Three Tiny Heartbeats

[Aera’s POV]

Ayla doesn’t speak as she examines me, trying to figure out exactly what it was that I was getting at, but before she can question me, Hanson returns.

His face is flushed, and sweat beads his skin, making it look like he had just run a marathon.

"Was it that difficult going from here to the hospital?" I ask, eyeing him. "I didn’t think you were in bad shape."

"Watch it," he warns, shooting a glare. "I couldn’t just stroll out of this damn temple and then waltz back in with this." As he speaks, he holds up a box that looks like an old FM radio with a small microphone attached to it. "The elders would certainly ask questions."

"What is that?" Ayla asks, fixing her gaze on the machine.

"It’s a doppler," Hanson explains. "If you would, please lay down and lift your shirt."

At his words, a growl of warning escapes me.

"Is that necessary?" I ask, not wanting another man to lay eyes on even an inch of my woman.

"If you want me to check the baby's heartbeat to make sure it’s sti