“She will be. And the baby is fine too. I have a feeling she’s not eating enough, though.” At the look on his face, Nadia bowed her head.
“I need you to do something for me, Naoki.” Marcus squatted down and looked the boy in the eye. “We need your mom to be healthy, and that means she has to eat her share of the food too. Can you do that for me?” His face was serious as he waited for the boy to agree.
Charlie shook her head. A mother would do anything to protect her child, even give up her portion of food, and it was a struggle they continually faced in this village. One of their jobs was to provide nutritional support...but if a pregnant woman collapsed because she wasn’t getting enough nutrients, they weren’t doing their job.
“Ms. Charlie, your touch is a miracle,” Nadia said softly.
“Because she’s still sleeping, you mean?” She gazed down at the little one, at her button nose and chubby cheeks. “Does she cry a lot?” Reasons why she might ran though Charlie’s mind, colic being the primary one.
Nadia nodded. “So much. Will you help?”
Would she help? Of course she would. She would do anything for these women, for these children.
“It’s a good look for you,” Marcus stood up and whispered in her ear. “Maybe one day you’ll have our children in your arms, just like this.” He gave her a quick kiss on her cheek and resumed emptying the Jeep.
Charlie’s heart leaped at his words. Children really weren’t a subject they discussed often—every time Marcus would bring it up, Charlie would find a way to distract him. He didn’t know about her past, about her mother, other than that she died young. But now...her heart softened at the thought that maybe now she could actually have children.
Her biggest fear for her sister had been that she wouldn’t be able to handle the deaths of both her husband and her child—but she had. She hadn’t fallen into the dark well of depression like Charlie had feared...which meant there was hope.
Not much was known about what caused postpartum psychosis, but Charlie had always feared it was hereditary. Now her fears had been proven wrong, and she’d come back home to Marcus with new hope in her heart.
As she watched the man she loved unload the vehicle, she started to believe that she could have her fairy-tale ending and live a life full of love.
CHAPTER TWO
The low drone of mosquitoes followed her as she walked the path down to the stream. She followed Marcus’s voice as he told a story to a small group of children, making sure not only to take her time but to also remain quiet—she liked listening to him when he was with the little ones.
She’d just gotten off Skype with her sister and felt a little homesick—not for Seattle, but for Diane. She could see the loneliness in Diane’s gaze despite the cheery smile, and had a hard time not mentioning the large bags beneath her sister’s eyes.
She wasn’t sleeping; that much was evident. Diane was happy to be back at work and was thinking about volunteering at a local women’s shelter, but it was all wearing on her, Charlie could tell. She’d wanted to say something, but Nina, the home nurse who had helped take care of Diane while she was on bed rest during her pregnancy, had stopped in, so Charlie said goodbye and they made plans to talk again in a few days.
Charlie stepped on a branch, which broke beneath her foot and alerted the group to her arrival. Marcus turned, and the look on his face confirmed everything she’d said to Diane earlier.
They were both in a good place, her and Marcus, and since she’d come back it seemed like they’d moved into a different realm of their relationship, something deeper almost. Diane had laughed and said it was good to see her sister in love, and asked when the wedding was going to be and where.
“Hey, beautiful.” Marcus took her hand as they walked along the path. “How was your talk with your sister?”
“She seems tired. I think she’s pushing herself too hard and not sleeping. It’s catching up to her.”
“Are you worried?” he asked.
“A little.” She shrugged. “But Nina stopped by, so at least I know someone is looking out for her.”
“How long do you think Nina will continue to drop in, or do you think they’ve developed a real relationship?”
Charlie thought about that for a moment. Nina first came to work with Diane after being hired by Brian. He was nervous about leaving Diane alone while he traveled to London to help open a new office for the law firm he worked for, and she’d been by Diane’s side following the accident as well. Nina specialized in paediatrics, similar to Charlie, but she had additional experience: Before she’d begun to work with Diane, she’d just retired from the crisis department at the Swedish Medical Center, and worked with women who suffered from postpartum psychosis and other mental illnesses.
When Charlie first heard that Brian had hired Nina, she’d wondered at his reasoning. Any nurse would do, but why one with Nina’s background? Had he worried that something might happen to Diane? Did he think she might need help? But now that Diane was alone, if Charlie couldn’t be there for her sister she was glad Nina was.
“I think Nina views Diane as a daughter, truth be told. She’s very motherly toward her.” She smiled at the memory of how Nina would pop in to say hi, bring some new tea leaves to try and some baked goods.
“Almost like Walter is with you?” he asked.
Charlie nodded. Exactly.
They continued on their way, surrounded by children, back to the village. After lengthy good-night hugs with each child, Charlie and Marcus returned to their room and snuggled in bed with the mosquito net closed around them.
“Diane asked me a question tonight that I couldn’t quite answer.” Charlie was a bit tentative, unsure of how Marcus would respond, since they really hadn’t talked about the whole wedding-date subject yet.
“What’s that?” he asked, his arms wrapped around her so her head lay on his shoulder.
She played with a bracelet he wore around his wrist. “She asked about our wedding—when and where, precisely.”
“Did she have any suggestions?” he asked, his voice light.
She glanced up at him then and saw the smile on his face.
“No,” she admitted. “But I think she wants us to hurry up and figure it out.”
“Hmm. What would you say if I told you I’ve actually been thinking about it?”
Charlie twisted in his arms so she faced him directly. “Really?”
He nodded as he reached for a strand of her hair and twisted it around his finger.
“I’ve always pictured us getting married on a beach...the sand beneath our feet and the wind playing with your hair...unless, of course, you prefer something else? In a church maybe?”
Charlie shook her head. “The beach sounds lovely. Right at sunset, with candles burning and music playing softly in the background.” She loved the idea.
“It would be small...Walter and Diane, maybe a few friends we’ve worked with throughout the years...” A pained smile crossed his face before it disappeared, but Charlie already knew the reason for it.
Other than herself, Marcus was alone in the world. He’d joined Doctors Without Borders shortly after his parents were killed during a freak storm in the Caribbean when their sailboat hit a reef. He’d escaped his own pain by helping others—until he found her. There’d been an immediate connection between them during a mission in South America, and thanks to how well they worked together, they continued to be paired until they realized there was no fighting love.
It was Diane who encouraged her to give love a try, and it was Marcus’s gentle touch that made all the difference. It was easy to fall in love with him, and even easier to let down her guard....
“When?” she asked.
Marcus laughed. “Do I have to do all the work here?” He looked toward the chalkboard in their room where they listed dates for team visits, holidays, and their own leave. “Our time here comes to an end in six months...how about then?”
Her breath caught
at his words. Six months? Was it possible? Could they really do it? Were they really going to do it?
A smile stretched across her face. “It’s a date!” She leaned up and placed her lips against his in a very soft and sweet kiss. “I love you, Marcus Hilroy.”
“Forever and ever, Charlotte Hunter. You are my world, my life, and I never want to be without you.” His gaze smoldered as he feathered his fingers over her cheekbones and down her neck. “Now come here and kiss me.”
“As you wish.” She leaned down and kissed her Prince Charming, the man who had stolen her heart and would never leave her.
CHAPTER THREE
Late March
Relaxing beneath a tree with a cup of lukewarm mint tea in her hands, Charlie watched Marcus play ball with the children in the field ahead of her. He’d had a good day today—saved the life of a man bitten by a poisonous spider and decided to celebrate by playing a game of soccer with the kids.
These past few weeks had been like heaven, and she felt a little guilty for being so happy, so in love, while her sister was still grieving.
Charlie had shared the news of their wedding date, hoping to bring a smile to Diane’s face, but she knew it was forced. Although it now gave them something to discuss during their Skype calls, since Diane offered to basically organize the whole wedding for them as well as pay for it—her gift.
Another part of her gift was the offer to help set up a clinic in Seattle if they were ready to settle down. Marcus was seriously considering it, but Charlie wasn’t sure. In the three years she’d been part of the Doctors Without Borders program, she’d never regretted renewing her contract after an extended vacation, and she wasn’t sure she wanted to stop now. There weren’t that many staff in the field with their level of experience, and it made a world of difference when there was a crisis.
She’d suggested being on call for emergencies with shorter missions, but Marcus was ready to settle down and provide a more stable environment for their children.
Charlie smiled; she couldn’t help it.
“What’s with the smile?” Annie Stevens, the other nurse in their village, sat down beside her and leaned back. “It feels good to be off my feet.” She groaned as she kicked off her shoes and stretched out her toes.
“We did good today,” Charlie said.
“Yes, we did.” Annie glanced over. “but you’re not smiling because of that. Trust me, I’ve gotten pretty good at reading your smiles.” She leaned closer. “Are you pregnant?” she whispered.
Pregnant? She didn’t think so, but maybe soon? She shook her head but couldn’t stop smiling.
“So what is it then?”
Charlie shrugged. “I’m just happy. Really, really happy. And I know I should feel guilty for feeling this way, especially when my sister is half the world away trying to hide her grief, but I can’t help it.”
Annie tsked at her. “You should never feel guilty for being happy or in love. Your sister no doubt understands, and it’s probably refreshing for her to talk to you. Gets her mind off her own issues, you know? We all need a little bit of love and sunshine in our lives. There’s no guilt there.”
Charlie thought about that for a moment. Annie was right, and she always seemed to have a wealth of knowledge. Charlie had never asked, but she assumed Annie had been dealt a rough hand in life despite being so young.
“How is she doing, anyway?”
Charlie shrugged. “I think she’s okay. We haven’t talked in about a week, and I can’t seem to grab her when I’m online. She’s probably trying to bury herself in work. She’ll call when she has time.”
“I’m quite envious of you guys—not sure if I’ve ever told you that. My sisters and I hardly ever talk, and I wish we did.”
“So why don’t you call them?”
Annie gave her a look that told Charlie more than she needed to know.
“Sometimes it’s better to let sleeping dogs lie, you know? Life wasn’t all that easy for us, and with four girls and both parents on welfare...” Annie thought about her words before continuing. “I’m the only one who won scholarships to school and then worked two jobs to get myself through college. Joining Doctors Without Borders was a godsend—just to get away from the toxicity of my family.”
“I’m sorry, Annie. I—” She stopped when she noticed Marcus coming their way, so instead she leaned over and gave Annie a sideways hug. “We’ll finish this later, okay?”
Annie nodded and then climbed to her feet.
“Hey,” Marcus said as he bent down, hands gripping his knees while taking in deep breaths. “Man, those kids can run.”
“I’ll take your place.” Annie stuck her feet back into her shoes, laced them up, and then took off to join the children.
“Don’t tell me you’re getting too old to play with them,” Charlie teased her fiancé as he sat down beside her.
“Never.” He drew in more breaths before lying flat on the ground and pulling her alongside him. “I just missed seeing your pretty face.”
Charlie leaned on one arm and gave him a skeptical look. “You see my face all the time. Just admit it—they wore you out.”
“Maybe.” Marcus shielded his eyes. “I could blame it on the fact that I’m not sleeping well at night.” He wiggled his brows at her, then winked.
Charlie blushed.
“Did you and Annie have a good chat?” Marcus laughed at her.
“We did. She asked me if I was pregnant.” She chuckled at the memory and assumed he would as well, but there was a look on his face she’d never quite seen before.
“Are you?”
“Do you want me to be?” She couldn’t tell from the tone of his voice whether the idea of her being pregnant was a good thing or not.
He swallowed hard, and Charlie took that as a no.
“I...” Marcus seemed to struggle with his words. “I would love it if you were,” he finally admitted. “But I remember you once told me you’d rather adopt.”
That was when she realized what his look meant: hidden hope, a dream about to be fulfilled, but too much fear to believe it possible.
She understood because those were feelings she knew all too well.
But she didn’t have that fear anymore, and it was so freeing.
“I know, but since returning from Seattle—“
“You’ve been different.” Marcus finished for her. “And I’ve loved it. You smile easier now.”
“Because I feel different inside. There’s a hope in here,” she touched her chest, “that I haven’t experienced in a long time.” She looked at Marcus with eyes full of love. “I’m not pregnant, but I would love to be. After our wedding?”
“Why wait?”
Charlie sat up and teasingly slapped Marcus on the arm. “Because, Dr. Hilroy, I’m a paediatric nurse, and I’ve seen enough mothers deal with morning sickness to know that it’s not something I want to experience out here in the middle of nowhere. Give me a proper bathroom with a working toilet, thank you very much.”
“It’s a good thing we’ve set our wedding date then,” he said as he pulled her back down so she leaned over him.
“Why’s that?”
“Because every time I see you hold a baby in your arms, I realize that I don’t want to wait anymore. I want us to start our own family, with everything that entails.”
“Like what exactly?” She had a feeling she knew what he meant, but she needed to be sure.
“Settling down, building a life where it’s safe for you to be pregnant and for us to raise a child.” He jerked his head toward the kids in front of them playing ball. “I want to coach soccer or baseball, or be there to watch my daughter at her dance recital, or—”
“Or her baseball game,” Charlie said for him. No need to get all sexist here. She could throw a mean ball and would no doubt teach her child to do the same, regardless of their sex.
“You know what I mean.”
She blinked a few times. “Marcus...” She paused, tryin
g to find the right words to say, “What about this?” She spread her arms wide to encompass not only the kids but the village, the people around them. “I’m not sure I’m ready to say goodbye to this, to what we do, whether it be here or someplace else.”
He gave her a smile that told her he’d figured it all out. “We don’t have to. We don’t have to keep signing the one-year contract and stay with our team. We can do six months or even case-by-case. There are a lot of options for us; I’ve checked.”
What did he just say?
“You what?”
“I’ve been in touch with Sabrina Duboix at the head office, and she’s agreed to work with us however we see fit. She doesn’t want to lose us, and this gives us a way to have the best of both worlds.”
Charlie breathed in deep and then out in one long breath. A part of her had been worried that she’d have to give all this up once they were married.
“I love you, Charlotte Hunter, and I’ve known that this has been your passion from the day I met you. I’m not asking you to give that up. Let’s make it work. I believe we can.”
Her mind buzzed with different thoughts and scenarios. She liked to be prepared, to think about every possible thing that could happen so that she could handle it.
It was possible to love someone so much that he or she always thought of you before making decisions. She’d seen it with Diane and Brian. She’d seen their love for each other, watched the way Brian fawned over Diane, always showering her with love, accepting her the way she was and never asking her to change.
She wanted that. She’d always wanted that, but had been too afraid to believe she was worthy of that type of love.
“I’ve always dreamed of living that fairy-tale life, the one that ends with a happily-ever-after. You’re my Prince Charming, Marcus, and I don’t know what I’d ever do without you.” She never wanted to find out either.
“Now, if you’ve caught your breath,” she continued, “why don’t you go back into the game and I’ll go see if I can get my sister on the line. We’ve got a wedding to plan, after all.” She rose to her feet and pulled him up alongside her before gently pushing him forward. He ran a few steps, then stopped and turned. She watched as a smile spread across his face before he blew her a kiss.
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