Holly’s heart beat a tad faster. He looked gorgeous in his sea-blue scrubs. The white jacket was missing, providing Holly with an image of him running out of the ER in order to make it just in time.
“Let’s start again, shall we?” Dr. Meyers began to move the device on Holly’s belly, back and forth a few times, trying to find their bean.
A million fears ran through Holly’s heart in those seconds.
“Here we go,” she said, bending forward to turn on a speaker. The sound that reverberated around the room sounded like horses galloping, just like the first time she heard it in the maternity ward when Gus checked bean for the first time to make sure everything was fine.”
Using the computer’s mouse, she started measuring the bean by clicking on one end of the fetus and dragging a line to the other.
Holly noticed a date on the screen. “Is that my due date?”
“Speculative due date. We never really know the exact date, and it can change at any time. But we’ll know more or less after a couple of appointments.”
She then looked at Jake. “So, daddy,” Dr. Meyers began but then rolled her eyes. “You Peters’ are such babies.”
Holly looked at Jake, who was chuckling while wiping his eyes.
“Again?” Holly asked.
“Our bean is beautiful,” he said, kissing her hand softly.
Doctor Meyers smiled. “Your father was exactly the same. You should’ve become a gynecologist.”
“No, thank you,” Jake said, too fast.
Both Holly and the doctor burst out laughing. “I thought you guys were crazy about vaginas?
“That disappears when it becomes one’s job.”
“Jake!”
“What? I’m just being honest. Besides, I love brains.”
“Okay, that is definitely not the kind of conversation we usually have in this room, go back to the crying.”
Holly giggled as she looked at the ultrasound’s screen once more.
The doctor hit another button, as another knock sounded. All three looked at the door.
Doctor Meyers put the device away and got up to open it. “I should’ve known. Checking up on me?”
Gus walked in. “I’m just making sure everything is okay. This is my first grandchild, Tiff.”
Jake shook his head and closed his eyes for a few seconds. Then he looked at his dad. “Is this going to be a regular occurrence?”
“Shush, unless you want me to tell your mother.”
“Mara doesn’t know yet?” Dr. Meyers raised her eyebrows at Jake. “Ooooh, I’m so glad I’m not you, Jake.”
“It usually takes two to conceive a baby, I’m not the only one at fault here.” He sat straight up on the bed.
“Excuse me?” Gus stated with a raised eyebrow in Jake’s direction.
Holly saw the smirk Jake tried to hide, as if he had done something wrong. Well, they practically had.
“Okay, fine. Whatever,” Jake mumbled.
Gus smiled at Holly. “How do you feel?”
“Good, actually,” she replied.
He looked at Dr. Meyers. “How is her blood pressure?”
“Almost normal. I think it’s working, Gus.”
“It better be,” Jake growled.
Gus shot him a look over his shoulder. Jake didn’t bother to contain his smile. But when Gus looked at the frozen screenshot of their bean, Holly saw tears well up in his eyes again, just like the last time. He cleared his throat. “Everything okay?”
“Yes, cry-baby, everything is just fine,” Dr. Meyers assured him.
Gus mumbled something or other, which no one understood, and promptly left.
“I told you they were babies,” she said to Holly.
“Don’t care. That’s my kid in there. I can cry if I want to, Dr. Meyers,” Jake snapped, although playfully.
She hid a grin. “Your mother really doesn’t know?”
“I’ll tell her, soon.”
“Don’t put this pressure on Holly, Jake.”
Holly raised her hand. “Still here, you know, in case you forgot.”
Jake chuckled. “I promise I won’t put her under any undue pressure. I’ve got to go as I only had a couple of minutes.” He bent down and kissed Holly again, then retreated toward the door.
“Tell your mom, Jake,” Dr. Meyers shouted, before he disappeared.
“Yeah, yeah.” Holly heard, as well as his footsteps pounding down the hallway.
“I just hope Mara is not going to get her nose bent out of joint. I hate lying to her.”
“We will tell her soon,” Holly promised.
“Oh, no, missy. He’s the one who needs to tell her. You stay as far away as you can from that woman the day he tells her, you hear?”
“Will she really be that upset?”
“She’s a bit over-protective when it comes to her children, even though they are adults and are more than able to make decisions for themselves.”
Holly giggled. “I take it you don’t approve?”
“Not with some of the things she does, no.”
Dr. Meyers helped Holly sit up. “I mean it, Holly, you need to take it easy. You’re not going to have a stress-free pregnancy as is, and any kind of stress can lead to danger. So relax and surround yourself with loving people.”
Holly grinned. She loved Dr. Meyers’ humor, getting it the moment she’d started using it on Jake.
“I will.”
“So, if all goes well, we are looking at a March baby, but it will likely change to February in the next few weeks.
Holly smiled, got dressed, and made another appointment at reception before leaving. She’d get another peek at her bean the following week. She felt different, as if today had made everything a reality.
When she got to work, Marabella couldn’t wait to see the picture of the baby. She gave Holly a hug and jumped up and down. “I can’t wait to become a grandmother. I think it’s the most amazing feeling ever.”
“I doubt that this one’s grandmother is going to feel the same way.”
“Then it’s her problem, Holly. Don’t let her stress you out.”
“Easier said than done,” Holly mumbled.
“By that, I’m guessing Jake hasn’t told her yet?”
“Nope, he hasn’t.” Holly rubbed her face. “Maybe he’s waiting until I’m like six months or something, and hopefully by then she’s able to put two and two together.”
“I doubt that. Maybe he’s just waiting for the right moment.”
“I’m not sure that with her there is such a thing as ‘a right moment’ when it comes to this. My doctor was the second one to tell me that she’s a psycho when it comes to her children.”
“Psycho or not, Holly, what is she going to do?”
Holly thought about it. She knew Jake loved her and wanted their baby. She could see it in his eyes, but then his crying over their bean had confirmed it. “Nothing, I guess.”
“Exactly. Then why do you worry about it? Stop thinking and stressing over it. You have the second most important being inside of you as we speak, and that’s who you need to worry about and take care of now. No one else even matters.”
“I know. Okay,” Holly said, adamantly. “No more stressing about what she is going to do or think.”
“That’s it. Have you told the other grandmother yet?”
Holly shook her head.
“Darling, now might be the perfect time. People do amazing things when the pitter-patter of little feet is expected.”
“Even help with alcohol addiction?”
“She told you before she has sobered up.”
“I know, but I’m scared of introducing her to Jake and the rest of the Peters’.”
“It might not be that bad. Just phone her, tell her the good news and whatever happens, happens.”
“Sure, I’ll think about it.”
“You do that. Now get on those invoices, please. I’ve got absolutely no idea how to add them onto the computer.”
Holly laughed and shook her head. “What are you going to do without me, Marabella?”
“I don’t know, but I do know that I’ll be lost. Totally.”
They hugged each other, after which Marabella left in order for both her and Holly get on with work.
“ARE YOU SURE I DON’T NEED TO GO WITH YOU?” Holly asked.
Jake wrapped his arms around her waist. “No, I’ll deal with this.” He gave her a kiss on the lips. “Go drink your shake and I’ll see you soon.”
“Okay. Just get out of there before she kills you. I can’t do this without you.”
Jake chortled. “I doubt it will come to that.”
“That’s what you say now,” Bernie interjected, without looking up from the newspaper she had spread on her kitchen counter.
“Nobody asked you, Bernie,” joked Jake.
“My house. I put in my two cents if I want to, thank you very much.”
That comment made Jake grin broadly.
Shortly after Jake left, Holly settled down and tried to read a novel, but she kept reading the same passage over and over. The waiting was awful, and even worse was the fact that she couldn’t help but glance at the clock every so often. And with worry came all sorts of scenarios, one being that she pictured Mara blowing a fuse and promptly driving to Bernie’s, where she’d zip up the driveway and come to a standstill on screeching tires.
Bernie must have noticed her friend’s anxiousness.
“Stop worrying; it’s just a baby. I’m sure Amelia will be in seventh heaven.”
Amelia. Holly had forgotten about Jake’s sister. She hadn’t spoken to her in ages, but knowing Amelia would be on their side made her feel more at ease. She just happened to have a huge influence on Mara, and Jake was like her twin; only eleven months apart.
By noon, Holly still hadn’t heard anything from Jake.
It must be going well as he isn’t back, or maybe he hasn’t told Mara yet.
She decided to take a nap after lunch, which consisted of her gulping down her shake. She was almost out of powder and would need a refill from Gus soon.
It felt as if she’d just closed her eyes when she was woken by someone shaking her gently. Slowly opening her eyes, she looked into Jake’s face and smiled. Goodness knew how long he’d been watching her for, but he seemed comfortable lying next to her with his head resting on his hand.
She buried her face in his chest and breathed in the cologne that was him. “Do I need to know what she said?” she mumbled. She could feel him laughing and looked up.
“No.” He kept it short and sweet.
“So… it’s not good, I take it?” Her facial expression was one of seriousness.
“I didn’t say that. It’s just nothing to stress about.”
“Okay, but does she want to see me?”
“Do you want to see her?” He smiled.
“Not really, no. I just want to know what to expect.”
He continued to smile. “It’s not worth it, Holly. Stop stressing about it. I told you not to worry. It’s taken care of.”
“Just tell me.”
“Okay, fine. She’s not happy, chased me out of the house and that was it. I would’ve been worried if she hadn’t reacted that way. She’ll cool off and probably want to speak both of us to know what sort of a plan we have. If not, well, we’ll just have to show her, then.”
Obviously, Holly knew nothing good had come of their ‘meeting’. His own mother chased him out of her house. She tried to suppress that thought and hated the fact that he didn’t want to tell her, in more detail, what he’d said and what she’d said. And despite his assurance that she needn’t stress, she would nevertheless do just that.
“Amelia is quite beside herself. She immediately wanted to give you a call of congratulations, but I told her to hold off for another time. And, she needs to clear it with me first.”
“At least one person is happy.” She shrugged.
“Holly, stop it. Don’t worry about who has a problem or not with you being pregnant, or who’s going to love this child or not. Our bean will have its mom and dad, and a wonderful family. I can promise you that.”
“Okay,” she whispered, kissing his jawline, and then his lips. It wasn’t long before the kissing became more demanding. Holly giggled against his lips. “Seriously?”
“What? It’s not like we can get pregnant again,” he said softly.
“What about our existing bean, Jake?”
“Holly, the baby is just that right now, the size of a bean, really. Besides, it can only be good for it.”
“Oh, really? And in what way would that be?”
“Keep the mom happy, and baby will be happy.”
Holly burst out laughing.
Soon enough, their lips locked. She rolled on top of him and curled her fingers with his, pushing his arms above his head. His shirt was the first thing to disappear, and then hers.
He rained kisses down both sides of her neck making her body feel alive. She’d never felt that safe in someone’s arms as she did in Jake Peters’. She also felt loved and wanted, and never wanted those feelings to ever disappear between them.
His hands caressed the side of her body ever so softly, causing the hair on her skin to stand on end.
Her shorts were soon disposed of, too. But when it came to his jeans, though, he seemed to struggle to get them off, until she lent a hand. That brought on a fit of giggles from both. Holly eventually shushed him, because Bernie and Leo were probably taking an afternoon nap with Sam. God forbid they had to hear.
The sex was, as always, amazing. Nothing hardcore like the other times, but rather gentle and slow; the feeling of him inside her felt like she was going to lose her mind. She just hoped and prayed that he was right and they weren’t harming the baby.
When he thrust deeper, she bit the flesh on his shoulder, and nothing was more satisfying than when she heard him groan out of pleasure as a result.
Holly reached her orgasm fast and couldn’t believe how much she truly enjoyed making love with Jake. With others, not that there had been many, they’d only cared about themselves—and quite honestly, that had only been sex. There was a difference.
Coming back down to earth, she lay on his chest and listened to his heartbeat as he drifted off to sleep. She noticed the dark shadows under his eyes as he’d worked the night before, deciding to just let him be. She didn’t like those circles at all, but knew how tired he’d been lately. If truth be told, she loved being with him like this.
She continued to listen to his heartbeat, imagining hers and his beating as one. They were made for one another, that much she was sure of. She felt it in her blood, her veins, and deep down in her bones. There would never be another man for her, of that she was certain.
The second appointment came quickly, like the following week quickly.
Amelia accompanied Holly this time around, because she was dying to see what her nephew or niece looked like.
The minute Holly walked in, Natasha looked up and smiled.
Amelia smiled, too, and greeted her. “Hey.”
“What are you doing here?” asked Natasha.
“Just checking up on how my nephew or niece is doing.”
“Your nephew or niece?” Natasha gave her a funny look.
“Yes. I’m here with Holly.”
Natasha frowned, and all Holly could do was shake her head slightly as she took a seat. The girl was obviously not putting two and two together. Either that, or she couldn’t believe that the child Holly was carrying was Jake’s.
Amelia laughed at her expression of confusion and disbelief, and then took a seat next to Holly.
“Let me guess, she’s one of your brother’s exes?”
“She wishes,” Amelia mumbled.
Holly sniggered while paging through a pregnancy book, looking at all the baby clothes, cots, mobile toys and strollers.
“These are really expensive.”
“Don’t worry ab
out the prices, Holly. Besides, we are going to buy you guys the coolest stroller ever.”
“Amelia...”
“Oh, no. I googled it. It’s the aunt’s privilege to get something big and the mom isn’t allowed to say a word. Cool, huh?”
Holly just smiled at her.
The waiting room door opened and Holly looked up. As soon as a couple entered, Natasha gave them her million dollar smile.
“What are you doing here?” she asked.
That was when Holly saw Jake closing the door.
“I’ve got an appointment.”
She frowned once again.
Holly watched Natasha’s face closely, and it wasn’t long before she saw her expression change when the light bulb went on. “Oh! Congrats, I guess.”
Jake pulled a face at Holly as he walked over, while she suppressed a smirk. “You are here, too?” he shot in Amelia direction.
Amelia pulled a face, and then mocked him by making sounds when Jake kissed Holly. He scowled at his sister before dropping into the chair next to Holly.
Holly could feel inquiring eyes on her and knew that it wasn’t because of the cute couple they obviously made; it was all about the hunk who was occupying the seat next to hers. How he was able to ignore the obvious attention was something she still needed to get used to.
“Look.” Amelia practically thrust the book in Jake’s face. “I’m going to get that. So don’t buy it, please.”
“Whatever, Amelia,” he returned.
Amelia rolled her eyes at her brother.
“Miss Scallanger?” Natasha called, clearing her throat.
Amelia sucked in her lips as she tried to hide her gloating expression. Holly could tell she didn’t like Natasha much. The girl was quiet as she led the trio into the doctor’s office.
“Enjoy,” Natasha mumbled.
Holly frowned when Amelia raised her eyebrows in Jake’s direction before laughing softly.
“Shame, poor girl,” Amelia said.
Holly merely shook her head and left them to their sibling shenanigans.
She went in first for a very personal checkup, while Jake decided to keep Amelia company. She changed into a gown and sat on the bed.
Dr. Meyers was still speaking to Amelia outside the office, as old friends did. Holly figured she was her gynecologist, too.
Imperfect Love Page 26