Book 2: Old and New

Lex

Opal is having her first ultrasound today. She initially refuses to let me come with her to the appointment. I manage to sway her into letting me be there since she has no one else to accompany her. Her brother is in the dungeon of Castle Graystone, and her father is too busy to give her his time for this.

“You’re not the real father,” she insists. “I’m only being gracious by letting you be here.”

“Of course,” I agree to whatever she wants to avoid any conflict. “I’m here as a supporting ‘uncle’ to your child.”

Her blue eyes narrow in annoyance. “You are the uncle.”

I blink innocently like a baby deer. “Of course, I am.”

She would probably have cursed me out if the doctor hadn’t started with the ultrasound then. He spreads a clear gel on Opal’s stomach, moving the transducer probe over her skin gently. The image on the monitor looks like a grainy blob. I can barely make out any shape.

“And that’s the head,” Dr. Smythe sa