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Staring at the oval-cut fake diamond and the thin, gold band that wrapped around it, I pressed the purchase button without hesitation. Worst case, it’d be good for nights at the bar when I didn’t feel like being flirted with. “Fine,” I mumbled, shoveling a small bite of egg into my mouth. “Maybe you do have better taste.”
Lisa laughed, her full smile returning as I desperately tried not to think about how real this was all beginning to feel.
Chapter 13
Hudson
Monday
At twelve o’clock sharp, a familiar set of faces greeted me in my office.
Not the ones I would have most liked to see, though. One is tucked deep down inside, so far down to ensure that I won’t think too hard about time spent with them Friday night. The other, tiny and cute and full of wonder, is always at the forefront of my mind.
Jannie and Steven Booth made themselves comfortable in the plush chairs across from my rolling one, the same one Sophie had tripped over as she’d tried to storm out. Stop.
Jannie had been a patient of mine for nearly a year. She’d done four rounds of IVF—one more than I’d recommended since it takes such a massive toll on the body and mind—but she was desperate, and I wanted to help her. Helping all of my patients achieve their dream of becoming parents is always the end goal.
“Alright, Jan,” I started, rolling my chair a little closer to her. “We’re going to do a pregnancy test today, and then another in two weeks. Are you okay with that?”
She nodded, her hands fidgeting in her lap as she held her husband's palm clutched between them. “What do we do if they’re both negative?”
The one question I hated most. It was the worst part of treating prospective parents, and every single time, it made my heart just a little bit harder and wanting to break. I took a deep breath, forming my lips into a thin line as I met her worried gaze. “If they’re both negative, then we have to call it quits. Your body can’t handle another round of the drugs. I’ve already done one more than I should have with you. I’m so sorry. But let’s try and stay positive until we know for sure.”
Jan’s expression fell as she looked at her husband, her eyes going glassy. “It’s alright, honey,” he said, giving her hand a little squeeze. “We can adopt if it doesn’t work.”
Jannie blinked away the tears building as she nodded. “Right.”
“Okay, let’s get that pregnancy test done for you. We’ll also need to check your blood to make sure the drugs are active in your system,” I said, sliding my chair back in front of my screen. I shot a message to the nurse, asking her to retrieve Jan and Steven for her test, before turning back to them. I had to shut off my emotions. I couldn’t allow myself to feel what they were feeling, couldn’t think about what my life would be like if I hadn’t had the chance to have Jamey. “We’ll call you in a few days with the results. Until then, keep taking the medicine. If it’s negative, you can continue with it until your next test. If positive, stop taking it right away, okay?”
They nodded in unison. I watched with clenched teeth as a single tear slid down Jan’s cheek, carrying what I could only assume were her hopes and dreams along with it. I genuinely wished I could fix it, and I’d done everything in my power to but considering their track record, implantation was next to impossible.
————
The house was eerily quiet when I stepped through the door. From the entryway, I couldn’t see Sophie or Jamey in the kitchen or the dining room, and judging from the silence in the living room, I doubted they were in there.
Toeing off my shoes, I pulled my phone from the pocket of my scrubs and sent Sophie a text.
Why isn’t there any screaming or shouting going on in the house?
Somewhere, not too far away, I heard the soft buzz of a phone on silent and a very suspiciously quiet giggle.
Jamey’s napping.
You’ll have to find me.
Napping? Jamey wasn’t one to nap this late in the afternoon. I groaned as I realized that would mean he’d be up late tonight.
You’ve ruined my evening, Sophia.
Here I was hoping for a relaxing night in, a glass of wine…
Now I get to spend it finger painting and watching PAW Patrol.
Another giggle, louder this time. I followed the sound through the house, checking the living room, the laundry room, and double-checking the kitchen.
Where are you hiding, little voyeur?
Somewhere you can watch me undress?
