Total pages in book: 41
Estimated words: 41635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 41635 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 208(@200wpm)___ 167(@250wpm)___ 139(@300wpm)
I can’t wait to get started.
21
Ruby
One Year Later
“Maria! He got out again!”
I stand in the doorway of exam room two as Mateo pulls out a big wad of gauze and throws it on the floor, giggling.
“Oh, crap, I’m so sorry,” Maria says, hurrying into the room. “Mateo, stop that,” she says to the little boy.
He giggles as Maria scoops him up into her arms.
“He’s going to be the death of me,” she says as she walks past.
“He’s pretty cute, though,” I say.
“Cute death, but still death.”
Mateo gives me a big smile and giggles again. “Hi!” he says.
“Hi,” I say back, smiling.
“I’ll make sure he stays put,” Maria says.
“It’s okay, I just don’t want him to get hurt back here.”
Maria nods and hurries up front again. She’s one of our regular patients and she’s always bringing her intense little son. Ever since he learned to walk, that boy is a little terror.
I smile to myself as I head back up front. I have some work to take care of, just boring administrative stuff, but nothing ever feels that boring at Spring Garden Family Practice.
Michelle and Rosie sit up front, checking people in and doing paperwork. “Busy today,” I comment, sitting down next to the girls.
Rosie sighs. She’s young, early twenties, with big cheeks and a wide smile. “We’re swamped,” she says.
“When aren’t we swamped?” Michelle asks. She’s older, mother of two, endless energy. “Dr. Hill can’t help himself.”
“He really can’t,” I admit, laughing. “Nobody gets turned away. That’s the point of this place, right?”
“Right,” they say in unison, and laugh.
“Speaking of the good doctor, he was asking about you,” Rosie says. “I think he’s back in exam six.”
“Oh, okay. Is it urgent?”
She shrugs. “He always seems like it’s urgent. You can never tell.”
“True.” I grin and turn away. “All right then. Off to see the wizard.”
I head back down the hall and to the last room on the left. I smile to myself, nodding at some nurses as I pass, and glance down at the ring on my finger.
We got married the day after this place finally opened. It took about two months to get it in shape, and ever since then, we’ve been taking on more and more patients. Aiden refuses to turn anyone away, and people that can’t get paid will still get seen.
He doesn’t care about profit, although of course we’re doing well anyway. Mostly thanks to the rich patients that fly in from all over the country to see him in this tiny little family practice.
He loves it, of course. I love it too. I take care of the front end, and he takes care of the back. Together, we’re running this place the best way we can.
And we’re saving lives. Both poor and rich people get treated here, and those that he can’t take care of in these four walls, he finds doctors that’ll help them. Aiden is becoming a regular old Robin Hood.
I push open the exam room. He’s sitting next to the table, eating a sandwich, and he grins when I come in.
I sigh, shaking my head. “I told you not to eat in the exam rooms,” I say.
“I can’t eat anywhere else in peace,” he complains.
“That’s your own fault.” I shut the door and hop up on the table. He puts his head against my leg. “Tired?”
“Always,” he says.
“Also your fault.”
He gives me a look. “Anything that isn’t my fault?”
“Nope.” I grin and kiss him softly.
He sighs and puts his food down. “I’m glad you’re here. I have your test results back.”
Excitement courses through me. “Really? That fast?”
“That fast. I called in a favor, got it done right away.”
I bite my lip. “I don’t know if I want to know.”
“Sure you do.” He gets up and walks across the room.
Aiden is gorgeous. The way he moves, the way he looks, everything about him is style and grace and masculinity. He’s strong and intense and smart. He’s still an asshole, but I think I’m starting to soften him.
A little bit, at least.
He grabs a clipboard and lifts it up, clearing his throat.
“Well, Mrs. Hill, it looks as though you truly are pregnant.”
I let out a shout and jump to my feet. He grins, dropping the clipboard, and lifts me into the air.
I hug him tight, kissing him deep.
“We need more kids around here,” he says softly. “I guess we’ll have to provide a few.”
“I guess so.”
Excitement runs through me. Pregnant, oh god, freaking pregnant.
We talked about this early on. I wasn’t sure he’d want kids, since he’s older, but he definitely does. We didn’t rush into anything at first, but now, after a year of being married, we’re both ready.
Children. A family. Our practice taking off.
Nothing could be better.
He kisses me slowly, holding me tight. “Wow,” I say softly. “I’m going to have a baby.”