"I missed you guys, too." He leaned down and kissed her head.
Once he put Katie to bed, he climbed into mine, and it was finally my turn to have him. He pulled me into his arms and held me tight, letting me hide my face in his chest and snuggle as close to him as possible.
"I missed you," I whispered bashfully against his chest, feeling a little ashamed for being so weak.
"I missed you, too. Come up here," he said, prying me up for a kiss. Our cuddling turned into making out pretty heavily.
"I'm nearly six weeks. I say we go for it."
He chuckled and kissed me lightly, pulling away. That wasn't a good sign. "We say to wait six weeks, so you don't risk infection. Besides, you're not on birth control right now."
My shoulders sagged, defeated. "What about condoms?" I asked suddenly excited again. "They'd protect me against infections, too, wouldn't they?"
"Do you have a condom?" he asked, like he didn't plan on giving in even if I did have one.
"No," I grumped.
He laughed and kissed my pout. "I'll make sure McKenna gets you in first thing on Monday morning, alright? Have you thought about what kind of birth control you want to use?"
I flopped back on my bed. "I was on the pill before, but I've felt so scatterbrained lately, I'm thinking I should do something else. I don't want to forget and mess things up."
"There are a lot of options out there."
"Care to enlighten me, Dr. Carrington?"
He chuckled and kissed my shoulder. "It really depends on what you're comfortable using and how much effort you want to put into it."
"How about none, but I still want to have sex and not get pregnant. Do you have something for that?" I teased.
"I think an implant would be a good idea, if that's what you're looking for. They're good for up to five years and easy to have removed."
I rolled over and looked at him, really interested in what he was saying. "So basically, I'll be baby and worry-free?"
"Well, you'll still have Katie," he joked, and I pushed him back on the bed and straddled him.
"How soon could we get together after I get it?"
"Have you had a period since Katie was born?"
"No, I don't have them while I'm nursing."
He started kissing on me again. This was a good sign. "None at all?" he asked nibbling my ear.
"Not with Tyler, either, until I weaned him to night and naptime at fifteen months. After that, I started taking the pill."
He kissed over my collarbone.
"Trent," I whined, he was driving me crazy. "How soon?"
"Depending on the implant, as soon as the day after. I'd want to wait if you had spotting after it's implanted. That’d put you at risk for infection again. I can't have my hot baby momma being sick."
I giggled at his silly name. It sounded completely ridiculous coming from him, a highly educated doctor. He silenced my giggles with another kiss. I had always been fine going without sex. I didn't know what was wrong with me. For some reason, having it available yet unavailable at the same time made me want it badly. His hands started to wander, and I was quick to encourage it. I needed something!
The next morning, I woke to a foot in my back. When I rolled over, I found Tyler wedged between Trent and I. He was sound asleep, both of them snoring softly. I heard Katie start to fuss and quickly picked her up before she woke up my boys. It was a little after six o'clock, which was Katie's regular feeding time. I usually fed her in the bed, but there wasn't room at the moment, so I moved to the rocking chair.
I held back my giggles, as I watched Tyler flop around. Trent must have been exhausted, because he was sleeping like a log and didn’t even flinch, when Tyler kicked him in the head.
Once I fed Katie and was able to get her back to bed, I decided to move Tyler back into his, so I could sleep a while longer. It was easier to reach over Trent to lift Tyler, than to crawl across my bed to get him out from Trent's side.
I was leaning over Trent and scooting Tyler closer to his side. I almost had him to where I could get a better grip on him, before I tried to lift him, but then I felt a hand on my butt. "What are you doing?" Trent whispered sleepily.
"I'm going to put Tyler back to bed. Go back to sleep, I can carry him in there."
His eyes opened wider, and he sat up quickly. "No, no, you're not supposed to be lifting anything heavier than the baby. Have you been lifting him while I was gone?"
I wanted to roll my eyes at him, but I didn't, because I knew he was just worried about me. "I think I've mostly just lifted him to my lap when I'm sitting."
Tyler chose that moment to kick Trent in the kidney. Now that he was awake, Trent felt it. "I see why you wanted to move him. I've got him, babe. You go back to sleep. I'll be right back." He scooped Tyler up with ease and carried him out of the room. I plopped down in the bed and sprawled out.
I felt Trent sneak in next to me, pulling me into his side. "I know where he gets his crazy sleeping from now." He chuckled and kissed my head. I snuggled closer. Man…I missed him so much.
The next time I woke up, I heard Tyler whispering, "We're not supposed to wake mommy."
Tyler was standing on a diaper box, trying to quiet his sister. Katie wasn't crying, but I could tell she was trying to make some noise and talk back to her brother. I felt Trent's arms tighten around me and looked over my shoulder to see him smiling and watching Tyler with me. When he saw I was awake, he leaned down and kissed me softly.
"You're awake!" Tyler cheered loudly, startling Katie and making her cry. "I didn't do it, she was already up!"
I laughed and went to sit up to get the baby, but Trent jumped out of the bed. "Let me." He picked up his daughter, cuddling her. "Good morning, sunshine." She settled down as soon as she heard his voice. I knew then that there was no way we could live apart. I had to find a way to fix things so we could be together.
As we loaded the cars, I wondered if I was bringing too much or not enough. Was I assuming too much by packing a full week's worth of everything for me and the kids? We had barely discussed us visiting and never touched on how long we would stay.
I caught sight of Trent frowning, as he put two boxes of diapers in the trunk of my car. Did he think I was bringing too many and didn’t want us to stay that long? I hated not knowing, and I was too afraid to ask, not sure I would want to hear his answer.
"Just so you're aware and ready for it, word had gotten around town that you were coming for a visit, so don't be surprised if you have a welcoming committee made up of the bridge club," Trent warned.
I nodded, climbing in my car silently. Tyler would be riding in his car and Katie in mine. I had fed her just before we left, but knew I'd likely have to stop at some point to feed her again. Trent suggested I drive in front of him, so he could keep an eye on my car. He didn't like that I drove a much older, less reliable vehicle.
Katie fell asleep soon after I made it to the highway. The steady hum of the car and blur of the trees put her right to sleep. I was happy she settled in so quickly. Every once in a while, I would look in my rearview mirror to see how Trent was doing. Several times, I could see little Tyler's arms waving animatedly, as he told Trent some exciting story. Trent was wearing a huge grin the whole time. Eventually, Tyler fell asleep, too.
It looked like we were going to make it to his house without stopping, and I was happy for it. I didn't want to drag out the drive any longer than I had to.
When we pulled up to his house, Vera was on her porch and waved to us. Trent was quick to take Katie's car seat from me. "You shouldn't be lifting this," he scolded, and once again, I held back my eye roll. We had just finished bringing in the last of our things, when there was a knock on the door.
It was Ms. Vera with all her friends in tow. They wanted to see the baby, but Katie was hungry after her long ride.
"You go ahead and fill her up and then hand her over to me to burp," Vera ordered.
"I like to burp her," Trent whined, and the
y all burst into a fit of giggles. They gave his cheek a pat and called him a sweet man. He really was.
Tyler was in a good mood after his car ride nap and happily entertained the women by showing them his room. Trent had redecorated the guestroom for Tyler, and he was very excited about his new Elmo room, which was a lot like at Maymay's, only better, because it was at his daddy's house.
The ladies had brought lunch with them, and so we ate and chatted with them. Tyler did his best to dominate the conversation.
Ms. June asked a loaded question, and the room fell silent. "So, are you here for good?" she had asked looking at me expectantly.
My eyes darted to Trent, half hoping he'd read my mind and answer for me. Thankfully, he noticed my uncomfortable expression.
"She has a job back in Waco, so she'll need to get back to it. I plan on transferring up there eventually. I have a few things I need to take care of first." He grimaced at the last bit.
"Is someone harassing you again, honey?" Vera pried.
"Yes, but I have my lawyer on it already. Hopefully, we can get this under control before it gets out of hand." I was surprised he answered them so honestly, but then I remembered that he'd gone through that mess once before in Livingston, and they had rallied behind him. I knew they would once more.
Not long after they left, Maylene called to invite us over for dinner. Roger was home and was able to see Katie for the first time. He made some funny faces at her, which made us all laugh, startling her and making her cry. Over all, it was a fun evening.
We were exhausted by the time we made it back to Trent's house. He helped Tyler get settled in bed, and I fed Katie. I wondered if Katie wasn't breastfed, would Trent keep me around. I'd like to think he would.
I expected Trent to come get Katie to burp her, but I heard his phone ring. I didn't plan on eavesdropping, but his angry tone of voice drew me in. I didn't hear much, just the end. "Damn it, Brian, just take care of it. It can't be that hard to dismiss! You have my records, they're open for the board, just handle it already!" He was quiet for a bit, obviously listening to someone speaking. "I know, and I'm sorry, thank you. Thanks for keeping me updated," he said, before he hung up.
When he turned around, he saw me standing there with a wide-eyed Katie. "Did you want to burp her?" I asked.
His tense face broke into a relaxed smile. "I'd loved to, thank you for bringing her to me." He quickly cuddled our daughter.
I took advantage of my free time and took a shower and readied for bed. When I came out of the bathroom to get dressed, I saw Katie was asleep in her bassinette, and Trent was out of the room. I knew he had a baby monitor, so I wasn't worried about her. I was worried about him, though, because he usually liked to sit with the children while they were sleeping. Maybe the novelty of having children was wearing off.
I found him sitting at the kitchen table with his head in his hands.
"Are you alright?" I asked worried.
"Yeah, just work stuff."
"Are their complaints causing you trouble?"
"No, not yet, but I have to appear before the hospital board on Monday and explain to them what's going on."
"They won't be upset, will they? They can't be. It's not your fault."
"Even so, I'm causing trouble. It doesn't look good. It's going to be difficult to find a new job in Waco with so many complaints against me."
"But they'll be dismissed!"
"They'll still have been brought against me." He sounded so defeated.
"I'm sorry."
"It's not your fault. They would've come after me sooner or later. I just want to get everything over with. My attorney, Brian Whitman, and his wife, Kelly, are digging into the website and filing charges against the women who've posted false accusations. Because it's affecting my livelihood and my ability to move closer to my children, they shouldn't be too hard to prosecute. Brian said their intent was to do harm to my career with known lies. It should be an open and shut case, once they can identify everyone."
"Well, that's good. Maybe you can get rid of them once and for all."
"One can only hope."
Trent did his best not to dwell on the mess for the rest of the weekend. Unfortunately, the meeting with the hospital board weighed heavily on his mind. When it was just me and him, he would rest, but was distractedly quiet. I didn't push him.
True to his word, Trent had me slotted for the first appointment with Dr. McKenna. She was sweet, beautiful and extremely smart. I didn't know why Trent never bothered to date her. They would have been a perfect match. It didn't help that my jealously flamed wildly, when Trent handed her little Katie. Her cuddling my daughter made him smile, and I hated it. I was on the verge of asking to see the guy doctor, when I was ushered into the exam room.
I quickly changed into my little gown, and Dr. McKenna returned with the nurse I believed was named Amy. The whole side of her face was swollen and black and blue.
Trent jumped to his feet in shock. "What happen, Amy? Are you alright to work?"
She burst into tears and my jealously flared again, when Trent pulled the crying woman into his arms.
"She was mugged on Saturday night in the grocery store parking lot," McKenna answered for her.
"Mugged? This isn't New York, how on earth was she mugged?" Trent asked shocked.
"It's been the only violent crime committed by a stranger against a stranger in the past thirty years. The sheriff has everyone on it. It's been a huge upset. I'm surprised you didn't hear about it from your grannies."
"I'm sure they're busy doing their own investigation," Trent mused.
"I wouldn't be surprised if Vera and her little card-playing clan didn't come up with the perp before the police."
Katie chose that moment to fuss and caused my milk to let down. I was regretting not leaving her with Tyler and Maylene at "Maymay's house" while I went to the doctor, but most people had met Tyler at the baby shower, and Trent wanted to show off his daughter.
"I'm so sorry, Clara. This must all seem silly to a big city girl. I'm sure you know lots of people who’ve been mugged," McKenna apologized, but I wasn't sure how to take it.
"I usually just stay out of the bad neighborhoods. I didn't think there was one here, though," I said looking sympathetically at Amy. I didn't want her to think I blamed her for the attack.
"Exactly!" McKenna exclaimed excitedly. She wasn't acting very professionally, but I had to keep in mind that this wasn't just my doctor, but Trent's friend. "We don't really have a bad neighborhood. Well, there are those two four-plexes that are Section Eight housing, but they aren't really scary, just a bit rundown."
"I hope they catch the guy who attacked you, Amy. Thank heavens he only mugged you and didn't do anything worse."
"I hope so, too, but it wasn't a guy, it was a girl who attacked me."
Trent's brow furrowed, but he didn't say anything.
We switched topics and got right to my exam, once I finished feeding Katie. When McKenna asked about birth control, I looked at Trent to answer for me. I knew we had discussed it, and he'd know what to ask for better than I would.
I was surprised by McKenna's smirk and Trent's blush. Amy started giggling, and I thought they were being a bunch of unprofessional nuts.
Trent finally cleared his throat and answered. "We discussed her getting an IUC. She doesn't menstruate while she's nursing, so now would be as good a time as any to put it in," he tried to sound casual, but failed.
"You know you have to give her a day or two if there is spotting," McKenna reminded.
I huffed. "He knows, and he doesn't budge on rules like that."
"Well, it's good to know Trent cares enough to put your health before-" McKenna started, but Trent cut her off.
"I'd never put her at risk."
I squeezed his hand. "We know, honey. There's no better person to look after me than you." It was true.
He smiled softly at me and kissed me lightly. "Thank you, sweetheart."
A
my suddenly hugged me. "I'm so glad you're here. You make him so happy," she gushed.
It was going to be weird having my OB/GYN and her nurse as my friends. There was obviously no way around it. I would suppose it was just part of living in a small town, where everyone knew everyone else.
Then it hit me. Trent's office was the only OB/GYN office in town, and they had three doctors, and three nurses. Amy, being one of those nurses, would have seen every woman in town at some point over the years, and she hadn't recognized the woman who had attacked her. I suddenly understood why Trent's brow had furrowed.
There was a woman in town who should not be here.
Chapter 20 - Resigned
We had taken separate cars to the doctor's office, so I could leave him at work and head back home…to his house. I called Maylene, and she answered right away. I could hear Tyler giggling in the background. "Hi, Maylene, I'm done with my appointment. I was going to swing by and pick up Tyler, but he sounds like he's having fun. Do you want to keep him a while longer?"
"That'd be great. You and Katie should go have a good nap. Tyler and I will be fine. I'll call you when he gets tired of me and wants to go home."
"That may be a while," I laughed.
"I know, I just don't get him often enough. I want to make the most of what time I do have with him." There was no hurt or malice in Maylene's words, but they hit me hard all the same.
I settled in at Trent's place, ready to feed Katie and chat on the phone with my mom. I hadn't seen her in a few days, and I missed her insight and encouragement. I really needed both.
Before I had a chance to dial her number, my phone rang. "Hey, Mom, I was just getting ready to call you."
"Hey, honey, how are you holding up? You had your doctor's appointment today, didn't you?"
"Yeah, it went well. I really got a taste of the small town mentality today."
"A good taste I hope. I'm sure I could get Maylene on their case if someone is mistreating you."
"No need for that. It's just weird to have a doctor and a nurse who think of you as a friend. The nurse, Amy, hugged me and thanked me for making Trent happy."
A Life Unplanned Page 14