“We’re happy to have you.”
“Any ideas on what kind of job you want to look for?” I ask, changing the subject.
“It would be nice to get a job in my degree field of Marketing, but those jobs can be hard to come by, as I’ve found out. So, for now, anything that will pay the bills that is a reputable job.”
“What happened with the job you had lined up?” Jill asks.
“My boss was pretty shady and when I declined to become his mistress, he fired me,” she says, shrugging her shoulders like it wasn’t a big deal.
“He did what!?” I yell, the anger radiating off of me.
“He fired me when I told him I wouldn’t give him a BJ under his desk between meetings,” she says, a grimace flashing across her face.
“The fu—” I stop myself from finishing that sentiment with the girls in the room.
“Believe me, it wasn’t a hardship to lose that job. He was a creep, and I’m thankful to no longer be working for him. He felt like he was privileged since Daddy owned the company. Unfortunately for him, the hammer is about to come down, as a few of us reported him to HR and the police. If he doesn’t get fired, the media backlash from a trial will sure do damage to his reputation. I just feel bad for his wife and kids, who will no doubt be caught in the middle of everything. Another one of my co-workers got him on video from her cell phone, propositioning her and holding a promotion over her head with his threats. He was vile and I’m glad I was only an employee there for the couple of months that I was.”
“Well, damn. I’m glad you got out. You should have quit sooner and come here.”
“I was scared to do that. I needed the job to pay my bills. I kept applying around town and nothing would come of my interviews. So, when he fired me, I took that as my sign that it was time to cut out and move on.”
“Well, you’re safe here. And without rent hanging over your head for a while, at least, hopefully you can get on your feet and find a good job,” Jillian says.
“I sure hope so.”
“Maybe you can check and see if the team office has any marketing positions open?” Jillian says to me. “Or over at the Eagles office?”
“Maybe. Only if you promise to stay away from the players. They tend to be a-holes,” I warn.
“Derek,” Jillian groans my name in a warning tone.
Riley bounces her eyes between the two of us as we have a stare down for a moment. “Something you two want to enlighten me on?” she finally asks, breaking the tension.
“Just helping to keep your brother in check. He wasn’t too happy about me mentioning helping you find a nice guy to date. He likes to still think of you as a little girl he needs to protect. Forgets that you’re all grown up and can take care of yourself. Are old enough to date and drink and do other adult things,” Jillian says, glaring at me, daring me to disagree with her, then smiling at Riley when she’s done.
“Ah. I was a little worried about that when I decided to move close to him. He’s probably worse than Dad.” She laughs.
“I remember when you went on your first date in high school. I thought your mom was going to kill your dad because of his antics,” Jillian replies, reminiscing with my sister.
“Yeah, it wasn’t fun at the time. Embarrassing as all get-out. But it wasn’t completely unwarranted. I can’t even tell you how many guys tried to date me or get close just because this one is my brother.” She points at me. “They all wanted the chance to meet him or use the connection to try and get somewhere with baseball. It’s one of the main reasons I never dated a player. I didn’t need them using me for my connection to Derek.”
“That pisses me off,” I state. “Those fu- guys”—I once again have to stop myself from saying what I really want since the girls are in the room—“are lucky that I was already gone by the time you made it to high school. If I’d have still been around, you can bet your ass I wouldn’t have allowed any of them near you.”
“Okay, caveman, how about some lunch?” Riley says, defusing the conversation.
“We’ve got sandwich makings, or I can heat up the fajita leftovers from last night,” Jillian says, standing to head for the kitchen.
“Whatever is easier for you,” Riley says, following behind her, leaving me in the living room to grumble under my breath for another minute, where I stay with the girls until we’re called to come eat.
Twenty-Two
Jillian
The last five weeks have flown by and today Derek has to board a flight, as he’s due for pitchers and catchers camp tomorrow. The offseason always flies by, and this one was no different. It’s amazing we started the offseason with our divorce being finalized to being back together again before a new season started. I never thought we’d be in such a good place so quickly, but I’m glad we are.
“How are you feeling?” Derek asks as he sits down on the edge of the bed next to me. I’ve been puking my guts out for the last twenty-four plus hours. The girls were so kind to bring home a stomach bug from preschool, and after they both suffered through it, it also took me down. He’s been so helpful while I’ve been dealing with nothing but puke over the last couple of days.
Riley has also stepped in to help when needed. It’s been so nice having her around. Since Derek and I were in college and she was only twelve when we met, we’ve never really gotten to spend much time together other than family vacations and weeklong visits throughout the years. But, now that she lives here, we see her all the time and our relationship has really blossomed. The girls love having their Aunt Ry at their disposal, and we’re all excited to be heading out to Arizona in two weeks, once Derek is well into the swing of camp.
“Ugh. I’ve been better. Even pregnancy nausea isn’t this bad. I just hope you don’t get sick.”
“Drink this,” he says, handing me a Gatorade. “You need the electrolytes. And if I do, then I do. They can do without me for a few days of camp, if that’s the case.”
“But you won’t have anyone there to take care of you.” I pout as I bring the drink to my lips. The smell of the drink hits my nose and my stomach rolls. I hand it back to Derek quickly, covering my mouth in the process. “Nope, can’t do it,” I tell him as I jump from the bed and run for the bathroom. I heave over the toilet and he comes in right behind me, holding my hair back as I empty my stomach once again into the toilet.
“I think you need to go to the doctor, babe. This is lasting longer than it did for the girls and appears to be much stronger for you. Why don’t you let me make you an appointment?” he suggests as he helps me back into bed.
“Maybe. But you have to fly out in a few hours.”
“I can change my flight. Take one tomorrow, if needed.”
“Won’t you get in trouble for not reporting on time?”
“You’re more important. And so what if I miss day one? I know the drill. Day one is more for the rookies than anyone. Coach will understand if I tell him it’s because of family.”
“Okay, call and see if they can get me in,” I concede.
He grabs his cell from his pocket, and after unlocking the screen, he taps a few times, then the ringing of the phone fills the room.
“Family Practice, how can I help you?” the receptionist answers.
“Hello, this is Derek Smyth, I’m calling for my wife, Jillian. She’s a patient of Dr. Lamore and needs to be seen. The sooner, the better, please.”
“Dr. Lamore just had a cancelation on her schedule for eleven forty-five. Can you come then?” she asks.
Derek looks over at me and I nod my approval. I don’t miss how he referred to me as his wife. Some days, it’s easy to forget that, according to the government, we’re no longer married. I know he’s alluded to the fact he wants to fix that and get married again, make it legal once again, but that’s a conversation for another time.
“We’ll be there,” he assures her.
“And what does Mrs. Smyth need to be seen for?”
“Our girls passed on the
ir stomach bug to her, but it’s lasting much longer than it did for them, plus, appears to be much worse for her. I’m worried she might be dehydrated at this point.”
“I’ve got it noted. If needed, they can administer an IV to give her some fluids while she’s here in the office.”
“Thank you, we’ll be in soon.” He hangs up with the receptionist then turns to me. “I’ll feel better leaving you knowing that you’re going to be okay,” he says before standing up. “I’m going to go make sure that Ry can stay here with the girls while I take you.”
“Thank you,” I croak out. Seeing that I only have about an hour until my appointment time, I find the energy to head for the shower. Maybe the hot water will help me feel better.
An hour and twenty minutes later, we’re sitting in the exam room and I’m hooked up to an IV, getting pumped full of fluids as we wait for Dr. Lamore to return. She had some labs drawn to make sure I don’t have anything more than the stomach bug the girls had, as she also agrees it shouldn’t have lasted as long as it has with me.
“How are you feeling?” Derek asks, now that I’ve gotten half the bag of fluids in me.
“Better. The meds also helped with that.” They gave me some anti-nausea meds in my IV to help with how queasy I’ve been.
“Good. The color is returning a bit to your cheeks. Maybe after we leave here, you’ll actually be able to eat something and keep it down.”
“Maybe. Just the thought of food makes my stomach roll. So, it will have to be something light, if I can even stomach it.”
“Whatever you want, babe,” he says, leaning over and kissing my forehead.
“How’s it going in here?” Dr. Lamore asks as she pushes open the door.
“Good. No puking, so that’s a good sign,” I tell her.
“Well, good news. You don’t have anything else, infection-wise, causing you to be sick, but there is something that is aiding to it. Congratulations, you’re pregnant,” she says, a smile plastered on her face.
“Did you say pregnant?” I ask in disbelief.
“I sure did.” She pulls a portable ultrasound machine to the side of the exam table. “And looking at your bloodwork numbers, only a few weeks along. We can take a quick peek and get a look at the sac and give you an idea at a due date.”
I look over at Derek and the look of complete joy that lights up his face is all I need to see. I took his conversation about knocking me up last month as a joke, not that I didn’t think it was a possibility, since we used no protection and weren’t careful about avoiding my fertile days.
She sets up the machine then steps out while I undress from the waist down so she can do the vaginal ultrasound. She returns a few minutes later and after applying gel to the end of the probe, inserts it. Derek and I both look at the screen in amazement as she points out the tiniest flicker on the screen. The baby is measuring at five weeks exactly, which, if I count back, is probably the time of that morning against the bathroom wall. The same day he talked about us having another baby.
“The baby looks great right now. With being five weeks today, that gives you a due date of October fifteenth.”
“Right in the middle of the playoffs,” I muse, looking over at Derek.
He grabs my hand and brings it to his lips to kiss. “We’ll make it work.”
“Hopefully, between the Zofran and the fluids, you’ll start feeling better and get over the stomach bug. I think it was being prolonged by the pregnancy and getting dehydrated. If you start feeling like you have been, call and we’ll get you in right away, even if it’s just with the nurse for some more fluids. You should be fine to wait until you’re eight to ten weeks along to see your OBGYN, but I’d call and make an appointment with them to make sure they don’t want to see you sooner. Do you still see Dr. Abbott?”
“I do,” I confirm.
“Good, I’ll send her a note to tell her about the pregnancy and to expect to see you in a few weeks. She’ll be able to see the lab reports and ultrasound from today, as well.”
“Thank you.”
“Absolutely, my dear. Do you have any questions for me? I know this isn’t your first pregnancy, but just wanted to make sure.”
“Nothing that I can think of, thank you.”
“Sure thing. Once you finish off this bag of fluids, we’ll get you unhooked and on your way. It shouldn’t be more than another ten, maybe fifteen, minutes. Feel free to get dressed once I step out.”
“Thank you,” Derek tells her before she leaves the room as I get dressed as best as I can with an IV line hooked up.
“Can you believe it?” I ask Derek, still a little shocked as I get settled back on the table.
“Marry me? Again, please, Jillian,” Derek says as he stands, boxing me in as an arm goes to each side of my body on the exam table. All I see when I look up at him is the love that shines in his eyes.
“Yes.” It’s the only answer I can give him as his lips crash against mine. “Germs,” I try and say against his lips.
“I don’t care about any fucking germs,” he says against my lips. “I’ll take every germ you can give me.” He only pulls back when there’s a knock at the door. The nurse peeks her head in and sees the bag of saline is now empty and I’m ready to be disconnected and sent home.
“Call if you have any more complications,” she reiterates before we leave the room. Derek grabs my hand, linking my fingers with his as he leads me out to his truck. He’s practically bouncing as we walk, with all his excitement.
“Chill out, honey,” I tease him once we’re in the truck.
“No can do,” he states. “We’re getting married again—and soon.” He stares at me. “And I knocked you the fuck up. I’d say today is the best damn day. Well, minus all the puking you’ve had to do.”
“Yeah,” I say on a sigh. “I didn’t think you were that serious about the whole ‘knocking me up’ speech last month.”
“What can I say, when I put my sights on a home run, there’s nothing stopping me from knocking one out of the park.”
I laugh at his use of baseball references. “If you say so.”
“Are you doubting my abilities, woman?” he asks as he pulls out of the parking lot.
“Nope,” I tell him, popping the P.
He points toward my abdomen. “Didn’t think so. Since I already proved that I can knock you up.”
“I hope this pregnancy is just as easy as the girls’ were,” I muse.
“I’m looking forward to the second trimester, myself,” he says, giving me a devilish grin as he bounces his eyebrows.
“You would.” I laugh. “Are you still going to make your flight tonight?” I ask, noticing the time.
“I changed it to the six a.m. one. Already told Coach that I’ll head straight to the field from the airport and he was fine with it.”
“When did you do that?”
“I texted him before we left the house. Said that you were sick and I needed to take you to the doctor, and I wasn’t sure if I’d be able to fly down tonight. Said to keep him informed. I also went ahead at that time and changed my flight, let him know, and he was also fine with that.”
“Look at you, being all on top of everything.”
He squeezes my fingers. “As I’ve said, I’m a changed man.”
“I’m going to hold off on telling the girls about the baby for a little while,” I tell him as we pull into the driveway. “I’ll tell Riley when they aren’t around and I don’t care if you tell the guys, but I want to wait a week or two to tell the girls. They’re going to be pestering us about when the baby will come for long enough, so the longer we can wait, the shorter the amount of time we have to deal with their relentless questions.”
“You’re the boss. I’ll follow your lead.”
We head inside and find Riley and the girls cleaning up from some lunch. The smell of food causes my stomach to growl, a nice change from rolling and running to the toilet as I’ve dealt with the last day.
&nb
sp; “How’s everything around here?” Derek asks his sister.
“All’s well. We were going to walk down to the park after lunch. Run some of the returned energy out before naptime.”
“Sounds like a perfect idea,” he says, hugging both of our girls. I love watching him with them. He’s such a good dad. I can’t wait to see him with another little one in his arms. The man can melt panties just by himself, but you put an itty-bitty baby in his arms and poof, I’m a goner.
“How was the appointment?” Riley asks me.
“Good, I’ll tell you about it later. Cliff notes are that I was dehydrated, and after some fluids and Zofran, I’m hopefully back on the mend.”
“Okay. I look forward to the expanded version later then,” she says before turning to the girls. “Go get your shoes on and we’ll head to the park!”
“Yay!” both girls exclaim as they hop down from their seats and head for the shoe rack.
“Don’t forget to potty first!” I call out to both of them, then glance over at Riley. “The park doesn’t have any bathrooms, and it never fails; we get there and one of them has to go.”
“Ah, good thinking. I’ve got lots to learn before I have kids of my own.”
“I promise you, it will all come to you eventually. And you just have to remember that kids don’t come with owners’ manuals. You’ll screw up with something, but thankfully, kids are resilient. They won’t remember the time when you forget the diaper bag for that quick run to Target and end up needing to buy a new outfit for the both of you, along with a package of diapers and wipes to give both of you a wipe bath in the bathroom because of a diaper blowout mid-shopping trip.
“Nor will they remember the time you lose your shit because you’re so exhausted from the lack of sleep that you just sit down in the middle of their nursery and cry right along with them when they’re teething and it’s three a.m., and you haven’t slept since three the morning before, except a few ten-minute cat naps spread throughout the day.”
The Perfect Pitch (Indianapolis Lightning Book 1) Page 15
