Fifteen minutes of sitting in some bland, overly modernized waiting room later and a tech finally calls her back into the office hallway. Hazel eyes pass over nondescript artwork and another more obviously pregnant woman awaiting her own appointment with a partner in tow. Sheâd briefly considered asking Ryan if he felt up to joining for the mental security, but at the risk of being too independent for her own good, Diana ultimately knew that it was a path she needed to travel alone. The doctor begins with all of the anticipated yet probing questions, attempting to learn more about her newest patient before nailing down precisely when this little mistake happened. Date of last period, when she believes conception happened, if she considered all options available.Â
Do you have a relationship to the father? If not, we can run a genetic test for abnormalities when youâre farther along to waive any concerns. No pressure, of course.
âHe had to work today and couldnât make it.â She lies so smoothly itâs almost believable, lifting her shirt as instructed before cold ultrasound liquid hits her abdomen. In true Diana fashion, she doesnât flinch like some inhuman robot and instead glances over to where her phone rests on an empty chair. âActually,â her voice trails for a moment, lost in thought. âWould you mind if I FaceTimed him?â The doctor gives gently encouraging permission whilst passing over the small device, revealing a kind of softness that is lost on someone born into a life of barbed wire.Â
Diana wonders if heâll even answer after two vacant rings, half-tempted to hang up altogether, when his face appears and any hesitancy dissipates at the sight. Despite the anguish of their most recent conversation, this is who she needs right now. âHey, Iâm at the doctorâs.â She assumes that by picking up at all, Jesse went and found himself somewhere to be alone, but the words are enough explanation that heâll need at least a few minutes for himself.Â
In the last month, the Marino male has kicked his own ass into gear and has embedding himself into his job. Acting as if his conversation with Rami never happened and that there wasnât a single thing wrong with him. He took a few moments out of his day to send a few Tinder messages to Jaime to check on her and the baby but he doesnât ever text about what their last conversation was about and in fact it probably seems colder that way.Â
Standing in the garage of the compound with a cigarette between his index finger and thumb, Jesse stares at some spot on the wall. He plans on smoking down the cigarette then checking in with head of security at one of the local Ozdemir businesses to make sure nothing shady is happening. Itâs only a matter of time before the Bratva points their finger towards them about New Years and strikes back. His phone buzzes against his leg causing him to glance towards the garage door then to his pocket. He reaches into pocket with his free hand, pulling out the device to see a video request from Diana.
Itâs the first time heâll see her since their conversation at the warehouse. He walks towards the back door to the outside, pushing back against it and swiping his thumb across the screen to answer the video call. Before he can say a word, sheâs telling him where she is. He nods his head as he glances over his shoulder as he walks to his car. He drops the cigarette on the ground, stepping on it and pulling his car keys out. He unlocks the car and gets into the driverâs seat, locking the door behind him as he drifts his gaze to her. ââ Iâm here.â