Total pages in book: 68
Estimated words: 64362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 64362 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 322(@200wpm)___ 257(@250wpm)___ 215(@300wpm)
My brows drew together as I frowned, replaying what he’d said, trying to make sense of it.
“Now”—he took the stool across from me and clapped his hands together once—“what makes you think you have cause for concern, other than your age? All your vitals and tests show that you’re in excellent health.”
I glanced at Rome, who looked confused and tense, then back at the doctor.
“Uh, well, I thought—I mean, I’ve had three miscarriages. I haven’t been able to keep a pregnancy past ten weeks.”
“That’s your only concern?” he asked.
I hesitated, then nodded. “Was there another concern I didn’t know about?”
“Ms. Gray,” he said, “women miscarry for no reason all the time, then go on to have healthy pregnancies and babies. I delivered a baby for a woman who had seven miscarriages in four years before she carried a baby full-term. You had a miscarriage at”—he glanced down at his paperwork—“nineteen, twenty-nine, and thirty-two. And it says you were actively trying to get pregnant after getting off birth control the last two times, but”—he lifted his gaze and looked at me questioningly—“I’m assuming the one at nineteen wasn’t planned.”
I didn’t look at Rome, but I felt his gaze on me. I shook my head.
“Didn’t think so.” He shrugged. “The doctors with your last two said you had no health issues and your uterus was fine. It just happens. But you didn’t try again?” he asked.
“No.”
He smiled. “Many circumstances beyond your control could have caused the miscarriages. But you are in a different place in life.” He glanced at Rome. “In a different relationship. I believe you have very good odds in your favor. Let’s get you started on some prenatal vitamins, and my nutritionist will come and go over diet and exercise requirements that are best for you and the baby.” He stood up, then shifted his focus to Rome. “Congratulations to both of you.” He glanced back at me. “And you have my emergency number, correct?”
I nodded. “Yes.”
“I’ll get you scheduled for the ultrasound room down the hall within the hour,” he said, then turned and headed for the door.
When he closed it behind him, I let out a breath I’d been holding and stared straight ahead. I was afraid to believe him, but I wanted to—so badly. To be a mom…but I’d let that dream go.
Rome’s hand slid up my back and into my scalp to massage my head. “I know you’re scared,” he said simply.
I nodded.
“But you have me this time. We can survive anything together.”
I laid my head on his chest. “I know,” I replied. “But if I admit how badly I want this, I’m afraid it’ll be snatched from me.”
“And why is that?”
I shrugged. I didn’t know how to verbalize it.
“You are the most important thing in my life. You are my family. I don’t require anyone but you. If there is an addition, it will be loved just as fiercely, but if not, I have you. You’re all I need.”
25
Salem
Seventeen Years Ago
Mentally calculating the amount of money I had left in my checking account, I debated on the importance of a cup of coffee. I’d woken up at three this morning with another night terror. My roommates weren’t thrilled about it happening yet again for the fourth time this month, but I didn’t know what to do about it. I wasn’t choosing to sit up, screaming in my sleep.
Anyway, current situation—was coffee important enough to spend six dollars on at the coffee shop before my next class? I needed to pay attention in class and not fall asleep, and last class, I had fought off closing my eyes so much that I wasn’t sure if I’d heard everything the professor said. That was one check to yes.
I had to make another payment on my hospital bill in Florida this month. That was a check to no.
I didn’t have to get a bougie cup of coffee from the popular little café. There was a diner I’d passed that had basic coffee for a dollar. That would be the responsible thing to do.
I stopped and turned around to look back and see how far away the diner was. There might be a wait, but I doubted it. Chewing on my bottom lip, I internally struggled.
That vanilla caramel latte was really yummy, and I’d not had breakfast. I was going to work an extra shift for one of my coworkers this weekend who had to be in a wedding. Standing there, I struggled with the decision.
Deciding to live a little, I spun around and took one step when the door to the bank beside me opened and a man came walking out. We were inches from colliding, and I tripped, trying to stop myself.
His hand shot out and grabbed my arm, which was probably the only thing that saved me from face-planting. I already knew my pale skin was bright red. Steadying myself, I smiled and looked up at the man to apologize and thank him.