“I think so, just need some ginger ale or something,” I said, trying to downplay things.
“If you have a stomach bug you know you can stay home and rest, take care of yourself,” he said and steadied me as I swayed a bit from the then ever persistent dizziness. Stomach bug wasn’t hardly the half of it.
“I think it could be a stomach bug…” I mumbled and rubbed my belly. My doctor said some of my symptoms should be subsiding. I really needed my body to hurry up and get used to being pregnant.
“Well then let me drive you home, you don’t look good at all,” he said in concern. Evan was your everyday dependable guy. He had an athletic build and strong masculine features. It was a joke around the office for people to call him ‘Doctor McSteamy.’ I couldn’t even form a response before he took my keys and my elbow to lead me back out to the car.
“You know Jackson said you looked kind of pale yesterday…he also told me about the dog Lacey. You did a fantastic job on her,” he said as he helped me into the car before rounding to the driver’s seat.
“Yeah she was a refreshing case actually. Though it was terrible how she was hit like that. I just liked that she was a bit more of a challenge,” I said.
“That’s why I hired you. Nothing but the best. All she needs now is for her leg to be fully set and she can go home. She’s actually pretty lucky,” he said. I couldn’t help smirking, the thing about Evan was that he could talk about animals and the patients at the hospital for hours on end. “Also I think it’s time for you to take a little vacation time for yourself. You’ve been working almost nonstop lately. I took a look at your charts…” he glanced at me briefly with a quirked brow and I chuckled.
“Yeah I have let work consume me a little. I barely have time for King and Charles anymore…” I debated telling him that I was pregnant, even though I should have right after my first OB appointment. I’ve just been heavy in some sort of shock or denial.
“Then it’s settled, I’m giving you two weeks’ vacation and I’ll take care of all your patients,” he said resolutely.
“Two weeks?” I asked incredulously.
“Yeah, you’ve earned it. Plus, when is the last time you’ve taken any of your vacation days? Not to mention you’re sick so if you wanted two and a half weeks I could stretch it.” I stared at him with a dropped jaw.
“Evan that’s…I can’t be away from work for that long,” I said and he shook his head at me.
“I won’t have it. You need it more than anyone else in that office,” he said resolutely. I took a deep breath and had to say I already felt better just thinking about the much needed vacation. An idea formed in my mind already too. It was early fall; it wasn’t too cool out yet. I could call my dad and pick up the keys to our cabin out in the woods. He and Nancy wouldn’t be using it again until spring anyways.
“Thanks Evan. A vacation actually would be really nice,” I said with a smile.
“Good. Oh hey, do you want to stock up on some ginger ale and saltines too? I heard they do wonders for stomach flus,” he said. Oddly enough, as he was speaking of stomach flus all my symptoms suddenly subsided. My stomach definitely felt a little tender still, but the dizziness went away and I wasn’t so tired feeling. I frowned, kind of puzzled that I felt fine all of a sudden. “You okay? Gonna upchuck again?” Evan asked warily.
“No, no…I was just thinking that you were right. I could use some ginger ale,” I said slowly.
“Alright then, I’ll make a quick stop by the grocery store,” he said. After the grocery store Evan dropped me off and had one of the interns from work come pick him up from my house. The first thing I did was go to my calendar and count the days. I’m nine weeks pregnant now, and I had another appointment next month. I was clear for a couple of weeks at the cabin.
“Nine weeks huh…” I sighed to myself then lifted my smock to take a look at my stomach. One would think that since I was having twins my belly would be showing by now. Charles, ever the chatty cat when I came home, meowed as he wrapped his body around my legs. Sometimes I felt like King and Charles knew I was pregnant. They hovered a lot more lately and sometimes just stared at me more than usual.
“You guys want to go out to dad’s cabin?” I asked and crouched to scratch Charles’s head. King came padding into the kitchen and greeted me as well. I grabbed my phone out of my bag and called my dad.
“Well looks who’s calling? How are you these days Chloe?” he answered on the second ring. His characteristically warm voice was what I needed to hear. I don’t even know when the last time was that I visited my dad and step-mom.
“Well, pretty burnt out actually,” I sighed.
“You work too much Chloe, when’s the last time you had a vacation?” he asked and I chuckled.
“Actually my boss just personally drove me home from work saying that. He gave me a couple weeks off,” I said.
“You know that Evan is a great guy, and that’s wonderful! You deserve it.”
“Yeah I was thinking about maybe going out to the cabin for a week or two,” I said.
“That’s actually perfect. I was about to take a trip up there to clean it out and lock up for the fall and winter,” he said and I heard him speaking to Nancy, asking her for the cabin keys. “I can drop the keys off now if you want. Maybe we can go out for an early lunch?” he asked. I hesitated to answer that, I hadn’t told anyone that I was pregnant yet. Especially my parents because hell, I didn’t know who the father was.
“Actually dad I’m not feeling up for lunch. I think I caught a little stomach bug…” I said, hating to lie to him…and continue lying.
“Oh well Nancy had made a great soup last night, I can bring some over for you,” he said. I knew that one way or the other he was going to come over.
“Sure dad, thanks.” I said and we ended the call shortly after. I sighed deeply and glanced down at King and Charles who were waiting patiently at my feet and staring up at me. I didn’t know how I was going to tell my dad that I was pregnant.
*****
After a long afternoon spent with my dad fishing for what was going on in my life and a mostly sleepless night of being sick, I decided to get a super early start on packing for the trip. My dad switched out his Jeep for my Mercedes so I’d get around easier in the woods. I had to say I was really excited to get to the cabin. It was situated right in front of a decent sized pond. The lot was peaceful and near Neilton which was a quiet town close to the Quinault.
I packed up relatively quickly and got King and Charles set too. I just had to swing by the store to get a few things I’d need then I was cabin free. The drive towards Neilton was a quiet one. King and Charles, who usually hated their car crate were pretty relaxed and I had a lot of space to think about things. Specifically, what I was going to do when my belly started to show and I had to tell people about the twins.
They’d all ask, ‘who’s the dad?’ And what would I say? I don’t know, but I’m pretty sure his name started with an A? That’s what I got for trying to live like I was twenty-one again. My friends took me out for my thirty-second birthday and we had way too much to drink. What’s worse is that I met someone at the last bar we visited and I know I ended up in bed with him. I woke up in his really nice hotel room, but he was gone. There was certainly evidence of our night tossed away in the bathroom trash. I figured that as long as we used protection I was fine and could put the whole drunken night behind me.
About five weeks later I realized I hadn’t had my period and went to the doctor, turned out I was carrying two little fertilized beans in my belly. I sighed heavily and focused on the road. Hopefully I could clear my head a bit and come to terms with basically having been artificially inseminated. I wondered if I could use that as an excuse.
When I finally made it to the dirt turn off that led to the cabin King and Charles woke up complaining about the bumpy road. Soon the cabin emerged from the pines and I pulled into the drive. The cabin was pretty nice compared to others I’ve seen
. It only passed as a cabin and not a ‘vacation home’ because of the outer façade. It was two stories and had had four bedrooms, three and a half baths. A small library, living room, kitchen and dining room, and there was a wraparound porch on the outside. I got the cats out of the Jeep and set up in the cabin first before bringing in everything else. It took a few hours for me to get settled with everything put away. But I was able to relax out on the back porch with a cup of tea around late afternoon. The pond was peaceful and glistening, surrounded by thick tall pines. I loved this place, and if I could, I would live there forever.
I put my cup down to go fetch a book from inside. As I passed by the oddly placed mirror in the hallway I did a double take at my reflection. That famed pregnancy glow was starting to settle in on my cheeks. I had dark circles around my eyes though that made my usually violet irises appear deep blue. I sighed, then smiled at myself, trying to bring some life to my face. I’d never looked so worn-down before. Usually I took pride in my face and appearance, I was more or less attractive with my feline features, big eyes, and auburn hair. Lately I pretty much resembled a wet cat.
I rolled my eyes at myself and made to go pick a book, but there was a swift knock on the door. King ran over to hop up on the living room windowsill and look out. I wondered who it could possibly be at the door, it was a secluded cabin in the woods for crying out loud. When I opened the door I took pause, my jaw nearly dropping for what stood on the porch, or rather, who stood on the porch. Two huge guys, both equal in height and build stood there. But that was where the resemblance ended. One had silver blonde almost white colored hair, styled into a perfect coif, and the bluest eyes that were like bright crystals. He was gorgeous, with angular features and an intense gaze that seemed to spear through me. The other had odd amber colored eyes that reminded me of sultry nights and warmth. He was just as beautiful as the other one, though his features were kinder, and he appeared less dangerous.
“Chloe?” he said, shock evident in his tone. Though his gaze held a wealth of emotion. He glanced down at my belly and then back up.
“I’m sorry…do I know you?” I asked, puzzled that he knew my name. I glanced nervously at the silent one who was almost glowering at me.
“You don’t remember us?” the one with the amber eyes asked me and took a deep breath. He ran his hand through his shoulder length brown curls and I couldn’t help but compare him to a taller Kit Harrington with less of a baby face.
“I think I would remember…guys like you…” I faltered as I realized I did recognize them from somewhere. Like a dream—they were from my dream! Their eyes, I remembered their eyes. But how and why would I dream about two strangers? “I’m sorry, can I help you both?” I asked, trying to get things back on track.
“Uh…um, well we actually met a couple months ago. We met you at a bar…and ended up back at our hotel room? I’m Alex by the way, this is Luca,” he gestured to the silent one who was then staring at my stomach.
“Alex…?” I spoke kind of weakly as I was slowly realizing that my dream was actually a memory. And the two standing on the porch were from my exceedingly big mistake of a night. My mind slowed to a halt as one: I had sex with both of them, and two: one of them was the father of my twins. “Oh my god…I think I have to sit down,” I said and Luca finally showed signs of life. He took my elbow with a surprising gentleness and led me to one of the rocking chairs on the porch.
“Did you just arrive in the area?” Luca asked me, his voice was softly accented and dignified. He was crouched next to the chair and I felt more than a bit unsettled by his intent gaze. Talk about an intense guy.
“Yes I did…you guys are from Neilton?” I asked cautiously.
“We’re from nearby. Can I ask you something?” Luca touched my knee to get my attention. I had glanced at Alex who suddenly seemed sort of jittery.
“I guess?”
“Are you pregnant?” my eyes widened as I wondered how the hell he could even tell.
“Um…uh…” I stumbled over my words a bit. Luca glanced at Alex who took a deep breath and sighed.
“Can we take you to see our doctor?” Luca asked and I recoiled a bit.
“Excuse me?”
“You don’t know who the father is do you? I think we should go about finding out,” he said crisply.
“Fine I’ll go only if you watch your tone,” I snapped. He shut up from mild shock and glanced at Alex, briefly at a loss.
“He’ll watch his mouth,” Alex said in a placating tone and took my hand to help me up from the chair. As if I couldn’t get up on my own. I glanced in the drive and only saw my dad’s Jeep sitting there.
“How’d you guys get here? How’d you find me?” I asked and glanced at the both of them with raised brows. They glanced at each other briefly and then Luca gestured to the Jeep.
“Do you mind if we drive?” he asked, completely ignoring my question.
“I’m not going anywhere with you unless you answer my question,” I said resolutely.
“How about this. We can explain everything to you on the way to the medical center in the territory,” Alex suggested. I stared at them for a while, weighing my options.
“How do I know you guys won’t kill me?” I asked.
“You’re carrying our—you’re pregnant and…you can trust us,” Alex answered strangely. I sighed and decided to take a leap of fate. If they wanted to take me to get a paternity test then fine.
*****
“So you guys can start explaining. Because all of this is really weird,” I said once we were in the car and heading towards Quinault.
“We’ll explain after you see Doctor West,” Luca said.
“That wasn’t the deal!” I protested.
“It’s going to have to be the new deal. Just until you see him,” he said and I actually looked for something to throw at Luca’s pretty head. I pretty much pouted in the back of the Jeep until we pulled into the parking lot of a small urgent care center. As we got to the entrance I noticed how people stared at Luca and Alex. When we stepped inside the building though people greeted them and some even bowed or pressed their fist over their chest in salute. Alex kept glancing at me while Luca just soldiered ahead and led us back to a hallway that was labeled ‘physician offices.’
Luca knocked on a Doctor Lyman West’s office and waltzed in without waiting for a response. I held back and glanced at Alex who sighed and shook his head.
“You’ll have to excuse my brother; he can be…well uptight at times.”
“You’re brothers?” I asked in surprise.
“Well not by blood, I was adopted into his family,” he explained.
“Are the two of you coming in?” Luca stuck his head out into the hall and Alex held the door open for me. I took a deep breath before stepping inside. Doctor West was a tall guy, lean, and he seemed approachable with his welcoming smile and open gaze.
“Hello, I’m doctor West,” he offered his hand to shake and I introduced myself. West glanced at both Alex and Luca briefly before he gestured for me to sit down.
“How about I escort these two out into the hall and then we can talk a bit?” he asked me and I nodded, relieved that I wouldn’t have to be subject to Luca’s intensity while having what would no doubt be a very awkward conversation. The three filed out and the door shut soundly behind them. I figured the doctor’s office must have been sound proof, because I couldn’t hear a thing past the door. I sighed heavily and sat back in the sofa chair. West’s office was pretty swanky; from what I’ve seen of the center it looked pretty nice too. I wondered vaguely if they were in the Quinault reservation or not. Alex and Luca didn’t look very Native American to me.
“Alright, they’ll leave us alone for a bit. How are you today?” The doctor walked back into the office and shut the door behind him. His eyes were keen on me, like any other doctor’s would be. The scrutiny was a little unsettling, especially after being the subject of Luca’s focus.
“Frankly I’m conf
used, frustrated, and holding off on being freaked out,” I said truthfully. Doctor West actually chuckled as he sat down behind his desk.
“Yes you’re in for an interesting time with those two. How about we discuss your pregnancy?” he asked me politely.
“Yes, I’m having twins and I guess it would be good to have a paternity test while we’re all here.”
“Indeed, but have you entertained the possibility that they may both be father to your twins? Respectively of course,” Doctor West was looking at me as if the possibility were completely plausible.
“This pregnancy was a chance in a thousand though. I know protection was used. And now you’re suggesting that one of the twins is Alex’s baby and the other, Luca’s?”
“Well of course we’d do the proper testing and find out once we get the results…” I stared at him blankly and stopped hearing what he was saying. I’m sure he was telling me about the test. But why would a doctor think that my twins have different fathers without them having even been born yet?
“Can we just do the paternity test?” I cut him off and he nodded slowly.
“Alright we can get started if you’re ready?” he asked and I nodded. We left the office and I saw Alex and Luca waiting outside. The doctor explained my options for a noninvasive test and the accuracy compared to an invasive one. We decided on him taking blood and he did it pretty quickly in a small examination room without Alex or Luca hovering. When I stepped out into the hall after it was all done Alex was quick to my side, holding on to my elbow and Luca was like a wall in front of me.
“You guys, wow…I could use some space,” I said, Alex gave me a sheepish smile, but didn’t let go of me. Luca simply glanced over at the doctor.
“Do you need samples from us?” he asked. West produced two cheek swabs and collected saliva from them both. I wished it were that easy for me.
“I was hoping that…we might be able to see the young? On an ultrasound?” Alex glanced at me with a small hopeful smile. I glanced at Luca who had no objections seemingly.
In Time to Love Page 85
