Chapter_219
Olivia woke up with a wave of nausea that hit her hard, the remnants of the nightmare still clinging to her mind. She rushed to the bathroom, barely making it before the sick feeling passed as quickly as it came. Her heart was still racing from the dream, but now it was the physical discomfort that consumed her.
Tyler, sensing her distress, watched closely. “Do you feel better now?” he asked, his voice gentle but laced with concern.
Olivia, still trying to steady her breath, nodded slowly. “I dreamed of a child chasing me,” she whispered, her voice barely above a whisper.
She was clearly shaken, her body still tense from the lingering fear. Tyler could see it in her eyes. He took a step closer, his voice soft. “What did the child look like?”
The moonlight from the window bathed them both in a soft glow, and Olivia hesitated for a moment before answering. “I don’t know… the child was light-skinned, maybe a bit chubby. I couldn’t see his face, but I was scared of him.”
Tyler felt her fear, sensing that she didn’t want to dwell on the details of the dream. He gently placed a hand on her shoulder. “Let’s visit the doctor tomorrow. Maybe they can give you something to help you feel better.”
Olivia nodded, too exhausted to argue or explain further. The weight of the night had drained her, but she didn’t want to burden Tyler with more.
Without another word, he pulled her into an embrace, his arms steady around her. He held her close, allowing her to rest against him. Olivia’s tired body didn’t have the strength to pull away, and she found comfort in his warmth. After all, Tyler was the father of her child—there was a deep, quiet connection between them now, whether she fully understood it or not.
The next day, they went to the doctor. As Olivia lay on the examination table for the ultrasound, she watched the screen, the black-and-white images flickering. The doctor moved the device over her belly, and Tyler stood quietly beside her, his gaze focused but calm.
The doctor smiled, pointing to a spot on the screen. “Here’s your baby. It’s grown a lot and looks good.”
Tyler’s eyes softened as he took in the sight. Though his expression remained composed, a small, almost imperceptible smile lingered on his lips. “It’s twice as big as last time,” he remarked, the wonder in his voice unmistakable.
Olivia, momentarily lost in the sight of the tiny baby on the screen, felt a sense of awe wash over her. The dream she had seemed so distant now. The real, tangible baby growing inside her filled her with a sense of peace.
“Can I see?” she asked, her voice quiet but filled with anticipation.
“Sure, sit up,” the doctor replied, gesturing for the nurse to help Olivia into a sitting position.
As she adjusted, Olivia’s gaze shifted to the screen, where the small form of her baby appeared. A lump formed in her throat as she stared at the image. Her heart swelled, and she reached out to touch her belly, the connection between mother and child deepening in that moment.
“The baby is stable now. Don’t worry,” the doctor reassured her, noticing the relief that seemed to flood Olivia’s face.
Tyler’s voice broke through her thoughts. “Mm-hmm, she’s been feeling a bit better lately,” he added, his tone shifting as if the idea of the baby was starting to settle in, taking root in his mind.
The doctor chuckled. “It’s going to be a lively one.”
Tyler’s gaze softened, and there was a subtle change in his demeanor—he was beginning to embrace the reality of the baby, his excitement beginning to show more clearly.
Olivia couldn’t help but grip the blanket beneath her, her mind still spinning with the enormity of it all. She hadn’t expected to feel such an emotional shift today, but seeing the baby, so real and present, made everything feel different.
After the check-up, they headed back to the car, and Tyler noticed the exhaustion in Olivia’s eyes. “Would you like some water?” he asked, his concern evident.
Olivia shook her head, feeling a little too full from the doctor’s visit and the water she’d already had. “It’s alright, Tyler.”
Tyler didn’t push. Instead, he draped a blanket over her, making sure she was warm. He noticed the chill in the car but didn’t comment, simply focusing on making her comfortable.
Olivia stayed still, letting him care for her without resistance. There was something deeply comforting about the way he looked after her, a quiet assurance that, despite everything, she wasn’t alone.
Just then, Tyler’s phone rang. It was Naomi, checking in on the check-up. Tyler answered with a warm smile in his voice. “Mm-hmm, the child is growing well and is healthy. Olivia isn’t feeling as sick anymore, so don’t worry. She’ll have another check-up next month.”
Naomi’s voice came through the phone, soft and caring. “Okay. Take care of yourself.”
“I will,” Tyler replied before ending the call. He looked over at Olivia, his expression softening. “You’ll be alright,” he said quietly, more to reassure her than anything else.
Olivia closed her eyes, letting the sound of his voice comfort her. Despite everything, despite the uncertainty that still lingered, she felt a sense of peace settle over her. Tyler was here. And for now, that was enough.