrong then…we'll deal with it together. I won't leave your side, I promise you."
Kate and Sharon smiled to each other and James leaned up and covered Gareth's lips in a kiss.
"Very well ladies, let's do this." Mallory smiled.
"Finish what you're doing and we'll meet you down stairs." Sharon smiled.
Sharon and Kate left, leaving James and Mallory alone.
"You'll be okay…both of you." James smiled, taking tight hold of his hand.
"I hope so, I really do."
…
Kate was getting the equipment ready for the scan, Sharon coming up behind her, wrapping her arms around her waist.
"We're at work dearie."
"You might be, I'm not."
"You're impossible, do you know that." Kate smiled, turning in Sharon's arms.
"Are you okay?" Seriousness evident in her voice.
"Of course I am, why wouldn't I be?"
"I know how you feel about Gareth, he means a hell of a lot to you and I know you're just as worried about him and the baby as he is."
"Of course I'm worried, what kind of friend would I be if I weren't but what you said in his office, you were right. He's taking better care of himself and he hasn't been experiencing any pain…he should be fine."
"There you go…and about the other week…the talk about my mum…are you okay about that too."
"I'm sorry about that; I know we promised I wouldn't mention the age thing again."
"I know it worries you but it shouldn't, I think I've made it quite clear about how I feel about you and your age? It doesn't bother me."
"Just so long as you don't say I remind you of your mother, that's just creepy."
"I promise, you are nothing like my mother."
"Good, glad to hear it."
…
Bill was sitting on the edge of Eve's desk as she explained why Bill was to take over for the rest of the day as James and Mallory came out of the office.
"M."
"Bill…thank you for taking over today."
"Don't mention it sir, happy to do it."
"You are."
"Of course, look…I know I wasn't very…I didn't handle your news well when you told the rest of the staff. I'm sorry; I ought to have been more understanding about your situation."
"Believe me Bill, I completely understand."
"If I didn't say it, I am happy for you…both of you."
"Thanks Bill." James smiled.
"Yes, thank you."
"We better go, Kate and Sharon will have our heads if we're late." James said.
"Good luck Sir, I'm sure everything will be fine." Bill added.
Eve ran after Mallory before they got in to the elevator to take them down to Kate's office.
"M."
"Eve?"
Eve brought the man in to a hug, holding him tightly as James watched on.
"Bill's right, everything will be just fine you'll see. We're all here for you, you know that right."
"Thank you Eve, you're a good friend."
"Let us know how it goes."
"Thank you."
"Thank Eve." James smiled, as the doors closed.
Eve walked back to the office, Bill standing in the doorway.
"Did you just hug M?" He grinned.
"Oh shut up, get on with your work."
"Yes boss."
…
James and Mallory exited the elevator and walked along the corridor when Mallory stopped at the corner of Kate's office. James turned to him, taking hold of his hand, bringing him close to him.
"It'll be okay." He assured the older man.
"What if it isn't, James what if there's something wrong with her."
"I thought you told me not to call the baby her because we weren't sure."
"You said it that often it rubbed off on me."
"Our baby will be okay, you've done everything right."
"But what if…"
"If there is something wrong then, would we love her any less?"
"No…of course not."
"If we have to work harder then we work harder…we'll do what we have too, because no matter what happens…that's our daughter in there."
"Or son."
"Or son, are you ready?"
Mallory could only nod his head as James held on tightly to him as they walked in to Kate's office to see the two women chatting.
"Gareth…James…right on time." Sharon smiled.
"I'm glad you came dearie." Kate said, walking up to Mallory.
"I nearly didn't."
"You'll be fine, you'll see. Do you want to go and lie down and we'll get started?"
Mallory walked over to the examination table with James, as James helped him remove his suit jacket and waistcoat before loosing his shirt.
"Wow, he must be further along that I thought." Sharon whispered to Kate as they watched the two men interact.
"I'd say about what…fourteen weeks going but the size of him." Kate added.
"I'd say about that, maybe more. I wish he'd allowed me to do an ultrasound sooner."
"I thought you did one before he booked his termination." Kate asked.
"The machine was playing up, it has been for a while but trying to get the department to cough up cash for a new one is like getting blood out of a stone, you could see the baby but trying to determine growth was difficult."
"A new ultrasound machine is something of a necessity wouldn't you say."
"Would you like to tell my bosses that, because I've tried?"
"What are you two whispering about?" James said.
"Nothing that concerns you dearie…right, shall we get started."
Sharon moved over to the machine and switched it on as Kate moved Gareth's shirt out of the way and applied the cold gel to his abdomen. He quickly reached out for James hand, grabbing hold of it like a vice.
"Hey it's okay, just try to relax."
James stood right beside him, his other hand running through the older man's hair as Mallory kept his eyes on James.
"I'm sorry it's so cold Gareth."
"It's fine Kate."
"Alright…Sharon, we're ready." Kate smiled to the other woman.
Kate moved to stand beside James as Sharon played the device on Mallory's abdomen and began moving it slowly in a circular motion, Kate and James eyes were fixed on the screen while Gareth was trying to look anywhere but at the screen.
"Anything yet?" Kate asked.
"Just give it a few moments, sometimes it can take a little while to pick up the…"
Everyone fell silent as the sound of the baby's heartbeat filled the room, Gareth sucked in a breath as he heard the noise, almost afraid to look at the screen.
"Oh my god." James smiled.
"Well would you look at that." Kate added as she smiled.
James looked down to see Mallory's eyes closed again, he leaned down, placing a kiss to his mouth as Mallory opened his eyes.
"Gareth, look at the screen."
"I can't."
"Yes you can, listen to that sound. You know what that is…that's our son or daughter."
"It's your daughter." Sharon spoke up.
Mallory moved his head, sitting up just a little as Sharon adjusted the position of the scanner. Gareth looked at the screen as James arm came around his shoulders to steady him.
"It's really a girl." He asked.
"It is."
"There are her fingers, her toes…she's big."
"Is she okay?" He asked, suddenly worried.
"You daughter has a very strong heartbeat dearie." Kate smiled.
"You can both relax, I can see abnormalities what so ever."
"Sharon are you sure." James asked.
"Absolutely, I told you there was nothing to worry about."
"How far along am I, can you tell us?"
"You're sixteen weeks."
"I wasn't far off." Kate added.
"And you're sure she's fine." Mallory asked.
"Gareth your baby's fine, you've nothing to worry about."
"Why don't we give you both a few minutes alone?" Kate smiled.
James nodded his thanks as Kate and Sharon went out in to the corridor while James tightened his hold on Gareth, as the older man lay his head against James arm.
"You okay?" James whispered.
"Relieved, James look at her…she's perfect."
"Our daughter…wow."
"You're happy." He asked.
"Happy? I'm never been happier. I love you so much Gareth."
Mallory smiled up at him as James captured his lips.
"Come on; let's get this gel off you."
…
To Be Continued…