Page 77 of Restored Dreams

I’m more confused than ever on how to make things right with Lily. I want to ask her to marry me, but if she’s only going to refuse me, I don’t think I can handle the rejection. On the other hand, I don’t even know if she’ll still live with me. I can live with her, if she’d want that instead. I’d prefer she be my wife, but I understand she’s a modern woman, and she doesn’t need a legal document to prove I want to be with her. I also know my romantic Lily wanted marriage one day. Call me old fashioned, but I’d still like her to be legally joined to me. I want us to be a family. We aren’t playing house like Hank said yesterday morning. My house is her home.

Several weeks ago, Midge told me to stop wasting time. Hank told me to man up. Hours later, I have a plan. I will myself to stop checking my phone every five seconds and eventually leave it in my SUV as I run errands. The phone is close to dead, so when I return to the SUV, I plug it in and watch as the screen blows up with text after text. Some are from Lily’s phone, but it’s not her.

Brut, this is Ester. Call Lily’s number.

Brut, this is kind of an emergency. It’s still Ester.

Brut, don’t be the dick I think you shouldn’t be and call this fucking number.

Texts from Midge intermix with Ester’s growing frustration.

Call me.

Call Lily.

Get to the doctor’s office.

However, there’s one text from Hank.

You’re fucking this up.

Screw Hank, I go back to Midge’s and call her number.

“Thank God, Brut. You need to call Lily’s doctor.” My heart races as Midge announces this through the SUV.

“What happened?”

“She called me frantic. I didn’t want to make any assumptions, so I told her to call the doctor. I could hear the stress in her voice that she was in pain. Brut, I don’t think it’s good. She needs you.”

“Lima Bean,” I whisper, but Midge hears me.

“What?”

“Never mind. Can you text me the doctor’s address? I’m already driving, and I’ll put it in maps.”

“Got it. Call me back when you know something. I haven’t heard from her, and I’m worried.”

“Will do.” I hang up before I’ve finished speaking, calling the doctor’s office next.

“Brookes and Wadden OB/GYN.”

I explain I’m looking for Lily Warren and how far along she is in the pregnancy.

“And who are you?”

“I’m her husband.”

“I’m sorry, we don’t have a husband on record. I can’t offer any information to you.”

“Damnit. Can you just tell me if she’s there?” I bang against the steering wheel.

“I’m sorry, sir—”

“Just tell me if the baby’s okay, then? Just a yes or no.” My knuckles pale as I grip the wheel, making an illegal turn onto the next street.

“Sir, I can’t divulge any information. I suggest you contact the patient.”

“So, she is a patient, and she was there today?”