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Hospitals. One step inside and Anna was reminded of her dad—the months he spent fighting, in and out of the cancer ward, receiving treatments that they’d pinned so much hope on, only to ultimately lose. She wasn’t sure she could deal with another loss like that, and she was already so attached to the idea of the baby.
“We’re going up to the sixth floor.” Anna pointed to the bank of elevator doors straight ahead. When the doctors realized who Anna was and the serious straits she was in from the beginning, they’d moved her first prenatal appointment to the specialist’s office at the hospital. They wanted her to see a physician well-acquainted with high-risk pregnancies. Having that extra care was a comfort, but she really wished she didn’t need it at all.
Jacob held the elevator door for her, being as gentlemanly as could be. She shoved her hands into her coat pockets. How she would’ve loved to be able to take his hand, squeeze it, have a true partner in all of this. But she didn’t. He was the obligated dad. It had taken the pregnancy announcement to bring him back into her life. She hadn’t heard a word from him after they broke up. Of the many things she had to get past, that now felt like the most difficult.
They reached their floor and stepped out into a quiet hall. There were several clinics along the corridor, theirs a few doors down. A woman at the reception desk welcomed them and had them take a seat.
A man across from them opened a breakfast sandwich of some sort, even when there was a very clear sign inches from his head saying there was no food or drink allowed. Anna loved eggs and bacon, but this morning the smell made her want to hide her head in a trash basket. Why wasn’t the receptionist doing something about it? She was just sitting there, shuffling paper.
Anna turned into Jacob’s arm, pressing her cheek and nose to the black wool of his coat, closing her eyes and drawing in one of the few scents she found appealing—woodsy and warm and surprisingly calming.
“You okay?” he asked, lowering his head to hers. When she looked up, their noses were inches apart.
She was caught in the fierce intensity of his dark eyes, which left her lips quivering. She would’ve done anything to be where they were weeks ago. Why did she have to have such strong feelings for him? Things would be so much easier if she didn’t still want him. “It’s the smell of his sandwich,” she whispered.
Jacob stood and took Anna’s hand, urging her to join him. “Come on.” He marched over to the receptionist’s desk. “Yes, excuse me. My wife is feeling a little queasy. I think she would feel more comfortable if we could be alone back in the examination room, if that’s all right.”
“Your wife?” Anna mumbled under her breath.
“The nurse will be out any moment now. It won’t be much longer,” the woman said.
“It’s okay,” Anna whispered. “You don’t need to make a fuss.”
“She’s uncomfortable. You need to help me fix that.” He cleared his throat.
The receptionist glared at him. “As I said, sir. One more moment.”
He grasped Anna’s hand. “I understand, but it’s literally killing me to watch my pregnant wife suffer. So if you could please find us a place to get settled, that would be wonderful.”
“Fine, Mr., uh...” She reached for a folder. “Mr. Langford.”
Anna prepared for him to explode, but Jacob took it in stride.
“I’m Mr. Lin. She’s Ms. Langford.”
“Oh, yes. Of course.” She picked up the phone. “Two seconds.”
A nurse quickly emerged from the door next to reception and brought them back to a private room. “The doctor will want to speak to you and then do the pelvic exam. You can change into the gown after I take your vital signs.” She took Anna’s blood pressure and temperature, as well as her weight, then left them alone.
“You really didn’t have to make a fuss about it, and I appreciate it, but please don’t call me your wife,” Anna said. There were enough gray areas. They didn’t need more.
“Would you have preferred I identify you as the woman I impregnated? And don’t forget it’s my job to take care of you.” Jacob unbuttoned his coat and put it on the hook, then took hers from her.
“It’s your job to help me with the baby, when and if the time arrives.”
“You are the vessel carrying the baby, and I don’t like seeing you suffer, anyway. It’s physically painful for me.”
