by K. C. Crowne
Dr. Lawton pursed his lips and didn’t look pleased in the slightest, but he handed over the folder. Most people wouldn’t be able to make heads or tails of it, but I wasn’t most people.
Babies’ heartbeats were normal. Something he failed to mention and was the main thing I was looking for. If they were normal, that was a good sign. Still didn’t mean she was completely in the clear, as miscarriage could still happen. But unlike Dr. Lawton, my instructions to Felicity wouldn’t be so dismissive. I’d make sure her, and the babies were fine.
I handed the file back to him. “Can we go?”
Ooo000ooo
“Just for tonight, because I’m too tired to argue with you.” Felicity leaned back in the passenger side of my car, closing her eyes. We’d said goodbye to Leah who’d waited until we were ready to go. At first, Felicity thought she was riding home with Leah, but I told her she was coming home with me - so I could keep an eye on her, just in case there was more bleeding or other concerns.
“You know, I’d feel much more comfortable with you staying at my place from now on,” I added.
“Just for tonight,” she repeated, opening her eyes and looking over at me with a defiant look.
God, she was so sexy when she was bossy. Scratch that, she was sexy as hell all the time. And the bigger she got with my babies in her belly, the sexier she became too. I’m not even sure how that was possible.
She closed her eyes again and the drive to my place was mostly quiet. I thought she might be sleeping, but every once in a while, she’d move or open her eyes and stare out the window. She was anxious, and I wanted to do something - anything - to help.
We pulled into my driveway, and I rushed over to help her out of the car. Even though I tried to keep my pathways clear, fresh snow littered the ground around us and I was afraid there could be ice as well. Felicity scowled but took my hand anyway.
“You treat me like I’m fragile,” she said, frowning. “But I guess in a way, I am. I hate this.”
She didn’t fight me as I helped her up the stairs and into my house. As soon as the front door opened, Koda greeted us.
“Looks like someone is happy to see you. He’ll just love having you stay with us,” I said.
“It’s just for tonight,” she repeated yet again, giving me a look of death.
“I think you need to reconsider that, Felicity. But for tonight, I think we both just need to get some sleep, so I won’t argue with you.”
“Good,” Felicity said, petting Koda on the head. I noticed her movements were so careful, she didn’t bend over or sit down on the floor. She wasn’t very far along, but because she was carrying triplets, was already starting to show. Her rounder belly peeked out from her sweater as it rode up. She pulled it down as soon as she noticed, but I caught a glimpse of it - and it was beautiful.
“I should get the guest room ready for you. Take a seat in the living room, I’ll start a fire.”
Felicity followed me, and Koda followed Felicity. He was a friendly dog, he liked everyone - but he seemed even more attached to Felicity. Normally I was his number one person, but when she was around, he was almost always by her side. Perhaps he sensed she was with child and protective of her, or maybe he just sensed that she was a good person. Probably a little of both.
Felicity took a seat as I got the fire going for her. Her eyelids appeared heavy, but she fought against the tiredness and kept them as open as she could.
I knew better than to ask if she needed anything - she’d just tell me no. So I went into the kitchen and got her a glass of water. I grabbed some crackers and cheese for her too, just in case she was hungry. Then I had another thought and made her a hot herbal tea, just in case she wanted something warm.
I brought everything out to her, while grabbing a blanket from the hall closet.
“Jesus, you’re just going to be preparing the guest room, Abe. You’re not going to be gone long,” she said, chuckling as I placed everything on the table in front of her.
“Just wanted to make sure you have everything you need, to keep you from moving around too much.”
“Are you going to use the bathroom for me too?” There was a twinkle in her eye. She was teasing me now. At least some of the annoyance was gone, for the moment.
“If you need to use the bathroom before I get back, just call for me and I can--”
“I think I can handle using the restroom on my own, Abe. But thank you.”
I opened my mouth to argue but decided against it. She was less annoyed right now, but I could see it in her eyes, the good mood wouldn’t last long if I kept it up.
“I just want you to take it easy.”
“And I will,” she said. “I’m not going anywhere tonight, except for bed. Well, maybe to the bathroom a few hundred times since the babies keep pressing on my bladder, but you can’t get up with me every time I have to go anyway.”
“Yes, I could.”
She tilted her head to the side and rolled her eyes. “Please get the guest room ready, I’m exhausted. That’s what I really need you to do right now.”
“I’m on it,” I said. “But if you need anything else--”
“I’ll be fine,” she said, waving me off.
I hurried down to the end of the hall. The room I’d chosen for her was on the first floor, not too far from the master bedroom. It would be turned into the nursery at some point, but for now, it was a guest bedroom with a queen bed and a private bathroom. Plus, it was literally right next door to my room which meant I was always close by. I didn’t use it too much, since mostly I liked my privacy and had plenty of bedrooms upstairs, but I wanted to be nearby in case she called out to me in the middle of the night.
I didn’t have to do much - the house cleaners freshened all the rooms up frequently, including the rooms that never got much use. I checked that there were clean sheets on the bed and that she had a thick, soft down comforter. I checked that the bathroom was stocked for her as well. Everything was perfect.
As I walked back into the living room, I found Felicity on the couch, with Koda’s head in her lap. She looked to be asleep. Her eyes were closed and she looked so peaceful, I didn’t want to wake her. I grabbed the blanket I’d bought in and covered her up, but as I did so, her eyes flickered open.
“The room’s ready, or you can sleep here. Wherever you’re most comfortable.”
Felicity didn’t answer, she gently moved Koda’s head from her lap. He stood up as soon as he realized I was helping Felicity. He often helped children with mobility issues and he waited by our side, a safe distance, but there in case she needed him. I grabbed her hand and helped her to her feet, and once she was standing, we were face-to-face and inches apart.
After everything she’d been through this evening, she still smelled like sweet vanilla and fresh lavender. I wasn’t sure how she could smell so good after being at the hospital all evening, but it was addicting. I relished in her scent for a moment, my hand still locked in hers.
Before I knew what was happening, I moved closer to her - our lips inches apart.
“Abe,” she said, her breath coming out warm against my lips. “We can’t keep doing this.”
She was right.
I pulled away, careful to make sure I didn’t knock her off her feet. She let go of my hand and moved toward the hallway, not looking back.
“Here, let me show you to your room,” I said, my voice hardly coming out at all.
I stepped in front of her and led her to the room, Koda on both of our heels. I was thinking he might end up sleeping with her, which in a way made me feel better. He could alert me to anything that went wrong, another one of his many talents.
As long as she was okay with it, that is.
I shouldn’t have even doubted it though.
Felicity stepped into the room, Koda following. She scratched his ears and smiled.
“If you need anything, let me know. I’m right next door. You can call my name and I’ll hear you.”
“Thanks for e
verything, Abe,” she said, moving toward the door.
I stepped outside of it, and her and Koda gave me one last look before she shut me out into the hallway.
I needed to give her space. Not just for her sake, but for mine as well. With a heavy sigh, I went to my own room and eventually climbed into my own bed. It was hard sleeping with her so close by. My king-sized bed had never felt so lonely.
Felicity
Koda curled up at my feet, almost like a foot warmer. I’d never had a dog sleep with me in bed before, and while it took some getting used to, I had to admit, it made me feel safer.
Not just Koda, obviously - but Abe being nearby as well.
No one had ever taken care of me before, and I wasn’t used to it - but I had to admit, it was nice.
I pulled the thick blanket up over my shoulder and rolled over. I was normally a back sleeper, but I needed to get used to sleeping on my side. The bed was so comfortable, even more so than the one I had at home. Everything about this place was cozy and made me feel safe. It made me want to reconsider Abe’s offer.
But then I remembered the almost kiss. Even Abe wasn’t sure what he wanted right now. He said he didn’t want anything serious, but then he kept doing things like that. Until he decided what he wanted, I wasn’t sure I could trust the two of us under the same roof.
However, there was a lingering thought in my head - it might be the best thing for the babies. I should put the babies first, I thought. That, and well, maybe a little hopeful thinking too. Yes, I was thinking that Abe might change his mind, in time.
My eyes drifted close finally, and as soon as they did, my dreams took over.
“Hi honey,” I said, kissing Abe on the lips.
Three little toddlers were pulling at Abe’s pant legs, begging for his attention.
Abe picked up one of them, a little girl and kissed her. Then went between the rest of them too, one by one. He came back to me at the end, giving me a deep, passionate kiss on the lips.
“How was your day, sweetie?” he asked.
“Busy, but we’re almost ready to open,” I said. “We just have to put the finishing touches on the menu, make sure it’s perfect. People have higher expectations in fine dining than they do at diners, after all.”
“That they do, but I have no doubt you’ll come up with the best food in Utah.”
Abe sat down on the floor, and I joined him. The three kids were around us, and we played with them. He was such a good father, a doting dad. Always tickling and making them laugh. The kids loved him, just as I did.
How could I have gotten so lucky, I thought to myself, staring at the big, brute of a man with the tiny little toddlers all around him. How did I make him mine?
Of course, it was all a dream, and I woke up from the dream before long. My alarm went off, and I knew what that meant - I had to get into the restaurant. I’d only managed a few hours of sleep, but someone had to open. I’d eventually hand over the reins to Allison and maybe one other person, but I needed to figure out who else could handle it. Allison couldn’t do it all, not just yet, and we needed Gavin to manage things in the evening. Now that I was having triplets, I’d have to hand even more control over, and likely hand it over sooner. But until then, I should still go into work.
I quickly shower and get ready, while Koda stayed put on the bed. He watched me, and of course accepted pets and love from me, but seemed content to stay in bed all day.
“I feel ya, Koda,” I said. “I wish I could too.”
I checked and made sure there was no more bleeding. I was fine. It made me second guess what I saw the night before. Maybe I didn’t even need to go into the hospital, it had all been a waste. Perhaps if I had talked to Abe beforehand, he could have told me that.
There was a soft knock on the door.
Speaking of the devil, I thought.
“Come in,” I said.
I was wearing the same clothes from the night before. I’d have to head home to change before going in.
“I heard the shower,” he said, giving me a serious look. “Why are you up so early?”
“I need to open the restaurant today,” I said cooly.
“Isn’t there someone else who could do that for you?”
“Not at such short notice, no. But I don’t plan to stay long. Just until Allison gets in, and then I will try to re-work the schedule for the next week.”
“You know, it wouldn’t hurt to just open later,” he said. “Or not at all today. After what you’ve been through.”
I pulled on my socks and shoes really fast, while Abe joined me on the bed. He sat beside Koda and scratched the dog’s ears while I considered his request.
“I can’t just let things fall apart, Abe. I have to make sure it’s taken care of. If I let things slide too much, I won’t have a business to go back to once the babies are born.”
“Alright, but make me a promise, will ya?”
I turned and stared into those soulful eyes of his. “What?”
“That you’ll stay here, so I can keep an eye on you. At least for a few days.”
I sighed and closed my eyes, fighting out the competing thoughts in my head.
“If you’re going to work, I want to make sure you’re able to be off your feet at home,” he continued. “I want to be nearby in case there’s another scare.”
Tears welled in my eyes. It was the least I could do. If I had to continue working, I should take it as easy as possible - I’d obviously not work full shifts anyway, but when I was home, it would be nice not to have to worry about everything else. I could just relax, which would be good for the babies.
“Alright,” I said with a sigh. “But only for a few days.”
I think we both knew that was a lie.
Ooo000ooo
I agreed to stay with Abe until my follow-up appointment a few days later. We were assigned to a specialist, and Abe had personally vetted the new doctor himself.
Dr. Michelle Perez was apparently one of the best in the region for multiple births. We were lucky that she wasn’t too far away in Salt Lake City. Abe drove me, of course. I no longer argued with him, feeling too tired to argue, much less drive all that way. And, I had to admit, it was nice being taken care of - I began to let it happen without fighting it.
We pulled up to Dr. Perez’s office and Abe, as always helped me out of the car. Not much time had passed, but I was already feeling bloated and huge. I was still in the first trimester, but I was feeling very, very pregnant.
To put it mildly, I was feeling utterly miserable.
But I wanted to find out about the babies, to make sure the ER doctor had been right and that there was nothing wrong. I hadn’t had anymore bleeding, so I wanted to believe everything was fine - but with it being my first pregnancy, I felt uneasy about everything. I wasn’t sure what was normal, what wasn’t and I just wanted my babies to be alright.
Dr. Perez personally did the sonogram today, no technician, which I appreciated. She studied the screen and moved the wand around gently on my belly.
“See, that’s baby number one,” she said. “Then baby number two is tucked up here. Baby number three seems to be a shy, hiding behind number two.”
“And how are they?” I asked, staring at the blobs on the screen and loving them even though I couldn’t make out anything yet.
“They all seem very healthy to me. Their heartbeats are strong. I’d continue taking it easy, and we will have regular sonograms throughout the pregnancy to make sure everything is good. But as of right now, they seem to be very strong, mama. You’re doing well.”
I couldn’t keep the smile off my face. Abe looked down at me and mouthed, ”Good job.” and we shared a look between us. One of pride and happiness.
It took me a second to realize he was holding my hand.
“When can we find out the sex of the babies?” I asked. I couldn’t help but wonder if we were having girls or boys or both. I was hoping for both but would be happy as long as they were h
ealthy.
“Soon, usually at your eighteen or twenty week sonogram,” Dr. Perez said.
Abe gave my hand a squeeze as the doctor wiped down my tummy. Everything was normal.
“Is there anything I need to watch out for? Anything I shouldn’t be doing?” I asked.
“Just take it easy for now. You can still walk around and work a little, as long as there’s no heavy lifting and you’re resting enough. Don’t be on your feet too long. And sexual activity is fine as well.”
My cheeks flushed, and I looked away.
“Uh, okay, thank you,” I muttered as Abe helped me down from the table.
“Of course,” she said. “I know many couples are worried about things like that, but there’s no reason to be at this point.”
My cheeks burned even brighter now. Finally, I said, “We’re not a couple.”
“Oh, I’m sorry,” Dr. Perez said, and this time it was her turn to blush. “I didn’t mean to--”
“It’s fine,” Abe cut her off. “Don’t even worry about it.”
There was an awkward silence in the room as Dr. Perez left. I dismissed Abe, trying not to look at him as he exited the room to give me privacy to get dressed.
Ooo000ooo
I debated going home that night, but I was tired from the long day and it was just so damn comfortable at Abe’s. I wasn’t up for debating the issue and didn’t say anything as he drove me back to his place. He made dinner as I sat in front of the fire with Koda. I’d only been there a few days, but already, it felt like home to me.
I was getting too comfortable, I feared.
And having Abe to wait on me, to help make dinner and take care of things, was nice too. Too nice. I saw the softer side of him that I’d always known to be there. He was so kind, so gentle. He would make an amazing father.
I only wished I could be there to witness it first hand, to share in that joy with him.
I rested my hand on my belly, wondering about the children growing inside of me. What would they be like? Would they come out looking like Abe, big and strong, growing as tall as him? Or would they be like me, petite and delicate features? Likely a mixture of both, and I so badly wanted to see the beautiful people they’d grow up to be. Liberty was a small town, so of course I’d see them around - but I wouldn’t be part of their lives. Not like a mother.
