“Get that smug smile off your face, Dr. Mason,” she snarked impishly.
I laughed and kissed her forehead. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, cherry.”
Chapter Nine
Aubrey
“Kill me now,” I muttered as I lay sprawled on the bathroom floor of my apartment. My stomach had been staging a revolt all morning, and I silently cursed the Chinese take-out place which was the most likely culprit of causing my food poisoning. It must have weakened my immune system which had led to me picking up a bug or virus of some sort. Because, even though I’d eaten there last week, whatever I caught had lingered, causing me to throw up everything I’d eaten for days. I managed to keep the vomiting from Nash, but I couldn’t hide the weight-loss that had come with it. Nash had started to worry which made him a little more over-bearing than usual.
I’d talked Nash into waiting another week to move me in with him, so I didn’t have to rush with packing. Now I was regretting it and wishing I was already done. It was Friday and Nash had informed me that I was taking the day off with the excuse that I needed to finish packing since the movers would be at my house the next morning, though I suspected he had other motivations for making me stay home. On top of his worry for my health, it seemed like he’d gotten a little bossier since I’d agreed to move in with him. Then again, I’d been a little moody lately so maybe I was overreacting. Besides, as I lay there on the bathroom floor, I was grateful that I’d acquiesced to his demand.
“Aubrey?” Melody yelled my name and I tried to work up the energy to get up but failed miserably. She and Madison had offered to help me with cleaning and the last of the packing, though Madison was under strict orders from Ethan not to lift anything, push anything heavy, do anything too strenuous…basically, he told her that she could come and supervise. And Melody’s man, Trace, was just as bad. Theirs was an interesting story, but one for a less stressful day. He had given Melody a list of instructions about what she could and couldn’t do as well. I chalked it up to him being a bossy bastard since he’d gotten his ring on her finger, but that might just be because I had a bossy bastard of my own to deal with.
“Aubrey?” Melody called again.
“In the bathroom,” I croaked as loud as I could.
After a minute, two heads popped around the corner of the door. “Ummm...Aubrey? Are you going for the dead look? Because if so, you nailed it,” Madison joked, but her eyes surveyed my limp, clammy body with worry.
I started to respond but my stomach chose that moment to plant another flag and shoot off a few rounds of cannon fire, forcing me to jackknife up off the floor and bend over the toilet. There was nothing left to throw up, so I just dry-heaved for a few minutes. I heard Madison apologize and bolt from the room, so it must have been Melody who lifted my hair off of my sweaty neck and put a cool damp cloth in its place.
Finally, the spasms subsided, and I fell to the floor once more. “Damn, Aubrey,” Melody murmured as she placed another cool towel on my forehead. “I was worried you were going to vomit up an organ.” I chuckled, then immediately moaned when the motion twisted my stomach. “Are you okay?”
“Food poisoning.”
She winced and nodded with sympathetically. “Well, at least yours is temporary, right?” Melody laughed. “I’m willing to bet Madison is in your kitchen stuffing crackers in her mouth so she doesn’t join you on the bathroom floor.”
I smiled weakly and attempted to sit up. Melody grabbed my hand and together, we managed to get me onto my feet. By the time I reached the sink, I was feeling slightly better. While Melody went to check on Madison, I brushed my teeth and washed my face. I sighed in relief when I took a tentative step and didn’t get dizzy. Slowly and carefully, not wanting to regress, I padded out of the bathroom and over to my bed.
Madison returned with a sheepish smile on her face. “Sorry, the morning sickness has made me a sympathetic vomiter.” I waved her off and flopped back onto my pillows.
“I get it. Just tell me you made it to the sink.”
She laughed and walked over to sit beside me on the bed. “You look like you are feeling a little better.” I nodded, my heavy eyelids drooping. “I’m going to call Nash and—”
“No!” Suddenly wide awake, my arm shot out to grab Madison’s arm and keep her from moving.
She frowned. “Is everything okay with you two? I figured since you were moving in…” she trailed off.
“Yes, yes. We’re fine,” I reassured her. “It’s just that he’s already over-protective and I don’t want him to freak out over a little thing like food poisoning.”
I heard a snort from the bedroom door and looked up to see Melody entering with some crackers and a glass of clear liquid. “All of our men are like peas in a pod. Cavemen. The lot of them.”
Madison laughed, and I shrugged helplessly. “Yeah, but we love them,” she replied.
That brought me up short. Well shit. When had I gone and fallen in love with the big brute? Fear started to creep over me as I wondered whether Nash loved me. He certainly acted like it. But, I’d been such a stubborn twit since I met him, I worried that I’d lost the opportunity for him to fall in love with me by keeping him at arm’s length for so long.
“You’re just figuring this out?” Madison asked with a laugh.
“Yeah,” I muttered self-consciously as my cheeks heated. “I think I just didn’t want to admit it to myself.” I sat up and twisted my hands nervously in my lap. “Falling in love with Nash means he has the power to crush me. I was afraid because…well…”
“Well what?” Madison prompted.
“Why would a guy like Nash want a girl like me?” I whispered. I’d never been insecure about myself, I knew I was pretty, and my body was tone and slim from running. I’d always been confident and sure of who I was. But, for crying out loud, Nash was hot as hell. Like movie star gorgeous. Smart. Rich. Funny. Etc. Etc. Etc. It was a little intimidating. “He’s a freaking real-life Malibu Ken doll—except he’s got all the right equipment in all the right places.”
Madison laughed and whacked me lightly on the shoulder. “Are you kidding, Aubrey? I could give you a million reasons, but none of that matters. Nash worships the ground you walk on. Who cares why?”
“He does not,” I scoffed.
Melody laughed as she set the glass on the bedside table and handed me the crackers. Then she folded her arms and gave me a look that made it clear she thought I was either blind or an idiot. “I beg to differ, babe. You don’t see the way he watches you like a lovesick puppy dog when you aren’t looking.” She used her thumb to point toward Madison, then back at herself. “But, we sure as hell do.”
“He does?” My heart warmed and filled with hope.
Melody nodded and gestured to the snack she’d brought. “See if you can keep down some crackers and Ginger ale.”
A couple of hours later, I was back in the bathroom, my stomach once again empty. Melody shook her head and dug through her purse, no doubt looking for her cell phone. “That’s it. I’m calling Nash.”
I stuck my tongue out at her before grumbling, “Tattletale.”
Madison was silently watching me from just outside the door, her face thoughtful. “Are you sure it’s food poisoning?” she asked. Melody paused from dialing and glanced back at Madison with curiosity written on her face.
“What else would it—” I stopped when I saw Madison rub her little baby bump. “No, no, no. No way.” I was so not pregnant. I couldn’t be, I mean we—uh—my mind started racing and I thought back to all of the times Nash and I had made love over the last six or so weeks. I couldn’t remember one single time when he’d used a condom. Son of a bitch.
“He’s a freaking OBGYN,” I snapped. “He practically lectures people about safe sex for a living!”
Melody and Madison were both doubled over in a fit of giggles and I glared at them until they sobered. “I’ll run and grab a test,” Melody offered before dashing out of the room.
While I was freaking the fuck out inside, I kept outwardly calm. “I’m going to take a shower,” I told Madison. She helped me up and waited until she was sure I was steady on my feet before going into the bedroom where she could hear me if I needed help.
By the time I was done, dried off, and dressed, Melody was waiting with a white, plastic bag swinging from her fingers. She handed it to me and made a shooing gesture before shutting the door in my face. I took a deep breath and pulled out the pink box. While I’d been in the shower, I did some math and, sure enough, I was over a month late. I was pretty regular, but I just never paid attention to my periods, so I didn’t notice when it didn’t come.
I peed on the stick and placed it on the sink, then washed my hands and opened the bathroom door to find both women hovering right outside. “Three minutes,” I sighed. I kept an eye on the clock sitting on my dresser, but my mind was running through various scenarios of how Nash might react if it turned out I was pregnant. They ranged from excitement to disgust, pretty much every possible option which meant I wasn’t freaking out any less.
Finally, time was up. “I can’t look,” I moaned pathetically. Madison practically bounced past me. I had a feeling she was rooting for the knocked-up option.
“Pregnant!” she squealed, throwing her arms around me in a big bear hug.
“Holy crap,” I breathed.
I felt a warm hand on my shoulder and looked up to see Melody giving me a smile but there was something cryptic in her expression. “Congratulations, girl.” She took her turn hugging me and then squeezed my hand as she stepped back.
I opened my mouth to respond when everything shifted sideways and went black.
“Aubrey!” I froze at the sound of Nash’s bellow. He came barreling into the hospital room, his face a mask of worry and anger. “What the fuck?” he barked. Once he reached me, he felt my forehead, then he scowled at me while he checked my pulse, after which he grabbed my chart and started to skim over it.
I glared at both girls accusingly but each one shook their head in denial. I’d only been unconscious for less than a minute after I fainted at my apartment. When I came to, Melody and Madison were hovering anxiously over me. “I think we need to take you to the hospital,” said Madison. I started to shake my head and say no but the movement made me dizzy and a wave of nausea washed over me. I’d agreed, and Melody drove us to the ER. It turned out, I was dangerously dehydrated, so they immediately hooked me up to an IV to try and replace some of my fluids. When I mentioned that I thought I was pregnant, the dehydration became an even more significant concern and they decided to admit me until they’d confirmed it one way or the other.
I’d had every intention of telling Nash eventually. But, I figured they wouldn’t keep me very long and there was no reason to interrupt his workday for something so insignificant as a little dehydration. Clearly, I’d made the wrong choice.
Suddenly, Madison halted mid-shake and started to look extremely guilty. “I didn’t tell him, I swear,” she mouthed earnestly. I raised a brow in silent question and she shifted uncomfortably.
Seemingly satisfied that I wasn’t at death’s door, Nash relaxed a little. He brushed his fingers over my cheek, his green eyes still worried. “I’m going to talk to your doctor, baby.” On his way out the door, he frowned fiercely at the other women in the room. “You have some explaining to do,” he growled before striding down the hall.
Madison grimaced and her tone was full of apology when she whispered, “I may have said something to Ethan.” I groaned and fell sideways, face-planting in a pillow.
“They’re best friends, Madison,” I groaned in a muffled voice.
“I didn’t realize Ethan would tell him,” she confessed.
“He shouldn’t have had to tell me,” Nash interrupted as he strode back into the room. I turned my head and peeked at him as he made a bee-line for the bed, tossing a disgruntled glower at Madison as he sat down beside me. “You should have told me.” Then he turned his displeasure on me and I shrunk back into myself, knowing he had every right to be upset. “But she shouldn’t have been put in that position, isn’t that right, Aubrey?”
I considered telling him that I had every right to decide if I told him anything but, then I thought about how I’d feel if the situation had been reversed. “I’m sorry,” I sighed sincerely.
“Well, I think it’s time for us to go,” Melody piped up. They each hugged me, then she and Madison beat a hasty retreat, leaving me alone with Nash.
The man I just realized I loved.
The father of my baby.
Holy crap.
How exactly are you supposed to tell a guy that he’s going to be a dad?
Chapter Ten
Nash
Madison hadn’t given Ethan any details when she mentioned that she was going to the ER with Aubrey, so I didn’t know how serious it was and worst-case scenarios ran on a continuous loop in my head as I walked across the street to the hospital. The fact that I didn’t know because Aubrey hadn’t bothered to tell me festered all the way to her room. To make matters worse, I had to use my position as an attending to get Aubrey’s information since I wasn’t a relative. That was the straw that broke the camel’s back.
I waited until the hospital room door shut behind the girls before turning back to face Aubrey. She looked perplexed and a little lost. I didn’t know what was going through her twisted little mind but decided we’d come back to that later.
“Do you have any idea what I’ve been through in the last two hours?” I snarled. “First, I had to find out that my girlfriend was in the hospital from my best friend. Then, when I got here, I had to jump through hoops to find out where you were because we aren’t married.”
“I’m so sorry,” Aubrey lamented softly. “I wasn’t thinking.”
“No,” I agreed stonily. “You weren’t. So, let me tell you how things are going to go moving forward.” Aubrey watched me warily, but wisely refrained from comment.
“I’m tired of waiting. I’m not pussy-footing around our situation anymore.” I stood and leaned over, grabbing a rail with each hand, caging her between my arms. “You are mine.” I brought my face so close to hers our noses were almost touching. “Mine,” I reiterated in a tone that brooked no argument.
She nodded, her expression guarded.
“Moving in isn’t enough for me, Aubrey,” I announced. “We are getting married. You are going to wear my ring and have my last name.” Her eyes grew large and her mouth was working as though she was trying to form a response. I didn’t give her a chance to before dropping my next bomb. “And, I’m going to knock you the fuck up as soon as possible.”
Aubrey squeaked, then her face turned red as she bit her lip. It was an odd reaction, but I felt encouraged because she hadn’t immediately protested.
“Are we clear or do you need me to convince you?” I asked in a heated tone. She wouldn’t be discharged until tomorrow, which meant I would have to wait to do any “convincing.” But, it didn’t hurt to make her anticipate; to get her hot and bothered so we’d have to suffer through the night together.
“You want a baby?”
I could only imagine the sappy expression on my face when I said, “I can’t wait to see you swollen and round with our baby.” Maybe you should get a doctor to remove that pussy you’ve grown, Dr. Mason.
She narrowed her eyes at me and pursed her lips. “Fat. You mean fat.”
I grinned and kissed the tip of her nose. “You’ll be gorgeous, Aubrey.
She looked unconvinced but didn’t press the issue.
“We both want a big family, cherry,”—I winked—“We should get started early.”
“Early,” Aubrey snorted, then rolled her eyes. “If early is your goal, then you are clearly an overachiever.”
I tilted my head, confused by her comment. “Pardon?”
“I hope you meant what you said about wanting to get pregnant right away.”
Understanding b
egan to dawn and I couldn’t stop the enormous smile that grew on my face. “Are you saying…?” I trailed off, waiting for her to finish the thought and confirm my suspicion.
“Ms. Tucker?” The doctor entered at that moment and I stifled the urge to shove him out the door, so Aubrey and I could continue our conversation. I stood and turned so I could sit on the bed next to Aubrey, facing the doctor.
Dr. Greg Hunter was a friend of mine, but I was seriously reconsidering our friendship and I scowled at him. When he caught my dark expression, he ignored me and focused on Aubrey. “How are you feeling?”
She spread her hands and shrugged. “Fine. I doubt it’s necessary to keep me overnight.”
Greg glanced at me, then back at Aubrey. “Can I speak freely?”
Aubrey sighed. “You might as well. Nash will just badger anyone and everyone until he finds out whatever you have to say.” I didn’t feel that her conclusion needed confirmation, so I just folded my arms across my chest and continued to glare at Greg.
“You are definitely pregnant.”
Fuck yeah! My smile was so big I was surprised it didn’t break my face.
“Based on your symptoms and the timing, I suspect you have hyperemesis gravidarum. With your state of dehydration and frequency of vomiting, I want to keep you here until your levels are normal. Then we’ll work on a plan to keep you healthy throughout your pregnancy. Hopefully, it won’t get worse and we’ll be able to keep it under control with diet and antacids.”
I hadn’t known about the vomiting, nor the pregnancy, so it made sense that I hadn’t suspected HG. Logically, I knew that Aubrey hadn’t known either since she’d only just realized she was pregnant. Still, frustration filled me knowing she’d kept the extent of her sickness from me.
Greg discussed her health with her for another minute or two, then left us alone. I turned my accusing glare on Aubrey. To her credit, she looked remorseful and quickly attempted to soothe my ire. “I’m sorry, Nash. I promise not to keep anything from you again.”
Baby Daddies: A Me, Myself & I Collection Page 17
