Pregnancy Countdown

by Linda Wisdom

  “I think you greatly exaggerate your sister’s talents.” Nora slipped on her sunglasses to shield her eyes from the afternoon sun.

  Mark grinned again as he put on his sunglasses also. Nora momentarily regretted his covering up those brilliantly colored eyes.

  “Do people ever ask you if you wear colored contact lenses?” she asked.

  “All the time. They can’t believe somebody would naturally have this color eyes. I bet you get asked a lot if your hair color is natural.” He disarmed the alarm and helped her up into his truck. He stood by the seat as she reached for the seat belt. He covered her hand with his, stopping her action. He used his other hand to tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, then flicked the gold stars and crescent moon that dangled from her ear. “Pretty.” He looked into her eyes as he spoke the word.

  She felt the warm brush of his fingers against her ear. A tingle started at her ear and moved into a part of her brain that was guided by her emotions.

  “Thank you,” she whispered, unable to take her eyes off him. “They’re my favorite earrings.”

  He took the seat belt from her and stretched across her to secure it. She discovered he smelled like fresh lime.

  She knew there a good reason she liked the smell of lime.

  Mark turned his head to one side and smiled at her. Not the cocky all-male smile he usually flashed. This was something softer, almost intimate. And a heck of a lot more dangerous to her peace of mind.

  “I wasn’t just talking about the earrings,” he murmured.

  She couldn’t stop her lips from curving in an answering smile. “I know.”

  His face was so close to her that their lips almost touched. For a moment, she would have sworn he was going to kiss her.

  “If you’re a good girl at the doctor’s I’ll take you to lunch afterward,” he said.

  “That’s funny. I’d already assumed you were going to feed me afterward.”

  Mark shook his head. “Saucy wench.”

  “I’ve never heard of that place. But as long as they serve good food, I’ll be happy.” She settled back in the seat, moving away from his touch.

  He shook himself off. “Right.” He closed the door and walked around to the driver’s side.

  Nora glanced out the window and noticed Ginna standing at the salon’s front window. She wiggled her fingers at her friend as Mark drove off.

  “Dr. Jackson’s offices are in the Stafford Medical Center,” she told him.

  “I know where it is,” Mark pulled out into traffic. “How did you choose him?”

  “He was on the list of recommended obstetricians my doctor gave me. I narrowed down the names to the ones on my medical plan and visited them. Quite a few of my clients go to him and highly recommend him.” She pulled down the visor. She looked at Mark. “You don’t have a mirror.”

  Mark cursed under his breath as another driver cut in front of him. “Why would I have a mirror there?”

  “So your dates can check their makeup.” She dug into her purse and pulled out a small mirror and a tube of apricot-colored lip gloss. She carefully applied it then dusted some blush on her cheeks. “Didn’t anyone tell you that a mirror on the passenger-side visor is a requirement?”

  “I didn’t realize seeing a doctor required a full makeover,” Mark commented.

  “More like making one feel better.”

  Mark frowned at her reply. “Aren’t you feeling good? You’re not having cramps, are you? Or spotting?”

  “My, my, I’m impressed. You read the books they gave you,” Nora teased.

  “I’m a paramedic, sweetheart. They make sure I already know these things,” he reminded her. “Otherwise, they won’t let me ride in the paramedic truck. Or drive, for that fact.”

  “Has it been quiet for you? Last night’s news showed a multicar pileup on the freeway,” Nora said.

  Mark’s lighthearted expression dimmed. “It was bad,” he said crisply.

  Nora immediately sensed the incident wasn’t something he wanted to talk about. She realized she wasn’t used to seeing him looking somber.

  “Brumby has a new hobby,” she announced, deciding a change of subject was in hand.

  By the relaxed set to his shoulders she saw that she’d succeeded.

  “What is he up to now?”

  “When he hears the kids playing in the park, he runs outside to the back fence,” she explained. “He’ll sit there staring at the fence as if he can see right through it and see the kids playing. I’ve seen him sit there for hours, that stub of a tail wagging.” She chuckled. “He doesn’t bark or try to jump at the fence. But his tail will start going faster the more excited he gets. Sometimes I think it will fall right off because he wags it so fast.”

  “You have a very strange dog,” he laughed.

  “I consider myself lucky he entertains himself so easily,” she replied. “He loves to go after tennis balls. We do that for exercise and he loves the dog park where he can socialize.”

  “Bulldogs aren’t exactly known as lapdogs,” Mark pointed out.

  “No one told Brumby that. Sometimes I think he’s convinced he’s a poodle.” She leaned over and touched his arm. “There’s the center.”

  Mark flipped the turn signal and swung the truck into the parking lot.

  “A lot of pregnant women are going in here,” he commented, pulling into an empty space. “Is there an epidemic?”

  “Stafford’s an OB/GYN center for women, although there are also a couple pediatricians who have their offices here,” she explained.

  “One-stop baby center.”

  “Pretty much.” She accepted his hand as she climbed out of the truck. A gust of wind caught the open ends of her jacket. Mark grabbed the ends and brought them together. He slipped the zipper into the tab and pulled it upward.

  “We can’t have you catching a chill,” he told her with a smile as he brushed hair away from her eyes.

  “Thank you.” She smiled back.

  Did Nora’s eyes always look like liquid emeralds?

  From the moment Mark woke up that morning he’d felt as if he was gearing up for something. His stomach felt as if someone had dumped a quart of acid into it and every muscle felt as tight as a drum. He wasn’t sure why he felt that way. Then he saw the note on the refrigerator door. He’d tacked up a reminder that Nora’s doctor’s appointment was today.

  He told himself going with her was doing the right thing. That he would do what he could for her. His father and brothers would expect it. Brian sure had supported Gail. He’d practically held her hand from the moment he learned she was pregnant. Mark admired him for it. He knew the least he could do for Nora was be there for her as he was today.

  When he had secured her seat belt, he caught hints of fragrance in her hair and around her. Something that made him think fresh and clean like mountain springs and waterfalls.

  At least it’s nothing to do with liquid emeralds again.

  Nora’s cheeks were flushed from the cold air. She walked briskly, easily keeping up with his longer strides that he shortened for her benefit.

  She’d dressed warmly in a knit dress that he’d call orange, but he was sure there was another name for it. He’d tried not to stare, but he’d swear her breasts were fuller and he could see a slight rounding to her belly. She’d clipped her hair at the nape, but the wind stole strands loose so that they flew around her face.

  Mark felt as if he’d ventured into unknown territory from the moment he stepped into the building. Music that floated in the air was meant to relax the visitors, colors were soft, muted and all geared for the feminine soul. The walls were even painted pale pink! He hunched his shoulders wondering if he shouldn’t tell her he’d wait for her in the truck. He opened his mouth ready to say that but instead asked which floor the doctor’s office was on.

  “We go to the second floor,” Nora explained, heading for the bank of elevators.

  Mark looked around at the women walking down the hallway.
He felt like the proverbial bull in a china shop. Was he the only man in the entire building? He suddenly found it difficult to breathe.

  “Mark, are you all right?”

  “Huh?” he looked down at her and noticed concern darkening her eyes. They are like liquid emeralds. “No, I’m fine, although it does seem a little warm in here.” He resisted the urge to check his collar even though he knew there was no way the shirt’s open collar could be too tight.

  She swayed slightly in his direction. “Don’t worry. All these doubleX chromosomes aren’t contagious,” she said in a mock whisper just as the elevator door slid open. “You’ll still be your supremely male self when you leave here.”

  “I hope so.” He hoped he didn’t sound as prayerful as he thought he did.

  Mark almost panicked again when Nora opened a door. The waiting room was filled with women. Not one to consider hiding behind a woman’s skirts, he nevertheless stayed on Nora’s heels as she approached the receptionist’s desk.

  “Hi, Michele,” she greeted the young woman as she signed in.

  “Hi, Nora,” she said beaming. She looked quizzically at Mark. “Can I help you?”

  “I’m with her,” he explained.

  “Don’t you work with Rick Gibson?” she asked, mentioning one of the firefighters at Mark’s station.

  “Yeah, I do. You know Rick?”

  “I dated him about a year ago,” Michele explained. Her eyes slid over him appraisingly. “Ginna does my hair. That’s nice you’re helping out Nora.”

  “That’s me, Mr. Nice.” He grinned, all the while thinking his friend seemed to be dating them younger all the time. He couldn’t imagine Michele had been out of high school all that long. He realized he was standing there alone and Nora had seated herself. He hurried over to take the chair next to her. “Considering the number of people in the area, it’s surprising how many you run into that you either know or know of.” He lowered his voice. “I didn’t say anything, since I wasn’t sure if you wanted her to know I’m the father.”

  She didn’t lift her head as she scanned the magazine’s table of contents.

  “Since it’s already known you’re the father and you will be listed on the birth certificate as the father, I don’t think it matters who all knows.”

  He could have sworn icicles literally dripped from the words.

  Considering she was fine all of two minutes ago, he couldn’t imagine what he could have done wrong in that short a space of time, unless it was because he hadn’t admitted he was the father.

  One other thing was also rearing its head inside his mind. His feelings for Nora. That was something he was going to have to figure out, because what happened one night meant he and Nora were connected for years to come.

  He was aware of the fragrance of her perfume and the soft rustle of her clothing as she shifted her body in her chair, shrugging out of her jacket. She laid it over her lap. Out of the corner of his eye he could see her hands as she leafed through her magazine. She wore little jewelry. He noticed the two gold bracelets on her left wrist and a ring on her right hand along with the dangling earrings that entranced him. A dark orange stone set in gold winked at him.

  Something Jeff once said suddenly slipped into his mind.

  I could be blind, mute and deaf and I would still know when Abby is near me. A part of my soul will always recognize her.

  At the time, Mark put down the pronouncement to a man who was crazy in love. He couldn’t imagine that would happen to him.

  So why did he feel as if a part of Nora had stolen inside him?

  Needing a distraction, Mark leaned forward and examined the selection of magazines before him. He was relieved to see the assortment wasn’t all meant for prospective mothers. He considered the weekly newsmagazine safe and picked it up. As he flipped through the pages, he was aware of the chilly presence next to him.

  He had no idea what he might have done, but it must have been a doozy.

  “Nora Summers?” a nurse appeared at an inner door.

  He started to rise, but Nora stayed his movement.

  “You don’t need to be present for this part of the examination,” she told him.

  “Nora, I’m a paramedic,” he kept his voice low. “I’ve delivered babies and it’s not as if I haven’t seen—”

  “Do not go there.” She held up her forefinger in the universal sign to be quiet or else. She practically pushed him back into his chair. “You can come in when he’s finished.” She turned around and walked toward the waiting nurse.

  Mark opened his magazine again and tried to concentrate on a story about a small town that had voted the fire station’s canine mascot as mayor.

  “Who says he couldn’t do a good job?” he muttered.

  Ten minutes later, he’d finished the magazine and gone on to another. A half hour after that, he had to keep himself seated instead of pacing the room. He looked around. Why weren’t women coming out of the back? Or did the office have a separate exit?

  Was there something wrong with Nora or the baby? Why hadn’t they called him?

  He began drumming his fingers on his knees. He never considered waiting one of his strong suits.

  “Is this your first?” A woman seated a few chairs over asked, noticing his impatience.

  “Ah, yes,” he cleared his throat. “Yes, it is.”

  She smiled. “My husband wanted to know everything the first time around too. This is our fourth.” She patted her burgeoning belly. “It’s pretty much old hat to him now.”

  Mark looked at her more closely. “Wait a minute. Didn’t you have twins a few years ago?”

  She slowly nodded. Then her face lit up. “I know you! You were the paramedic who responded to my husband’s call the night I had the twins. That night was so crazy. My water broke, I was in heavy labor and he couldn’t get the car started.”

  Mark laughed as the memory of that night kicked in. “He was convinced something would go wrong, while you were so calm it was almost scary.”

  She laughed along with him. “I had to be calm. My husband was creating enough trouble with his constant questions.”

  “He was better than some. I’ve had some of them ask if they can take pictures,” he explained. “And now you’re on your fourth? You’re a brave woman.”

  “We decided this one will be our last,” she replied.

  “Mark?”

  He’d been so engrossed in their conversation he hadn’t realized Nora had come out.

  “Are you all right?” He half rose out of his seat.

  “Just fine. Why don’t you come on back?”

  “You’re lucky with your first one.” The woman smiled at Nora. “At least your husband won’t lose his cool if you go into early labor too soon like mine did. He’ll know what to do.”

  “Let’s hope he won’t have that chance,” Nora replied. “I like the idea of a hospital, doctors and nurses.”

  “Don’t we all.” She chuckled.

  Mark stood up and followed her to the rear of the suite of offices.

  “I was wondering if you were being kept prisoner back here,” he muttered.

  “There’re three doctors in the office and it’s very, very busy,” she replied, heading to the end of the hall. “It’s your typical doctor’s office. Not a mad scientist’s laboratory or dungeon.”

  “I just want to meet him.”

  She stopped so quickly he almost ran into her.

  “Do not ask him about his credentials or how many babies he’s delivered or anything else,” she said. “Do you hear me?”

  Mark blinked at her fierce tone. “Okay.”

  “You are here because I said you can be here. That’s all.” She turned back around and walked into the open doorway. “Mark, this is Dr. Jackson. Doctor, Mark Walker, my baby’s father.”

  Her baby’s father.

  Those two words hit Mark like a sledgehammer to the knees. He managed a smile as he held his hand out to the doctor. He recalled seeing the
man before.

  “I’ve seen Mark in the emergency room a few times.” Dr. Jackson stood up and reached across his desk to take Mark’s hand. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Mark nodded. “I just want to hear that Nora’s okay.”

  “More than okay. Everything looks great. Nora is taking excellent care of herself, the baby is right on schedule. I want to do a sonogram next month. We’re anticipating a healthy baby in five months.”

  “Sounds like a plan to me,” Mark said, relieved to hear good news.

  “Nora said you wanted to hear it for yourself, so I hope that settles your mind?” the doctor asked.

  “Definitely. Thank you.”

  “Fine, then, Nora, I’ll see you in a month. If you have any questions or if you ever experience cramping or bleeding, call me immediately.”

  “I will. Thank you.” Her smile was degrees warmer for the doctor than it had been for Mark.

  They left the office with Nora leading Mark toward a rear door.

  “Don’t you need to make your next appointment?” he asked.

  “That’s already been taken care of,” she replied.

  Since several people were waiting at the elevator, Mark didn’t say anything. He helped Nora on with her jacket before they walked outside.

  Salt air from the ocean was strong as they crossed the parking lot. Mark noted the charcoal-colored storm clouds overhead and wondered if they’d have rain by nightfall.

  As before, he helped her into the truck and secured her seat belt. And, as before, he turned his head to look at her face.

  His mouth was close enough that a kiss would have been inevitable. He took a chance and lightly covered her mouth with his.

  “Your lip gloss has an interesting flavor,” he murmured.

  “It’s champagne flavored.” She breathed the words, staring into his eyes. “It’s part of CeCe’s cosmetics line we carry in the salon.”

  He stole another kiss before drawing back. “It suits you. Let’s get you fed before I take you back to the salon. Wouldn’t want sister dearest accusing me of keeping you malnourished.”

  Nora watched Mark cross in front of the truck and climb in the driver’s side. Her lips still tingled from his kiss.