Total pages in book: 88
Estimated words: 86632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 86632 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 433(@200wpm)___ 347(@250wpm)___ 289(@300wpm)
Gavin nodded.
“Are you two a couple? No, no…you said you were frenemies.”
I felt my cheeks heat. “He’s a friend of mine, and we’re also best friends with the parents.”
“Will they be joining us for this?”
Gavin spoke that time. “No, they’re both in court right now. They couldn’t get out of it. They’re lawyers, not criminals.” Gavin smiled. “In case you were wondering.”
Bouncing her gaze between us, the doctor finally nodded and shut the file. “I’m happy to let you know that the implantation worked—you’re pregnant.”
It took a few seconds for her words to fully sink in.
“It…it worked?”
She smiled. “It did. I see this was the first time, so that’s wonderful news.”
Gavin laughed again, but it wasn’t his usual laugh. More like a nervous laugh. “Looks like you’re a fertile myrtle!”
The doctor chuckled at Gavin’s joke.
My free hand went to my stomach. “I’m pregnant? You’re sure?”
“I’m positive.”
Turning to Gavin, I wasn’t sure if I wanted to laugh or cry. He grinned that megawatt smile of his…and kissed me on the forehead.
The gesture was so sweet, it broke the dam I’d built up, hoping to keep my emotions at bay—no matter the news—and I started to cry.
“Hey, hey,” he said, cupping my face in his hands. “Why are you crying? This is good. It’s really good.”
“I’m just…so…relieved it…worked!”
He smiled again and looked at the doctor. “Is there anything she needs to do?”
“She should have received all the handouts beforehand. Just make sure you review the ones for healthy eating, and you’ll want to go ahead and make an appointment with your OB.”
“OB?” Gavin asked.
“Obstetrician. I imagine you and the biological parents have agreed on an OB?”
I nodded. “Yes. Yes, I’m seeing my own. Um, the mom, the biological mom, also sees her as well.”
“Perfect then. Well, the only other thing I can offer now is congratulations.”
Gavin pulled the chair out, and I dropped onto it.
“Are you okay?” he asked, sitting opposite me. “You haven’t said a word since we left the clinic.”
Lifting my head, I met his gaze. “I’m pregnant.”
He smiled. “I know.”
I could feel the tears building once again, and I blinked rapidly. Gavin noticed because he reached across the table and took my hand. “Happy tears?”
“No, nervous tears. Did-I-do-the-right-thing tears.”
“What does your heart tell you?”
Running my finger along the circle pattern on the tablecloth, I replied, “That I’m doing the right thing.”
“But?”
Slowly, I let out a breath and met his gaze again. “I don’t know. Maybe I’m just scared.”
“I would think that’s normal. I mean, take out the fact that you’re carrying someone else’s baby, I’d think it would still be scary for any woman.”
I nodded. “I suppose so.”
The waitress walked up to the table and smiled at us before she looked at me. “Can I start you off with something to drink?”
“Water for me, please.”
When she turned to Gavin, he asked her for a Coke. After the waitress left to get our drinks, I opened the menu, then immediately lowered it.
“Can I ask you a question, and do you promise to be serious, not make a stupid joke?”
He peeked over his menu. “Excuse me, but none of my jokes are stupid.”
“Gavin.”
Setting the menu down, he leaned back. “Ask away.”
“Do you think Evelyn will be okay with seeing me carrying her baby?”
His brows drew in. “Do you mean do I think she’ll be upset or jealous?”
“Yes. How do you think she’s going to handle it?” Taking a moment to think about his answer, he slowly exhaled. “It might make her upset knowing she wasn’t able to carry the baby herself, but I think once she holds him or her in her arms, she’ll forget all about how she felt during the pregnancy.”
Chewing on my lower lip, I nodded. “I don’t know if I should talk about it. Like…do I share with her if I’m sick, or when I feel the baby move for the first time? She’ll miss all of that, and I don’t know how to make her feel like she’s a part of it.”
“Bry, she’s not going to be able to be with you a hundred percent of the time. You’re going to experience a lot of things without her but looking at it from Denny’s point of view…if I were the father, I’d want to know how you were feeling, what’s happening…no matter how big or how little. I would imagine Evelyn will too.”
I sighed. “I just don’t know how much to share without upsetting her.”
“Is there someone more knowledgeable you could talk to about it?”
The waitress came back over with our drinks and set them down. She quickly took our orders and then hurried off once again.
“To answer your question, yes. There’s a therapist I’m assigned to. I can call her anytime and talk.”
“Have you talked to her about this?”
“No.” I shook my head. “I just thought about it on the way over here. This is great news, and I know Evelyn and Denny will be happy, but if the roles were reversed, I think I’d be so upset that I was missing out on all those firsts.”