“I hope you do.” Kresley settled back in her chair, a satisfied smile on her face. She was always so sweet and diplomatic—I almost never argued with her because she was so good at getting her point across.
A quick knock sounded on the door and a middle-aged woman stuck her head inside. “Ms. Davenport?”
“Hi. Yeah. That’s me.” I shifted in the bed and struggled to extend a hand.
“I’m Dr. Strand.” She took a few steps and shook my hand gingerly, then looked over at Kresley. “Do you mind stepping out while I talk to your friend?”
“It’s okay,” I said, flexing my fingers around Kresley’s, her hand solid and comforting in mind. “She can stay.”
“Not a problem.” Dr. Strand reached behind her for the rolling stool and sat down. Every movement was brisk and efficient, and I felt a little more relaxed knowing that she was in charge. “So you fainted at work. Can you walk me through what happened?”
“I was really busy all morning and didn’t eat lunch because my stomach was a little bit…off,” I explained. “I was working with a customer and got lightheaded, so I started walking to my office to sit and—”
“Hit the floor,” Kresley interrupted. “Our friend caught her and we woke her back up and dumped some juice into her, then I drove her here.”
“Yep.” I nodded in agreement. “That’s about it.”
Dr. Strand glanced down at the tablet she held in her hand. “Well, we checked your blood sugar and iron, and it looks like you were having some hypoglycemia and you’re a little bit anemic. When you’re pregnant, the hypoglycemia especially can sneak up on you fast, so it’s important to eat regularly.”
I felt the blood drain from my face. “I’m sorry—did you say pregnant?”
Her eyes on me felt kind and understanding. “Yes, your urine sample showed that you’re pregnant. Is that good news?”
“I…I don’t know,” I said faintly. “I’ve never thought about being pregnant before.”
Kresley laid a gentle hand on my shoulder and rubbed reassuringly. “It’s okay,” she said quietly. “Everything’s going to be fine.”
Dr. Strand scooted a little bit closer. “Do you need any additional support at home? There are some resources available to you as a pregnant woman and I would be happy to get a social worker in here.”
My head dropped back on the pillow as my thoughts spun out of control. “Yeah, I think I’m okay. I just—how? I’ve been on birth control pills forever.”
Dr. Strand shrugged. “Birth control pills are usually pretty much foolproof if they’re used as directed, but people aren’t perfect. Maybe you missed a pill or were a few hours late taking one, and an egg slipped past the security. It happens.”
I reached down and touched my lower belly.
Pregnant.
With Denton’s baby.
My belly was flat—concave, really—after my recent weight loss, but if everything went according to schedule, I would be a mother in about eight months.
“I’ve never thought about having a baby.” I looked over at Kresley, whose eyes were still wide with surprise. “Guess you’re going to be an aunt.”
A smile broke on her beautiful face. “I guess so.”
Denton, I thought. “Is Denton on his way?”
Kresley nodded. “Frankie called him—”
Before she could finish her answer, the door banged open and there he was. Relief whooshed through me as he rushed over to the bed and bent down to drop a kiss on my forehead.
“Baby,” he breathed, worry etching his handsome features. “Are you okay?”
Under my spread fingers, I felt my belly tense up with nervousness because I had no idea how Denton would feel about this unexpected, and life changing news. “I am. Yeah. Just hypoglycemia and some other stuff.”
Dr. Strand stood up and motioned for Kresley. “Let’s give you two some privacy. I’ll get your discharge papers for you and the nurse will be back in a few minutes to get you on your way.”
I hardly noticed as the two of them retreated, shutting the door quietly behind them. Denton carefully sat on the bed next to me and wrapped me in his big, warm arms. A tear trickled out of the corner of my eye as I drank in his size, his presence, his warmth and his love.