“You see that little fluttering right there?” The doctor pointed to the screen. “That appears to be the baby’s heartbeat, making you about seven weeks. Should we try and listen?”
Sam nodded anxiously and wiped away some of her tears with the back of her hand as the doctor poked around trying to position the sonogram wand so they would be able to hear the heartbeat.
“Swish. Swish. Swish.” Sounded throughout the room and Sam looked at the doctor.
“There we go, that’s the baby’s heartbeat.” The doctor said as he measured the distance of beats, calculating the beats per minute. “Heartbeat is good too.”
Sam closed her eyes briefly relishing in the sound of her baby’s heartbeat. Nick crossed her mind and she wished he was there with her to share that moment. She swallowed the lump that was lodged in her throat. The doctor finished the sonogram and printed out the pictures before going back to her chart to make some notes.
“Okay, Samantha, so we will see you in four weeks. I’m going to give you a prescription for prenatal vitamins and also a referral for your twelve week sonogram. You can schedule an appointment that way you will be assured a spot during the twelfth week of pregnancy.” He closed her chart and turned back towards her. “Just make the four week appointment with the receptionist on your way out.” He smiled. “Do you have any questions for me?”
Sam bit down on her lower lip, certain that she had a ton of questions, but at the moment she was blank. “Not right now.” She said, finding her voice. The doctor handed her the sonogram photos and smiled at her.
“Okay, just call my office if you have any questions or concerns. Congratulations.” He said before leaving the room. When the door closed softly, Sam looked down at the pictures, pride tugging at her heartstrings.
Lucille Foti sat in the waiting room, waiting for her name to be called for her yearly mammogram. She was flipping through a magazine when the door next to the receptionist desk opened. Hoping it was the nurse calling her into the examining room, she lifted her head. Samantha walked to the receptionist her head down, her eyes staring intently at the paper she was holding.
Lucille leaned forward and listened as Samantha scheduled a follow-up appointment.
“Okay, so you’re appointment is on the back of this card and here is your prescription for the prenatal vitamins. Lastly, here is the referral for you twelve week sonogram. If you have any trouble making the appointment just call our office and we will call the facility for you. Again, congratulations!” The receptionist beamed at Sam.
“Thank you.” Sam said as she gathered all her paperwork.
Lucille’s eyes widened and she leaned back against the chair she sat in, bringing the magazine she was reading higher to shield her from Sam. She couldn’t believe her ears. Samantha was pregnant and Lucille knew very well that her son was the father. She saw how they were together at Jake’s funeral and then when she went to visit her son, she saw the love in his eyes for Sam shining bright. She gave him her mother’s engagement ring in hopes that he would pursue his future with her. She was happy he did, but sadness overcame her. She had hoped and prayed that they could turn a new leaf and try to become a family again. Her own son was having a child of his own and didn’t bother to tell her.
“Lucille Foti? The doctor will see you now.”
Nick walked down the familiar hallway that led to his father’s corner office. He donned a charcoal suit and the finest pair of Italian loafers he owned. He knew his father would size him up and he expected the scrutiny. However, he wasn’t going to willingly give him something to pick on and showing up in a pair of jeans and T-shirt would do just that.
He ignored his father’s secretary and didn’t bother knocking, he didn’t think the pleasantries were necessary and besides, he was here to wrap this deal up as quickly as possible. He stormed into his father’s office.
Nick Foti Sr., swirled around in his chair and glanced at his son, a devilish grin working along his lips. “Son, how good it is to see you.”
Nick cocked one eyebrow towards his father. “Really, we’re going to play it that way?” He walked towards his father’s desk and braced his hands on the edge. He leaned over the desk and was eye level with his old man. “Wipe that shit eating grin off your face.”
The elder Foti leaned back in his leather chair and studied his son for a moment. “Someone seems agitated.”
“Agitated? You think I’m agitated? You ripped me from my life to come back here and close a deal for you.” Nick straightened his shoulders as he peered into his father’s eyes. “You used Erica as a pawn to get me here. That’s a pretty low blow even for the likes of you. You should be ashamed of yourself.”