“She wanted me to bring you back while Dr. Wilson does the pelvic ultrasound,” the receptionist said as she led Shane down the hallway, stopping at the midpoint and nodding. “Right in here.”

Shane knocked on the closed door and was greeted by Dr. Margaret Wilson.

“You must be Shane,” she said, extending her hand.

Shane reached out to shake Dr. Wilson’s hand, looking over the physician’s shoulder at Tina lying on the exam table.

“Excuse me for one moment while I get a monitor,” Dr. Wilson said, walking out and leaving the two women alone.

“What’s wrong?” Shane asked, closing the distance between herself and Tina in two purposeful strides.

“Will you stay here with me while she does this ultrasound? I don’t think I could handle it by myself if”

“Shhhhh. Everything’s going to be fine.” Shane reached down to take Tina’s hand.

Shane continued to hold onto Tina’s hand while Dr. Wilson set up the monitor, dimmed the lights, and lubricated the ultrasound wand.

“Okay, Tina. Now I need you to take a deep breath, let it out, and relax for me,” Dr. Wilson said gently.

Tina inhaled deeply and exhaled, closing her eyes as Dr. Wilson inserted the wand.

“There we go. Good. You’re doing very well. Now, I’m going to move over a little to the left. And now a little more. There Tina, open your eyes and take a look at the monitor,” Dr. Wilson said.

Tina turned her head toward the ultrasound monitor, laughing through her tears when she saw the fluttering heartbeat of her baby on the screen.

“That’s the heart,” Tina smiled, pointing it out to Shane. “Look at it

beating.”

Shane shook her head, awestruck.

“Wonderful. Everything is proceeding right on schedule and you’re both exactly where you should be,” Dr. Wilson assured.

“Thank you,” Tina said, squeezing Shane’s hand. “Thank you so much.”

As they stood at the receptionist’s desk a few minutes later, waiting to schedule Tina’s 16-week visit, Shane leaned closer to Tina, asking, “Would you like me to come with you next time? Because I’d really be honored to do that.” And it became their standing date.

At some point between week 12 and week 16, Shane bought a copy of What to Expect When You’re Expecting, hoping to get a better understanding of what Tina was going through since Tina herself offered so few specifics. Shane tried to do the things for Tina that she imagined Bette might have done. Doting, nurturing, care-giving things. But Shane was not nave. She knew that she could never really be a substitute for Bette. Not in all of the ways that Tina needed. So she reminded herself that she was merely a placeholder. A stand in. And that someday-maybe someday soon if Tina and Bette’s cohabitation went well-she could be replaced by the one she’d been replacing. But for now, Tina needed her. And that was all she cared about.

“Tina Kennard,” the receptionist said. “You’re in Room 4 today.”

Shane smiled at Tina, stood up, and extended a hand to help her out of the chair.