by Andre, Bella
His laughter at her crazy statement rumbled through the waiting room. “I can’t wait to hear why.”
“You know why.”
He looked at her in confusion for a second, and she had to nod her head in the other women’s directions before awareness dawned. His laughter was loud enough this time to ring out through the room. “So that’s what your muttering about fetishes was this morning. You think I’m into—” He broke off, laughing again. “I am, you know,” he said, leaning in so close to her ear that his warm breath sent thrill bumps racing across the surface of her skin. “But only when the pregnant woman is you.”
How did he do it? How did he melt her with every word? Every touch?
Reminding herself that she was supposed to be making him prove himself, she purposely lifted her magazine closer so that she could pretend to be engrossed in the article she hadn’t even glanced at yet.
A moment later, when he’d finally stopped laughing, he leaned back over and whispered, “Might be easier to read this way.”
His big, strong body was too close to hers in the small waiting room for her brain to figure out what he was talking about until he turned the magazine around in her hands.
Oh, my God. How embarrassing. She didn’t normally care what a bunch of strangers thought of her, but then again, she’d always blended into the background, so no one had ever really noticed her.
Being with Jake, she was slowly realizing, was the opposite of being invisible. He had too much presence, was far too charismatic and charming—not to mention gorgeous—for her to stay hidden when she was with him.
It should have been easier to get lost behind him. But he wouldn’t allow that, she realized as he put his hand back on her thigh and held it there, no matter what she did to try to shake him off. For all his arrogance, he didn’t seem interested in hogging the limelight. Instead, she got the strange sense that he was proud to be sitting there with her.
Even when she was doing dumb things like pretending to read a magazine upside down.
“When are you due?”
Sophie couldn’t believe the woman in the corner asked Jake the question instead of her, like they had some special bond just because he’d smiled at her and said she was pretty.
Of course, it stung even more that Sophie hadn’t needed much more of a reason than his smile to fall in love with him so many years ago.
“In the fall.”
No one could miss the possessive note in his voice, or his clear joy at the prospect of having a baby. Sophie felt her heart soften despite herself.
Darn it, why couldn’t he be more of a jerk all the time? Why did he have to keep having these moments when he seemed like the perfect guy? It would make it so much easier to hate him if he would just behave like a self-absorbed imbecile, rather than a sweetly concerned, übersexy father-to-be.
Then again, at least it helped her remember that the only thing he was really interested in was the baby. Not her. After all, he’d walked out on her without a second glance, but as soon as he’d heard about a child, he’d become the most possessive person on the planet.
“Oh, that’s wonderful!” the woman exclaimed. “Congratulations.”
Jake squeezed Sophie’s thigh just above her knee, and thrill bumps immediately ran up and down her legs at the intimate touch.
“Thanks,” he replied. “We’re really excited about it.”
Amazingly, it was true. Despite the fact that she’d gotten pregnant by accident and the status of their relationship was completely up in the air, both of them really were excited about having a child. Even if the whole coparenting thing was going to be sticky from different households—especially if there was one of his playthings over when she went to pick up her kid at his house.
At some point after she had the baby, they’d have to have a talk about what was and wasn’t appropriate for children to see. Yes, she’d be sure to let him know she expected him to keep all future dates and sexual partners away from their child, simply so he didn’t confuse their son or daughter. If it put a damper on his sex life, he’d just have to deal with that, wouldn’t he?
A nurse popped her head out of the door that led back to the examination rooms. “Sophie Sullivan?”
Sophie stood up and Jake moved with her, his hand on her lower back. The nurse looked between them, a question in her eyes.
How many times, she wondered, would she see those same silent questions? This is the man you’re with? How did you possibly pull that off? And how can I get one just like him?
At least, she thought with a small measure of gratitude, rather than barging in and taking over absolutely everything, Jake was waiting patiently for her to explain why he was there.
Only, Sophie wasn’t sure she could explain any of it at all, not without using words like in love with him forever and never going to love me back…and, of course, crazy accident.
Which was why all she said was, “He’ll be coming in with me.”
Without missing a beat, he held out his hand. “Jake McCann.”
The nurse’s eyes got big as she shook his hand. “I thought you looked familiar. You’re on those great ads for McCann’s Irish Pubs. Are you the owner?”
He nodded but, amazingly, didn’t prolong the conversation about himself. Most of the guys Sophie had dated loved nothing better than to talk about themselves. Jake couldn’t possibly be the exception, could he?
The nurse ushered them into the room and looked down at her chart. “Let’s see, you’re here to see the doctor about a possible pregnancy?” When Sophie nodded, the nurse asked, “When was the date of your last period?”
Feeling more than a little embarrassed about discussing this kind of stuff in front of Jake, she quickly calculated the date and told the nurse.
“Let’s get your weight.”
Great, just what every woman wanted, for the man she was sleeping with to see the number on the scale. She worked to keep her chin up as she slipped off her shoes and got on the scale.
“Looks like you’ve put on about ten pounds already.”
Considering her stomach was still fairly flat, Sophie was pretty sure those extra pounds were all in her breasts and hips so far.
Obviously seeing her disgruntled expression, the nurse said, “Eight to twelve pounds is really normal for this stage of the first trimester. Especially with the first pregnancy, when you’re not used to the changes in your body.” She handed Sophie a plastic cup. “We’ll need you to give us a urine sample and then go ahead and put this gown on so you’re ready for the doctor.”
Through it all, Jake sat in the blue chair in the corner, looking perfectly comfortable with being in a gynecologist’s office. His dark eyes were tracking her every move, but she couldn’t read his expression. Frankly, she didn’t want to know what he was thinking. Because even though she was nervous about being here with him, she suddenly realized she was even more nervous about the pregnancy.
Now that she’d started to get her head around being pregnant, she really wanted this baby. She prayed that the doctor would say everything was all right after her examination. A healthy baby was all she wanted now.
You want Jake, too, she had to admit as she finished filling the cup and set it on the bathroom counter for the lab technician. It was why she’d agreed to give him seven days.
But she wanted so much more than just his body. She wanted his heart…and for him to open up a window to his soul.
Sophie sighed, knowing it was long past time to give up those dreams and focus on something real. Like the child inside her. And the fact that she and Jake were going to have to figure out a way to bump along together as parents during the next fifty years.
Sixty seconds later, she had her clothes neatly folded up and the cloth hospital gown on. She held it tightly closed in the back as she exited the bathroom, which was ridiculous, since Jake had seen her naked more than once.
The doctor was already in the room chatting easily with Jake, and Sophie’s heart sk
ipped a beat as she watched him easily charm the woman who had been her gynecologist since she was a teenager.
“Sophie!” Marnie moved to fold her into a warm hug. “Well, isn’t this a wonderful surprise?”
Sophie plastered a smile on her face. “Yes. Really wonderful.”
Her doctor patted the padded table. “Scoot on up here, and we’ll do a quick exam to make sure everything is progressing well.” She referenced Sophie’s chart. “The HCG levels in your urine sample concur with twelve weeks.”
Relieved that the tests she’d taken at home hadn’t been wrong about the pregnancy, Sophie slid onto the table and put her feet in the stirrups, trying not to think about how strange all of this must look to Jake.
“Jake, why don’t you come stand over here. It will be easier for you to see the ultrasound monitor.”
He moved to her side and put his hand on her shoulder. He smiled down at her, and Sophie was amazed to find herself more comforted by his presence than embarrassed. She’d been planning to come here alone. But she was—suddenly—incredibly glad she hadn’t had to.
Marnie reached for something big and thick and light blue. It already had a condom over it, and acute embarrassment swept over Sophie at the thought of Jake watching her doctor slide that into her.
“This shouldn’t hurt,” her doctor said, “although it may be a little cold at first.”
The lubricated ultrasound wand slid in easily, and she could have sworn Jake’s eyes were twinkling at her predicament. The doctor typed in a password on the ultrasound machine, and the monitor switched to a picture that looked like a night sky with faint clouds and stars.
“Now, let’s see where the little guy—or girl—is hiding.”
Sophie’s heartbeat ratcheted up, but before she could reach for Jake’s hand, he was sliding his over hers. They held on to each other tightly, neither of them breathing until Marnie smiled.
“Ah, there it is.” The doctor pointed to a faintly throbbing white light on the screen. “That’s the heartbeat.”
Sophie’s eyes filled with tears. There was a new heart beating inside of her, one that she and Jake had made together.
“Wow.” Jake’s hushed voice echoed her feelings exactly. “Amazing.”
Marnie smiled at him, then Sophie. “Always. The size of the fetus looks perfect for twelve weeks, too.”
Sophie assumed they’d be done now, but instead of pulling the wand from her body, her doctor said, “Now I’m just going to take a quick look to see if there is anyone else in here.”
“Anyone else?” Jake repeated.
“While it’s not likely, it’s certainly not impossible that you’ve got—” The doctor gave a happy little shout. “Right here. There’s another heartbeat.”
Jake squeezed Sophie’s hand so hard she almost yelped. But it was hard to register the pain when she was busy being totally shocked by what the doctor had just said. Marnie moved the wand around inside her some more. “Yes, looks like there are only two.”
Only two?
Oh, God, when she’d been making those proclamations to Jake and her sister about doing it all herself, she’d been assuming she was only in for one baby. Not two!
Sophie shot a panicked glance up at Jake. His tanned skin was as pale as she’d ever seen it, even whiter than it had been right after she’d given him the news that she was pregnant.
Marnie slid the wand out, then handed her the picture that she’d printed. “For your scrapbook. Have you been taking prenatal vitamins?”
Sophie shook her head as she sat up, feeling light-headed. She was so glad to have Jake standing strong behind her. “I wasn’t planning to get pregnant.”
Marnie’s expression didn’t betray any surprise or condemnation. “Okay, then. Here’s a prescription for the ones I like best for my patients.” She handed Sophie a bag from inside one of the cupboards. “Here are a few other things you might find helpful. Although I have to warn you, please don’t freak out when you read the What to Expect When You’re Expecting book. I’m giving it to you to use as a resource, not to feed any fears you might have about pregnancy.” She smiled at Sophie. “You’re a healthy young woman, and if we look at your mother’s history, we can be pretty sure you’re going to have no problems at all.”
Sophie worked to find her breath as her doctor asked, “Now, do you two have any questions for me?”
God, yes. Sophie had zillions of questions she needed answers to. Most of which started with, How could this have happened to me when other people have one-night stands all the time? But for now, she just shook her head and said, “I’ll probably have some once I read through these.”
Books had always made her feel better. She’d always thought that knowledge could cure practically any ill. This time, however, she wasn’t at all sure books could work that kind of magic.
“What about you, Jake?”
“Does she need to be extra careful? You know, should she be careful not to overexert?”
Marnie shook her head. “Sophie should be able to live pretty much as she is now. Good food, lots of rest and exercise.”
“What about sex?”
His question shook Sophie from her panicked state. Now she was mortified instead.
“I’m glad you asked that, Jake,” Marnie said. “It’s something that pretty much every newly pregnant couple wonders about. I promise you, intercourse isn’t going to hurt a thing. In fact, a lot of patients say it’s even better during pregnancy.” She smiled at both of them. “Feel free to e-mail the office with any questions. And I’ll see you again in four weeks.”
The door closed behind the doctor, leaving Jake and Sophie alone.
She didn’t have the first clue about where to go from here. She’d thought she was past the point where the rug could be pulled out from under her. But hearing that she was pregnant with twins was a whole new level of rug-yanking.
She knew she should get off the table and put her clothes back on, but she wasn’t sure her legs would hold her up.
“Can you believe it?” Her question was more of a whisper than anything, as if she was afraid to say the word aloud. But she had to. “Twins.”
Jake hadn’t moved from behind her, and she wanted to lean into him and never let go. Thank God he was here. If she’d had to do this by herself she’d—
“That decides it. We’re definitely getting married now.”
“What?” Sophie jumped off the table, not caring that her cloth gown was gaping completely open in the back. “No!”
Jake’s face was shut down. “Yes.”
“But you promised me seven days.”
“You’re having twins, Sophie. You can’t do this alone. Not with two.”
She shook her head. “That’s beside the point.”
He looked frustrated. And just as shell-shocked as she felt. “Then what is the point? It’s just seven goddamned days. We both already know you’re going to marry me.”
How could she say, The point is that if you drag me to Vegas today and make me say “I do” because I’m carrying your children, then you never even have to try to fall in love with me.
But didn’t she already know better? Why was she still hoping for the impossible?
She could taste defeat, that horrible bitterness on her tongue that she’d become so familiar with in the two and a half months after Jake had made love to her in Napa.
“If you don’t know why those seven days matter,” she said in a shaky voice, “then you’re the world’s biggest idiot.”
She was about to grab her clothes and head to the bathroom when she saw Jake’s expression. He looked utterly furious. But there was more than anger there, she realized as she looked closer. He looked ashamed, too.
And wounded. Horribly wounded by her insult.
She rewound through all the names she’d called him in the past day. None of them had made him react like the word idiot. If anything, he’d laughed the rest of them away.
“Jake, I—”
He was gone before she could call him back, before she could apologize for calling him an idiot.
The bathroom mirror mocked her as she caught a glance of her wild eyes, her flushed skin. She of all people knew how powerful words were. It made her sick to think she’d just hurt Jake with them.
All she wanted was to love and be loved…and she’d never been further from it.
***
Jake didn’t say another word to her until he pulled up in front of the library and she fumbled at the buckle, trying to get out of his car as quickly as possible.
“Sit still, Sophie.” Each word was a bullet aimed straight at her. “You’re going to let me get the goddamned door for you this time and every time after.”
For all the times she’d pushed him before now, something told her not to keep pushing. Not right at this moment.
She cringed at what she’d called him. Idiot. It was a word she’d never spoken to anyone else, not even in her angriest moments. He had to know she hadn’t meant it, that she’d spat it out in the heat of the moment. Didn’t he?
A few seconds later, he yanked open the passenger door and leaned in to unbuckle her seat belt. It took every ounce of self-control she possessed to hold herself rigid as his muscles brushed over her skin, as his scent filled her senses. He held out his hand to help her out of the car, and she had no choice but to take it.
“Jake,” she said softly, “I’m sorry for what I called you earlier. I was angry. I didn’t mean it.”
He didn’t acknowledge her apology. “Eight o’clock tonight. Be waiting for me with your bags packed.”
Before she could tell him where to shove his commands, he was pulling her into him and kissing her so hard but with such finesse that even as she tried to fight him her body told her just to give in already.
It was what she’d always wanted, after all.
Jake.
But that wasn’t good enough, just fulfilling her body’s needs. Not if her heart was left out in the cold.
He let go of her and was back in his car and speeding away from the library before she could begin to process what had happened on the steps.