The Reveal

On Monday, Rhett called the town's only doctor and was able to get Hazel in that day. He left work early to pick her up and she was in the bathroom laying on the floor again when he got there. He scooped her up in his arms and said, “This is crazy Hazel. We’re gonna go see that doctor and he’s gonna give you something.”

“No drugs Rhett. I mean it. I’m not going to take anything that might hurt our baby. I have some remedies in my bag. I just don’t think I need them yet.”

Rhett started carrying her down the stairs and then put her down once they got to the kitchen. Hazel looked awful, she was paler than normal and her eyes were a bit sunken. “This can’t be good for the baby either. You’re gonna do whatever that doctor says.”

The drive there was awful. The dizziness amplified every nauseating bump in the road.

When they got to the doctors office, they were escorted immediately to a room by the nurse. The doctor came in and set up the ultrasound machine and asked Hazel to lay back. He squirted gel onto her belly then began rolling the scanner across her lower abdomen. “Bingo,” said Dr. Greene. “See those little beans with the arms and legs. Those are your pups, Alpha Cameron.”

Rhett wiped his hand across his mouth and laughed. “Goddamn, look how small they are sweetheart," he said as he looked at Hazel. She had tears running down her cheek and she wiped them away quickly as she smiled at Rhett then looked back at the screen. “Wait, did you say pups?”asked Rhett as he caught what the doctor had said.

Hazel laughed out loud and she said, “That’s what he said Rhett.” Then Rhett laughed. “Holy shit Hazel,” he said as he ran his fingers through his hair.

Dr. Green wiped off Hazel’s stomach then helped her sit up again. “So how’s everything going?”

“She has wicked morning sickness Doc,” said Rhett. “Is there something you can give her?”

“Well yes, but it’s not really something you want to do all the time and it probably won’t work really well. This is normal for most women. As long as her weight stays stable, try not to worry too much,” said Dr. Greene.

“Damn. She just has to live like this?” asked Rhett.

Dr. Greene answered, “Afraid so.”

“But everything looks good though, doesn’t it?” asked Hazel as Dr. Greene gave her the still photos from the ultrasound.

“It does Hazel, congratulations to both of you. Now if anything changes, if your morning sickness gets worse, if you don’t start picking up some weight, let me know. Otherwise, I’ll see you in a month,” said Dr. Greene.

When they got home, the delivery man was right behind them. Rhett’s little present had arrived. He opened the door to let Hazel out of the car then signed for the delivery. Hazel went inside the house and went up stairs to change into something more comfortable. Rhett sat down on the couch and opened the box. He smiled from ear to ear as he took the tiara out and inspected it. It was perfect.

Hazel came back downstairs, wrapped herself in her blanket and sat besdie Rhett. “What on Earth is that?” she asked laughing.

“It’s your baby present Hazel.”

“My baby present. Oh dear. Let’s see it then,” said Hazel.

Rhett placed it on her head and then took a picture with his phone and showed it to her.

“You really are the best, Rhett. I hope you know how much I mean that.”

"Now maybe you can give me my present," Rhett said as he leaned over and kissed Hazel's cheek.

"Go on," she said.

Rhett’s phone began to ring and he looked at the ID then sighed heavily. “What is it?” asked Hazel.

“It’s my mother.”

“Well, answer it then,” said Hazel. “You said once you gave her grandchildren that she may change her mind about me. Give her a chance Rhett.”

Rhett looked at Hazel and he blinked a few times then answered. “Hey Mom.”

“Yeah. No, why don’t you come here instead. Right, that’s fine. Ok, see you then.” Rhett ended his call and then set the phone down on the table.

“And?” Hazel said.

“She’s coming over tomorrow for dinner. Listen Hazel, I don’t want you getting your hopes up. She’s my mother and I know her pretty goddamn well. She wasn’t a great mother, she’s probably going to be a terrible grandmother. And I can’t guarantee she’s ever going to warm up to you. I don’t want you getting your feelings hurt.”

“I won’t Rhett. I just think we need to give it a fair shot. The ball’s in her court now. If she can’t accept all this and be civil, then you can cut her off completely if it makes you feel at ease,” said Hazel.

Rhett came home early the next evening and brought dinner with him from a local restaurant. Hazel wasn’t much in the mood for cooking thanks to her blinding nausea.

“Thanks so much Rhett. I’m not sure how I’m going to make it through this evening. I feel terrible.”

Rhett wrapped his arms around Hazel and said, “Well then, that’ll give us an excuse to kick her old ass out.” Then, he leaned down and kissed Hazel.

“Alright daddy, I’m going to go get a quick shower and brush my teeth... again,” said Hazel.

“You want a hand with that sweetheart?” asked Hazel.

“Maybe later, if you behave yourself.”

As soon as Hazel went upstairs, Rhett began setting the table and warming up the food. As he passed by the refrigerator, he saw the ultrasound photos that Hazel put up yesterday. He ran his fingers over it and said, “Daddy loves you guys.”

There was a knock at the door and when Rhett answered it, it was his mother. Typical. She was a woman who liked to stir the pot, and he was pretty sure she wasn’t expecting him to answer the door. Rhett was really happy now that he left work early or Hazel would have to deal with his mother for an hour or so all alone.

“Come in mom,” Rhett said as he stood aside.

She walked through, took off her coat and handed it to Rhett. Rhett hung it on the hook beside the door and said, “Make yourself at home. Hazel’s upstairs getting ready.”

“Getting ready? What’s she been doing all day? I mean look she didn’t even cook the meal,” said Janice.

Rhett sighed and rubbed the back of his neck, “Don’t fucking start. Hazel’s not feeling well but for some reason she felt like having dinner with you so be nice or you can leave now.”

“I’m just saying that it’s not really an alpha’s job to set the damn table and take care of dinner when his wife sits around all day and doesn’t do anything,” said Janice.

Rhett spoke louder this time, “Alright let's get some shit straight right now. Hazel’s pregnant and she has morning sickness. She’s sick all goddamn day and can’t stand the smell of food so I picked up dinner so she wouldn’t have to cook. I swear if you do anything to upset her tonight, that’ll be the last time you ever set foot in my house.”

Hazel walked into the kitchen just as he said that, and gave him a crooked smile then walked over and kissed his cheek. Rhett pulled her close into his side then said, “Hazel, this is my mother Janice.”

“Lovely to meet you properly this time, madam,” said Hazel.