"Are you nervous?" Hayden asked, steering the car onto the main street.
"No, the first appointment was the longest," Kristen replied. "When they did the whole physical exam and blood work....I was there forever."
"I'm sorry I wasn't there," Hayden said, looking over at her.
Kristen smiled, "I was fine....I'm glad you're here with me now."
Hayden smiled and continued the drive.
Soon they arrived to the doctor's office and Kristen checked in with the receptionist.
"It will just be a few minutes, have a seat," the friendly receptionist stated and couldn't help but do a double take when she saw Hayden.
After a few moments, Hayden sat there fiddling with the pages of a magazine.
"Are you okay?" Kristen asked quietly.
The truth was, Hayden was more nervous than if he was going in for a medical procedure himself.
"Yeah, I'm fine," he shrugged.
A nurse with a clipboard opened the waiting room door at that moment. "Kristen Hodges?"
Kristen stood up and Hayden looked up at her.
"Do you want me to go back there with you?" he asked.
"If you want...," Kristen replied.
Hayden got up and followed her to the corridor of exam rooms.
The nurse checked Kristen's vitals and had her weigh in on the scale in the hallway.
"The doctor will be with you in a few moments," the nurse said before leaving Hayden and Kristen alone in the room.
Hayden exhaled a deep breath he didn't know he'd been holding.
"Are you sure you're okay?" Kristen asked him.
Hayden nodded, looking around the room at all of the elaborate equipment.
A moment later, a woman in a white lab coat opened the door and smiled broadly. "Hi Kristen," she said with a warm smile.
"Hi Dr. Bader," Kristen replied, smiling too. "I'd like you to meet Hayden. He's the father."
Hayden stood up and shook hands with the doctor.
"It's very nice to meet you," Dr. Bader smiled. "I think its wonderful that you are coming to these visits with Kristen."
"Absolutely," Hayden smiled. "I think its very important...I want to be a part of every aspect of the pregnancy."
Dr. Bader grinned and could see that Kristen was beaming. "It's very important to understand how everything progresses throughout the pregnancy. I know Kristen is glad that you're here. It's essential to have support during this time."
Hayden looked over at Kristen and smiled, "she knows she has my full support."
Dr. Bader proceeded with the rest of the exam, even having Hayden excuse himself for a couple of minutes during one portion of the exam where Kristen and the doctor spoke privately.
Soonafter, she called Hayden back into the exam room.
A piece of equipment that Hayden had noticed before was set up by the exam table where Kristen was lying and the small image on the screen caught Hayden's immediate attention.
"This is a unique type of ultrasound....it allows you to see your baby's heartbeat for the first time, even this early in the pregnancy," Dr. Bader explained.
Hayden watched and shook his head in amazement. He was completely and utterly fascinated.
~~~~
Hayden and Kristen were talking about the doctor's visit during the drive home.
"I really like Dr. Bader," Hayden commented.
"I do too," Kristen said. "She really makes me feel at ease in there."
"You did look pretty calm," Hayden stated. "I was nervous and I wasn't even the one being examined!"
Kristen laughed in response.
"What did you think of that ultrasound?"
"That was the most fascinating thing I think I have ever seen!" Hayden exclaimed. "I had no idea they could do that!"
Kristen grinned, "its pretty amazing to watch." She got quiet for a moment. "Thank you for going with me today. It really means a lot."
"You don't have to thank me," Hayden said. "It's where I wanted to be."