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“I’ll be okay.”
“You aren’t okay, but I’m always here if you need me. We’ll all get through this.”
I nod and lay my head on his shoulder, like so many times in the past. The strength and unity I had in the car seems to disappear. Seeing Seth and Maria’s reaction made this more real than even telling my mom. They are going to be grandparents. Shaw is going to be a dad.
Where does this leave me? For the first time, I realize we may not all get through this… together.
Chapter 19
Shaw
I give my name to the receptionist, and she points me to a door, indicating I should come through. Another woman meets me and offers to take me directly to Sasha, her peppiness grating on my last nerve. Instead, I ask that she lead me to the billing department.
Her smile fades, but she directs me to a small waiting room and says someone will be right with me. I sit and look around at pictures of smiling babies everywhere, some with doting parents holding them close.
Fuck. I close my eyes to avoid the happy families all around me.
How the hell did I get here?
It seems like a lifetime, but finally, a woman walks in and asks me to come with her. I don’t make eye contact with anyone as we go through a long hall and enter an office where another woman waits
for me with a professional smile.
“Mr. Bennett, please come in.”
I sit in the chair across from her desk and take out my wallet. “I’d like for you to keep my card on file for any incidentals, copays, or extra services Miss Crane requests. Anything this baby needs should be charged here.”
Her eyes dart between me and her computer screen. “Sasha’s insurance covers most prenatal appointments, and it looks like there are a few deductibles that will kick in for the actual birth.”
“Use this.” I tap my finger against the card.
“Okay.” She takes it and runs it through a machine then hands it back. “I’ll make a note in the computer.”
“Thank you. Now, I need to know how to get a copy of all the medical records pertaining to the prenatal appointments and Miss Crane’s progress.”
“Oh, that’s no problem. She has portal access to every blood test, result, sonogram, and upcoming appointment. It’ll be easy for her to give you.”
“Does she have to approve?” I ask coldly.
Her expression changes as she nods.
“Sasha and I are not together. I’d like to be kept abreast of all activity with my child. How do I gain that?”
She shifts uncomfortably and avoids eye contact. “I wasn’t aware of this situation. She will need to give you permission to obtain her records.”
“What about my baby’s?”
“She will still need to give permission.”
“Okay, what if we have a court order? Legal documentation? A warrant?”
“Yes, we will have to work with certain legal documentation.”
“Okay. Thanks.” I stand, knowing exactly what Caldwell will need if Sasha refuses. “Now, can someone show me to Miss Crane’s room?”
“Of course.” She gets up and leads me to a waiting room without another word.
That little meeting should feed the gossip mill for a while.
