GIO
Upon entering the practice’s reception area, all eyes swiveled toward us, widened by recognition of my presence. My gaze shifted briefly to the closed door of the adjacent waiting room; I had no desire for our visit to be fodder for gossip. Turning back to the reception desk, I met the receptionist’s gaze.
“Mrs. Merante, we didn’t anticipate your visit today,” she stammered.
“I believe that won’t pose an issue,” I responded, my smile tight-lipped, a practiced gesture that often wielded authority. Millie’s cheeks flushed slightly under the weight of the gaze.
The receptionist blinked, then quickly averted her eyes, her complexion paling. “Of course. I’ll need to consult with Dr. Lee first. Given the number of patients waiting, perhaps you could take a seat until I call you?”
I interjected firmly, “No. Understandably, we’d prefer to maintain a low profile. Your discretion is appreciated.”
Her nod was accompanied by a swift signal to a nurse nearby, attired in a bluish uniform. “Could you please escort Mr. and Mrs. Merante to an examination room?”
With a single fleeting glance in my direction, the nurse hurriedly scuttled away, gesturing for us to follow her. The door she opened led us into a new space, and as we crossed the threshold, the door closed behind us, cocooning us in a bubble of privacy. Millie turned towards me, her features a mix of weariness and frustration. “Gio, did you really have to come across so…” She trailed off, her hand gesturing towards me in a way that seemed to encompass a multitude of emotions.
“What do you mean?” I inquired, mirroring her earlier gesture.
“Overbearing,” she concluded, her tone heavy. She then sank into one of the two chairs positioned before a pristine white desk. The room’s other furnishings included an ominously outfitted chair, complete with unusual metallic leg restraints, and a pallet bearing an ultrasound machine.
I arched an eyebrow, my curiosity piqued.
Millie shook her head, brushing off her thoughts. “Forget it.”
I positioned myself by her side, opting to remain standing. The setting somehow dissuaded me from sitting.
“Gio,” she began again, her voice carrying a note of caution. “Dr. Lee is quite straightforward. I just hope you won’t misconstrue it and revert to your ‘Capo’ demeanor.”
Before I could respond, the door swung open, revealing a tall figure. A woman with short brown hair and glasses stepped in Dr. Lee, as indicated by her name tag. I shot Millie a glance, and she responded with an innocent smile. The doctor approached without hesitation or any apparent surprise. Clearly, her receptionists had prepped her. I accepted her proffered hand, taken aback by the strength in her grip. Were she a man, I would have matched it with my own show of power. “I’m Dr. Lee, and you must be the elusive father, Mr. Merante,” she stated crisply, her smile bearing an air of disapproval.
I reciprocated with a tight smile. “And you must be the doctor incapable of aiding my wife,” I retorted, infusing my voice with a lethal edge.
Millie rose from her seat, joining us to shake Dr. Lee’s hand. “What Gio means is that I still can’t keep any food down.”
Dr. Lee frowned, her gaze sweeping Millie from head to toe. “Have you lost weight since your last visit?”
Millie nodded. “Not much.”
“Mrs. Merante, you’re underweight,” she remarked with a sigh, before shifting her gaze to me. “Unfortunately, my options are limited. I could administer nutrient infusions to help, but beyond that, there’s little to be done.” She returned her attention to Millie. “It’s possible your condition is tied to emotional stress. Have you explored that possibility?”
Millie blanched, and I tensed. Had Millie discussed our personal struggles with the doctor? Her eyes met mine, and she subtly shook her head, indicating she hadn’t divulged much. The doctor must have deduced this from my absence at previous appointments. Regret soured my mouth. Meeting the doctor’s gaze, I maintained a veneer of composure. What transpired behind closed doors was none of her concern.
“I don’t believe that’s the case,” Millie replied, her voice quiet yet resolute. She clasped my hand, and I returned the pressure gently. “We were hoping to find out the baby’s gender today, if possible?”
Dr. Lee nodded. “Please unfasten your dress and recline on the examination bench. I can’t guarantee anything, given the early stage of the pregnancy.”
As the doctor initiated the ultrasound, an inexplicable unease settled in me. I clung to Millie’s hand, but my gaze remained fixed on the monitor. Initially, the screen displayed ambiguous gray and black shapes that shifted incessantly. Then, suddenly, a discernible face materialized delicate features of a nose, ears, and lips. Subsequently, the doctor showcased the hands, a set of ten minuscule fingers, followed by the feet. The realization hit me like a ton of bricks a fully formed human, our child, resided within Millie. The doctor zoomed in on the area between the legs, a smile gracing her lips. “I can’t guarantee certainty until later stages, but it appears to be a girl.”
Relief washed over me like a tide. A girl. A miniature version of Millie. Not a boy who might inherit the darkness within me a darkness I would be compelled to nurture in order for him to survive in our Famiglia.
Millie squeezed my hand, and I turned to her. Her smile was infectious. I offered a subtle nod, aware of the doctor’s gaze on me. “It’s important for your wife to get as much rest as possible. The baby is still developing, but if she continues losing weight, hospitalization might be necessary for safety.”
I gave a curt nod. “She’ll regain her weight, don’t worry.”
~*~
After our appointment, we made our way back to the penthouse. The prospect of an hour-long drive to the Hamptons seemed daunting, especially since Millie appeared exhausted. There was an inkling in me that she preferred returning to our apartment. Over the past few weeks, she had practically taken up residence in the Hamptons, leaving the city life behind.
As we stepped into the penthouse, I observed Millie’s demeanor. There was a palpable sense of relief in her as she stepped onto the rooftop terrace, her gaze sweeping over the sprawling cityscape. I came up behind her, enfolding her in my arms, my heart still skipping a beat at the sight of her growing belly. “How about we order some sushi and just unwind on the couch?” I suggested, hoping to offer her some comfort.
She shot me a look, her hand resting gently atop mine. Confused, I raised an eyebrow.
Amusement danced in her eyes. “Men can be quite oblivious, you know. I can’t have raw fish or meat while I’m pregnant. And it’s safer to avoid anything uncooked, just in case the restaurant isn’t meticulous about hygiene.”
I chuckled confidently. “Trust me, if I ask them to take extra precautions, they will. I wouldn’t let anything jeopardize you or our daughter.”
Millie smiled knowingly. “I know.” She turned around in my arms, her hand caressing my cheek. “My tough mobster.”
Suppressing a laugh, I remarked, “You’re the only one who teases me like that.” I leaned in closer, letting my voice drop to a dangerously low tone I reserved for those who crossed me. “I am bad, and moreover, I am the Capo.”
Millie shivered, but it wasn’t fear that caused it. She wrapped her arms around me, burying her face against my chest. “God, I’ve missed this,” she admitted.
I tenderly stroked her hair, my touch trailing down the curve of her spine, making her shiver again, and draw her even nearer.
“You need to eat,” I reminded her, even though my desire had different plans. She nodded, still not moving from our embrace. “How about pasta? That should be safe for the baby, right?”
“Gnocchi a la Genovese for me,” she answered without hesitation. “And maybe one of those delightful almond cakes. Are we getting it from Da Daniele’s?”
I couldn’t help but smile. “Absolutely.”