Total pages in book: 137
Estimated words: 128307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 128307 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 642(@200wpm)___ 513(@250wpm)___ 428(@300wpm)
“Thank you.” Grayson doesn’t correct her assumption that he is my unborn child’s father. “Is there any chance we could get a copy of that?”
When he looks up at the monitor showing my unborn baby’s cute face, the technician smiles. “Of course.” She clicks a handful of buttons on the ultrasound machine. While it prints out the image Grayson selected, she wipes the gel off my stomach and then helps me sit. “The doctor will be in shortly to discuss the results.” She hands Grayson the photo she printed out for him, dips her chin in farewell, and then leaves the room.
After ogling the image like a proud papa-to-be, Grayson places his hand on top of mine and gives it a gentle squeeze. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah…” I ought to leave it there, but my fear won’t let me. “I’m a little scared.”
“Of what?” Grayson eyes me cautiously. “The technician said everything looks good.”
“I’m not worried about that.” I flash him the same grateful look the technician gave him. “I’m more worried about how that”—I jerk my chin to the monitor still showing my baby’s adorable face—“is going to fit out of there.” This time, I wave my hand to my vagina.
Grayson laughs, and it instantly appeases my worry. “I understand your concern. He has a pretty big head.”
“Or maybe she has a big brain.”
He clutches his chest as if maimed. “If you missed the instrument your son is carrying between his legs, I’ll need to purchase a magnifying glass before stripping naked in front of you again. It was unmissable.” Before I can articulate any of the wicked thoughts in my head, Grayson murmurs, “I’ll happily accept any daddy title they wish to hand me if it will have them believing that came from me.” He nudges his head back to the monitor.
Now that he’s pointed it out, it is pretty apparent that my unborn child is a boy.
My eyes slide back to Grayson when he asks, “Are you sure we didn’t have a sneaky hookup eight months ago? I’m seeing a family resemblance.”
I wish.
I realize I said my statement out loud when Grayson’s grin stretches from ear to ear. Mercifully, the doctor arrives before I can decipher why he seems more pleased than repulsed.
“Good news.” The obstetrician looks up from my medical chart. “The ultrasound shows that everything is fine. The baby is healthy, and there appears to be no complications from the fall.”
I sigh with relief as the tension bunched in my shoulders slips away. “Thank you, Doctor.”
The loose skin under his chin wobbles before his expression turns serious. “However, I need to caution you. The baby’s head is already engaged, which means you could be close to giving birth. If you don’t want to go into preterm labor, you need to take it easy over the next few weeks. Bed rest is recommended.”
I scoff before shaking my head. “Bed rest? I can’t lie around all day. I have imperative matters to take care of.”
Grayson gives me a stern look that thickens my tongue. “You need to listen to the doctor. Your health and the baby’s health are the most important things right now.”
Even knowing he is right, I roll my eyes before lying through my teeth. “Fine, I’ll take it easy.”
I’m the world’s worst liar, though only Grayson can sniff that out.
“I know it won’t be easy, but it is for the best.” The doctor appears pleased that I am willing to follow his orders. “If you have any concerns or if anything changes, don’t hesitate to come back.”
Nodding, I thank the doctor again. As he leaves the room, Grayson helps me off the examination table and then guides our walk out of the room.
As we make our way past many private suites, I spot a familiar face in the waiting area of the maternity unit. My heart skips a beat, and I grab Grayson’s arm. “Grayson, look.”
He follows my gaze, his wide eyes narrowing when he sees Samuel, the man we took down only days ago, sitting in a chair, looking surprisingly relaxed. “What the hell is he doing here? And how is he already out on bail?”
Anger surges through me. “This can’t be right. A judge wouldn’t have granted him bail.”
Grayson stops my stomps to Samuel by grabbing my arm. “No, Macy. You’re on bed rest.”
“This is important.”
“I understand it’s important, but your health is more significant.”
He’s placing me first, and although I should hate him for it, I don’t. The tide is shifting between us, and I’m seconds from being swept out to sea.
Grayson is already pulling me over to his side of the fence, but he tugs me fully over with a heartfelt pledge. “I will look into his release. I promise.”
Although I’m desiring a fight, I know he’s right. Placing myself in a situation that might induce premature delivery will jeopardize my baby’s health. I also risk breaking the promise I made to myself about Kendall meeting my child when he’s still a baby. So instead of marching up to Samuel and putting him back under arrest, I surrender.