Chapter 40

While Liz was packing her suitcase, Henry was talking with his mother-in-law:

"My parents really want to host a dinner to celebrate our engagement, and they're hoping you'll attend. Can I confirm your presence?"

"I still don't feel like leaving the house."

"Look, tomorrow we're traveling because Liz needs to see her doctor for her checkups. So, I was thinking: Liz and I will go to her place, she'll see her doctor, take care of any pending issues at work that only she can resolve, and then we'll pack up her things that need to be moved. Once everything is ready, we'll stop by here, pick you up along with anyone else from the family who wants to go, and head home. It would be great because you could help Liz with the decoration of our house (which we've already chosen). Liz must have shown you already. Then, you can decide whether you want to return right away or stay for her birthday and our wedding."

"I promise I'll think about it while you're away. If I decide to go with you, I'll call ahead so we can buy the ticket for the same flight."

"Agreed, everything will work out fine. And my mother will be very happy. She's always complaining about feeling lonely because my father and I are always working."

"It was the same here. My luck is that I have all our families nearby."

"That's great. It will help her a lot."

"Now let me go check on my fiancée. She's probably fallen asleep again," Henry said with a smile as he went upstairs to see how Liz was doing.

The next night, they traveled. By morning, they were already home. Liz opened the door and invited Henry inside. He then said, "So this is where you've been hiding from me all this time? You wouldn't let me visit. Were you that angry with me while I was suffering, in love, and far from you?"

She replied, "You silly man, why didn't you take the risk and come sooner? I was also suffering here, alone and in love with you."

"But I heard you had some admirers hanging around, and that drove me crazy."

"And what do you think I felt when I saw you in magazines with those beautiful women?"

"I wasn't with anyone. These sensationalist photographers just take whatever photos they want—cheap gossip. And some of these women just want to be in the spotlight. But not a single day went by when you weren't on my mind. I only wanted to be by your side. And you know I would never lie to you."

"And I don't even know why we're talking about this," Liz said as she hugged him. "What matters is that we're together now. We're going to get married and have our beautiful baby."

"And you make me the happiest man in the world."

"And I'm the happiest woman in the world."

"From now on, let's only remember the good times we've had and what we'll experience together from now on," Liz said, and Henry agreed by kissing her.

At that moment, she said she was going to get ready for their appointment, as it was almost time.

They both got ready and went to the clinic.

At the office, Liz introduced them: "This is Henry, my fiancé, the future dad."

Henry added, "The dad who's eager to find out if it's a boy or a girl."

The doctor smiled and said that she believed by the next appointment they should be able to find out.

"First, let's look at your test results, and then you can get changed for the exam."

"All right," Liz replied.

"Look, Liz, your tests look good. You just have a mild anemia and vitamin deficiency, which I had already prescribed supplements for. Are you taking them?"

"These last few difficult days, I've been a bit careless, but I'll take them every day from now on."

"Yes, I heard about it. I saw the news in the paper. I'm so sorry."

"Thank you," Liz replied with a sad look.

"I've been very sleepy and tired. Wherever I sit, I fall asleep. Is that normal?"

"I'll prescribe a diet for you. Foods rich in iron, proteins, and carbohydrates—high-energy foods. And stay hydrated throughout the pregnancy. If you don't eat properly, the fatigue can get worse. We'll also look into some physical activity. At least a 30-minute walk to start with, but stay within your limits. Don't overdo it. And if anything comes up, just give me a call."

"Well, I'm moving back to my place. I just came here to take care of some things, and I'll return when the project is finished."

"That's too bad. I'll miss having you as my patient."

"Now, go get changed so we can check on the baby."

Henry listened quietly to everything.

When Liz left to change, he asked the doctor if he should be worried about the anemia, vitamin deficiency, and the fatigue and sleepiness that left her unable to even sit down.

She replied that Liz had gone through many emotional ups and downs at the start of her pregnancy and needed peace, rest, and tranquility. "I'm sure you'll help her with that."

Henry replied, "Absolutely."

"And soon we'll be sending out the wedding invitations."

Liz returned, and the doctor examined her. "Now let's do the ultrasound so Dad can hear his baby's heartbeat."

After the appointment, Henry left the office feeling very emotional. Liz hugged him, and they walked out hand in hand to grab something to eat at the café next door, as Liz said she was starving.