Page 35 of A Very Grumpy Doctor

He swallows hard, glancing down at me.“She’s perfect.”

“She is,” I agree softly.

The baby kicks again as Dr.Tracy wipes off my stomach.

I rub the spot.“She’s active today.”

The doctor smiles.“That’s a good sign.Maybe she’ll be making an appearance sooner than three weeks.”

I smile, excitement filling me.I can’t wait to meet our little girl.

Dr.Tracy and Daisy step out of the room, and Hugh helps me to sit up.I grimace as the paper crinkles loudly beneath me, and Hugh grabs me, lifting me off the examination table.

“Still hate that,” I mutter.

“I know.”

I change, with Hugh doing most of the work.When he bends to tie my shoes, I’m relieved.I can’t even see my toes over my stomach.God knows what would happen if I tried to bend over to do it myself.

Hugh slips his coat on and cups my face in his hands.“You okay?”

“Yeah, I’m okay.”

“Really?”

“Yes, Hugh.Really.”

His thumbs brush over my cheeks.“You did good today.”

“It was a routine appointment, not a battle.”

His gaze softens.“It used to feel like one for you.”

My smile fades a little because he’s right.This place felt terrifying once.Cold.Judgmental.Unsafe.Now, it’s just a clinic.Not my favorite place in the world, not somewhere I wanted to hang out for fun, but not scary.Not anymore.

“I’m not afraid now,” I say quietly.

“I know.”

“I still don’t love doctors.”

His mouth curves.“No?”

I slide my hands up his chest, smoothing them over his coat.“One doctor is okay, I guess.”

“Just okay?”

“Don’t push it.”

He laughs, then kisses me, softly at first, sweet, then a little deeper, like he can’t help himself.

Five years, and he still kisses me like he’s just found me.

When he pulls back, his forehead rests against mine.

“I love you, Alexi Mercer.”

My heart gives that same wild, helpless flutter it always does when he says my married name.“I love you too.”