Total pages in book: 97
Estimated words: 93140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 93140 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 466(@200wpm)___ 373(@250wpm)___ 310(@300wpm)
“Let’s forget your boyfriend for a minute. How would you feel right now if the man by your side wanted a family? Would you feel differently?”
I didn’t even have to think about that. “Yes. I definitely would. Don’t get me wrong, I’d still be in shock. But I want a family someday. I didn’t think that would be nine months from now. But if the man I loved wanted children, I’d be okay with it, I think.”
We passed another nursing station, and the nurse pushing me said hello to a few people. She waited until we’d passed before resuming our conversation. “So your only real concern here is how your boyfriend is going to take the news.”
I thought about it. “Yes. I think so.”
“Do you love him?”
I took a deep breath in and exhaled. It probably should have taken me longer to answer that question, but love wasn’t something that needed to be analyzed. You either did or you didn’t. I nodded. “I do.”
“Does he love you?”
I thought back to the worry on his face in the emergency room. He’d seemed truly terrified that I might be hurt. The way he’d looked at me lately had changed, too. I’d find him watching me with a smile when he didn’t think I was paying attention, and the other morning I woke to him watching me sleep. “Neither of us have said the words, but I think he does.”
“Obviously, under the law you have choices. But it sounds like you want a family and you love the baby’s father. I know I’m oversimplifying things, but it seems to me like there’s only one choice in this matter, and it’s your boyfriend’s—whether or not he wants to be with you and your baby more than he wants to be alone.”
***
I stared out the window from my uncomfortable hospital bed, watching the sun come up. I’d barely slept last night. The x-ray showed I had a clean fracture, which meant no resetting of bones or surgery, and they’d come to cast my arm shortly after midnight. Grant had stayed by my side until I practically pushed him out the door. If he’d had his way, he would have slept in the chair and stayed all night. But with so much to think about, I couldn’t quiet my mind enough to fall asleep even after he was gone. I dozed off and on, mostly.
Mia was an early riser, so I thought about calling her. But it didn’t feel right to tell her about the pregnancy before I’d told Grant, even though she was my best friend.
Grant knocked on my hospital room door at seven a.m. He had two cups of coffee and was dressed casually.
He set the coffee down on the portable food tray and leaned down to kiss my forehead. “Morning. How’s my girl?”
My heart squeezed, and I had to force a smile. “Good. Tired.”
“Did you sleep at all?”
“Not much.”
“That’s understandable. Between the accident and being in this place…then the cast. You’ll get some sleep when we get you home.”
“The day nurse came by a little while ago and said it would probably be a few hours before my discharge was ready.”
Grant took one of the coffees, peeled back the tab to open it, and handed it to me.
Without thinking, I brought it to my lips and almost drank. But caffeine. I shouldn’t have that. Setting the coffee back on the tray, I said, “I think I’m going to skip coffee this morning. I don’t want the caffeine keeping me awake later.”
Great. Now I’m a liar and an information withholder.
“Good idea. I picked up some plastic cast shields in the pharmacy downstairs. Doc said you shouldn’t get it wet, and I figured you’d want to take a shower when you got home. Maybe a nice hot bath.”
“Thank you. That does sound good.” Though…oh my God. Could I even take a bath? I honestly knew nothing about pregnancies or babies. And the thought of doing this alone made me feel like I might break out in hives. I scratched my face.
“I spoke to my sister on the ride over and mentioned what happened. She said no problem covering you for however long you need.”
I forced a smile. “That’s sweet. But I definitely will be back at work tomorrow. It’s just a broken bone and a small cut.” And a pregnancy.
Grant frowned. “You should take it easy. You were banged up pretty good. You’re going to be achy, if you’re not already. They need to give you muscle relaxers or something for pain.”
Yet another thing I can’t do. So I simply nodded.
For the next few hours, Grant sat by my side. I was definitely quieter than usual, and he asked me on more than one occasion if I was in any pain and if everything was okay. I explained my mental absence as exhaustion, which at least wasn’t fully a lie.