Maja's baby bump was starting to show, and lan, not one to take any chances, had scheduled a check-up at the hospital for the

next day. He wanted everything to be thoroughly examined.

"Beck tookfor a check-up before, it's not necessary," Maja protested gently.

"Let's do it again, I'll be with you this time."

lan knew that if they overlooked this check-up, Maja would be the one to suffer later, and he couldn't bear the thought of that.

Maja finally nodded in agreement, watching as he busily researched on his phone, poring over what foods she should eat and what

to avoid.

He'd only recently been brought back into the picture, and the role of a soon-to-be father had him frazzled, unsure of what to do.

His only recourse was calling the doctor for advice and scouring the intefor information.

He even secretly joined a dads-to-be group, behind Maja's back.

The group was a mixed bag of about thirty guys, all strangers to each other.

The usual banter was about their wives, and lan intended to ask for tips on soothing Maja's mood swings during pregnancy, but the

group was already abuzz with their own tales.

[Pregnancy is such a , man. One minute it's pickles, the next it's ice cream. I'm slammed at work and now I've gotta cater to

her whims, too. My mom was right; you can't be too nice to women, or they'll walk all over you,] one complained.

still bikes over dinner toafter her shift. Doesn't seem like a

shrugged.

crazy. Women think they're princesses. Our mothers didn't even step

healthy babies.]

darkened as he

story about the wife biking meals to her husband after a night shift that got him. The husband

was normal.

story. A pregnant

typed, [If you're so capable, why don't

a

the family name, why would I need her? Plenty of women out there willing to have my

and after two girls, I didn't

is just a lapdog. But what's the point of being a

in disbelief. How on

group immediately and reported

on his

the

in a group chat. I've made our appointment;

"Okay."

over and gently rubbed her belly, full of anticipation. Boy or

awake by 1 AM, his skin crawling with an unbearable

into pain.

he rose to cover Maja with a blanket before heading

it was accompanied by an excruciating pain that seemed to be getting

wrapped in a robe. lan had only recently returned, and Jeff had

bedroom, so lan's nighttjogging was

Jeff inquired,

his blood was boiling. Barely holding himself together, he managed, "Water,

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