My blood pumps with joy and I have to find my voice and stop smiling like a fool.
“Oh my God, that's great news. So I mean...I can like try..naturally?” I ask, leaning forward in my seat.
Dr. Carmichael laughs and shakes her head.
“I'd say you don't have to try anymore, but by all means continue on,” she says, writing something down in my folder.
“I…”
“Oh my God!” Charlotte says loudly. “Savannah… Wait, Dr. Carmichael, are you sayin’ what I think you're sayin’?” Charlotte asks, clapping her hands together, covering her mouth.
“Yes ma'am. Like I said, congratulations are in order, to the both of you. You're about eighteen weeks along, give or take,” she says, smiling.
“The weddin’,” Charlotte whispers.
My head is spinning, and I swear I'm in a dream.
“But my condition. My fallopian tubes were blocked, how did they just...what…”
“Like I said, I didn't see a thing your last doctor suggested. If I were you Ms. Gavinwood, I would contact a lawyer. Things like that just don't get accidentally charted and don't miraculously disappear either, if you know what I mean.”
Her words bounce around in my head.
“I'm pregnant,” I whisper, putting a hand on my belly. “I'm gonna be a mother.”
Charlotte jumps up and hugs me and we both laugh like crazed lunatics. All of a sudden, those laughs turn into sobs and before I know it, we’re both blabbering messes.
“Oh my God, Charlotte, I...I have no idea what I'm doin’,” I say, laughing through the tears.
“Hey, if I could deal with twins at 18, you'll totally rock this, Mama,” she says, hugging me again.
“What about Jackson...he...I don't know how he's gonna take this,” I say, my mood instantly souring.
I've waited so long to be a mother, prepared to do it on my own, but that was when the father would have been anonymous, simply a donor. I know the man that gave me this special gift. He is a wonderful father to Lacey and it would kill me if he didn't want to be the same for this baby.
“He is crazy about you, he would be nuts to want anythin’ different. We'll figure it out, okay?”
A throat clears behind us and we turn to see Dr. Carmichael smiling.
“Oh Gosh, we’re so rude. Thank you so much. We'll get outta your hair,” I say, grabbing for Charlotte's hand.
“Let's just do a quick checkup while you're here,” she says, getting up from her desk.
We follow her into an exam room and she runs through the sonogram, confirming in fact that I am eighteen weeks pregnant and thankfully, with just one baby. She gives me the list of do’s and don'ts and I immediately feel guilty for drinking the past couple of months, not having a clue that I was even pregnant.
The doctor assured me that if it was only a couple of times and early enough the baby should be fine.
I still feel like an idiot. All of the signs and I totally missed them. My mood swings, my crying, my aversion to crawfish. My normally heavy periods, now only a quick day or two. Even ny slight weight gain I chalked up to all the stress.
All I keep thinking about is Dr. Carmichael’s words.
I would get a good lawyer.
Thinking back on my previous doctors, I always thought something was a little off. When my original doctor diagnosed me, Hugh’s mother recommended me to another one for a second opinion. All the pieces start falling into place. That fucking bastard. I'll kill him.
“Andrew, I'm comin’ to your office. We got a situation,” I say through the phone, as Charlotte drives us to his office.
“Sure, I'm in and I have news for you too. See you in a few.”
“What are you gonna do?” Charlotte asks.
“Kill him. Bury him so far underground that his dead corpse is gonna disintegrate from the heat comin’ off the core of the earth. That lyin’ sack of crap. All these years I thought…dammit,” my anger, slowly fading to hurt.
Sadness creeps into my brain and causes my tears to flow. Damn hormones.
“I know,” Charlotte says, grabbing my hand over the center console. “But you're gonna be a mama, Sav. He's an asshole. Don't let him take your happiness from you. You're gettin’ what you want and he sure as hell is gonna get what he deserves, you know that. Just wait until Gabriel hears about this. They'll be a line as long as the Mississippi to get to him.”
She’s right. He has taken so much away from me already. Time, my confidence, self-esteem, my hard-earned money. So damn much. He doesn't get to take a single damn thing more.
“You're right. Let's get this snake so that I can finally move on with my life.”
We pull up outside Andrew's office building and Charlotte follows me inside. I wave to the secretary and walk back, towards his office. Andrew is already waiting for us and he motions us inside.
“So, you wanna go first or me?” he asks.
“Well, I have a feelin’ once I tell you what I Have to say, whatever your news is will be irrelevant, but by all means,” I say sitting down opposite his desk.
“Now you have me intrigued,” he says, arching his eyebrows.
“I'm pregnant,” I blurt out, “The good old fashion way.”
Andrew opens his mouth and then closes it furrowing his brows.
“How…”
“My new doctor told me the diagnosis from my previous doctor is a load of shit. She couldn't find one damn thing wrong with me and I'm about five months pregnant.”
Andrew looks up at me and I can see his head starting to spin.
“But it never happened with Hugh. Now it happens this fast with Jackson?”
“Crazy ain't it? One time, Andrew. It took one damn time. See somethin’ fishy about this?”
“The dependent clause...shit,” Andrew says, slamming his hand on the desk. “I'll make some phone calls, but dammit, how did we not siphon through this earlier. I'm so sorry, Savannah,” he says, shaking his head.
“All’s forgiven Andrew, let's just nail this cheatin’ scum and send his ass to hell. What’s your news?”
“He uh...he’s been throwin’ around some money with Charlie, your caseworker for Tucker.”
“Andrew, don’t fuck with me.” My tone is quiet and menacing and I don’t even recognize my own voice.
“We’re on it. All of this helps too, but that’s probably the reason this has all taken so long. We’ll get it all straightened out, you’ll have him soon, I promise you.”
“Yeah, I will,” I say getting to my feet.
I relax my hands which have now effectively made nail indents in my palms and shake Andrew’s hand. Charlotte and I walk out to her car and I instruct her to drive me home. I need to relax in a nice warm bath before I drive to Hugh’s house and murder him myself.
Hugh aside, I do need to figure out how to break the news to Jackson. He doesn't have a little while to figure out what he wants, it's already been decided for him. Let's just hope that he's happy with it.
Chapter 18
Savannah
“I feel like we've been through all this before,” Jackson says, smiling.
“Because we have. Go on and have a good time. We'll be fine here. It's only a night, she's stayed longer,” I say, as Jackson kisses my cheek.
“But I feel like somethin’ is botherin’ you this time. I don't wanna leave if you're upset. Did I do somethin’? We haven't been the same and I just...” he trails off eyeing me.
I'm the worst liar, but he sprang this last-minute trip with Gabriel on me this afternoon, as soon as I sank into my bath. They're going down to New Orleans to watch Devin’s game for the night and I still haven't gotten the chance to tell him my news. What's one more night?
“The only wrong thing you did was not give me a proper goodbye kiss. We're fine Jax.”
He smiles and leans in, kissing me hard on my lips and I gasp. Charlotte was right, these pregnancy hormones are no joke. No wonder I’ve been such a sexpot.
; “Call us if anything, okay?” Gabriel says, a sternness to his tone.
“Easy brother. Don't go all caveman on me. We'll be fine. Y'all have a good time and tell Devin I expect a no hitter.”
They both wave and I shut the door behind them, making my way into the kitchen where Lacey and Charlotte are sitting.
Charlotte's phone rings on the table and she glances at it, smiling as she picks it up.
“You’re missin’ girls’ night. How's practice been goin’?” she asks through the phone.
Bella made the women's national softball team and she's currently in Florida for practices. It's crazy to think I have an amazingly talented nephew and a just as talented niece. Charlotte nods her head and I motion for her to put it on speaker.
“Y'all there? Aunt Savannah, too?” asks Bella.
“Yep. I'm here Bells. Me, your mama and Lace. The men went to watch Dev in New Orleans. We miss ya.”
“I miss y’all too,” she says quietly.
I can tell something is wrong and immediately call her out on it. We have no secrets in this family anymore.
“What's goin’ on Bells, somethin’ is wrong,” I say.
“I...uh...they're doin’ a charity thing, the whole team. I just wanna tell y'all first, before you see it on your own,” she says, a nervousness lacing her tone.
“What do ya mean, a charity thing? Why do ya sound so nervous, Bells?” Charlotte asks.
“We did the photo shoot today. It's for a good cause Mama, veterans and stuff. I'm not naked, I just…”
She trails off and I see Charlotte's face pale.
“Bells. Explain...not naked,” I say, trying to take the reins because Charlotte looks stunned.
“It's kinda skimpy,” she says nervously. “But half the profit goes to a veteran’s foundation, like I said nothin’ is showin’. I told them I didn't wanna, so it's really just like a bathin’ suit bottom,” she says quickly.
I put my hand on Charlotte's shoulder, but she doesn't relax.
“Can you send us what it looks like, Bells? Your mama is a little...it would make this easier if we saw it,” I say.
“I'll text ya’ my spread. It's only one picture, the rest of the calendar is the rest of the team. Mine’s the least...well, you'll see.”
“Send it on over, I'm sure it's fine. You know what you're doin’ Bells, we trust ya,” I say, rubbing Charlotte's shoulders, trying to get a reaction from her.
She seems to snap out of it, taking her phone and clicking off the speaker as she walks into the other room. She starts talking to Bella and Lacey and I look at each other.
“I'm sure it's nothin’ bad. Bella ain't like that,” Lacey says.
“I know, but mama's still get nervous. Just wait until my brother hears about this. Damn,” I say shuttering, just realizing now, that Gabriel is going to blow a gasket.
Charlotte comes back a couple seconds later, turning her phone towards me.
“This is her picture. It ain't terrible, but Gabe is gonna go crazy,” she says, shaking her head.
I glance at the phone and it isn't too bad. Bella is in a tight baseball shirt and a matching pair of boy shorts. Her body is turned sideways, so you can see pretty much half her ass.
Her long brown hair is loose and curly down her back and she is holding a bat, slumped over one shoulder, her eyes are covered with her black-rimmed glasses.
“She's a knockout,” Lacey says, whistling. “I don't think you should show this to Gabriel.”
“I can't lie to him about it. What if he sees it from someone else? He'll never forgive me after everything,” Charlotte whines.
“Yeah, I got nothin’,” I say, shrugging.
“I need to sleep on it. I thought the teenage years were supposed to be the hardest, not the adult years. I feel like crap, I'm sorry to bail but...”
“It'll be okay, Charlotte, get some sleep. It'll be fine. Besides, it's just a tiny ass cheek,” I say, trying to reassure her.
“There is nothin’ tiny about that ass and y'all know it,” Charlotte says, shaking her head. “That is a softball ass and every man is gonna know it, too. Gabe is gonna murder whoever's idea that was.”
She shakes her head and walks down the hallway to the guest room.
Lacey and I look at each other and laugh then rummage around in the kitchen for some snacks.
“Still down for movie night?” I ask, putting the popcorn in the microwave.
“I wouldnt turn it down for nothin’,” she says smiling at me.
I smile back and my heart warms. Lacey isn't mine, but in this moment, I feel like she is. It's crazy to think just some short months ago she was fighting in school, and now, she's a completely different girl. I don't want to take credit for it, but she is definitely the reason for the change in me. Her presence in the office is refreshing, her constant hunger for knowledge in the sports management field is contagious, and she even has a better work ethic than Gabriel.
“Savannah!”
The hair on my arm stands up hearing Charlotte's panicked voice from the bedroom. I run down the hall and see her standing by the side of the bed, a big puddle by her feet.
“Did you pee yours-...oh no,” I say, realizing we are in deep shit right now.
“Lacey, grab my phone and the charger and start my car,” I yell towards the kitchen.
“But...I...I'm not sure I should…”
“You can start the car Lace, just like I taught you, okay?”
She nods from the doorway of the bedroom and then she is gone as I run towards Charlotte's side.
“Savannah, I still have four weeks. I...call Gabriel,” she says, holding onto her belly.
I nod and grab her under her arm, slinging it over my shoulder, slowly walking her towards the bathroom.
“Let's get ya in some fresh clothes and we'll be on our way.”
A couple of minutes later, all three of us are in my small sedan, driving to the hospital. I chain called Gabriel with no answer while Lacey left a message on Jackson's phone to come home right away. We didn't want to panic them, but Charlotte's water breaking four weeks early, seems like a right time to panic. I'm sure it'll be fine, but Gabriel needs to get his ass back here.
***
“Where is she? Is she okay?” asks Gabriel, running towards Lacey and me in the hallway of the hospital.
“She's okay, go in,” I say, motioning for him to go inside Charlotte's room.
Jackson jogs up behind him and pulls Lacey and me in for a hug.
“How is she doin’?”
“She's okay. They're monitorin’ them both. Baby's been good so far, contractions are comin’ quick.”
“Did they say what happened? Why so early?”
“No. They did a sonogram and she's almost seven pounds, so they ain't worried. I am though. I can't be in there, I'm petrified,” I say, trying to stop my body from shaking.
“Now I get it,” he whispers in my ear. “The scare she had a couple months back. I didn't understand your reaction then, but now I do. Why you need this baby.”
He runs a hand through my hair and kisses the top of my head. Tell him, Savannah. This is the perfect time to tell him that yes, you needed this baby, to live vicariously through Charlotte, but now we're gonna have one of our own, probably two if all goes well with Tucker now.
His phone rings, breaking the moment and I step back, out of his embrace. I sling my arm around Lacey as he answers his phone.
“Hey Coach, what's goin’ on? Yep. Maybe in an hour or so, dependin’. A friend of mine went into labor a little early, just wanna make sure all is good. Yeah, okay. Sounds good. Thanks Coach.”
He ends the call and turns to us, his eyes zeroing in on the contact point between myself and Lacey. He smiles, a wide, genuine smile and I absolutely have to tell him in this moment.
“Savvy.”
“Jax.”
We say at the same time. We both laugh, and he motions for me to talk. I shake my head.
“No, g
o on. What were ya gonna say?”
“Coach has somethin’ important he needs to discuss with me. If all is good, mind if Lace stays here with you? I shouldn't be long, he said it'll be quick.”
“Of course.” I smile and hug Lacey tighter and Gabriel comes out of the room.
“Doc's givin’ her the epidural, now. Should be a couple more hours. Baby's doin’ just fine, though Charlotte on the other hand., well, let's just say I can't go back in there until she gets the epidural. You'd think you were at a State football game with all that cussin’. She ain't too happy with me.”
Going, Going, Goner (Double Play Series Book 2) Page 15