Chapter 33
CHAPTER 33
G raham
We stepped through the door of our private bungalow over the water—a true honeymoon oasis. For six days and seven nights, pure romance and relaxation were ours. We sat on our private patio with fruity cocktails, staring out at the crystal blue water—a sight that brought peace in the chaos of our lives being doctors.
“We’ve been here three days and only talked to your dad twice.” I smirked.
“You should know by now that he doesn’t have boundaries.” She laughed. “Can we go swimming with the sharks?”
I looked at her and arched my brow. “Uh, no. After seeing that shark attack victim, I’m good.”
“Oh, come on. We’ll be safe.”
“No can do, babe. I’ll do anything else you want but that.”
Besides making love like we would never see each other again, we jet-skied, took a beautiful sunset cruise, went snorkeling, had a private lunch on one of the islands, went on a private helicopter tour, and did some shopping. Our honeymoon was perfect, but it was time to return to our lives, family, and work. The day after we returned, the family welcomed us home by having what they did best: a party.
I was standing and holding a beer, talking to Jackson, Simon, and Sam, when Barb walked over.
“My, you are sure a handsome group of boys.” She smiled. “I’m Barbara.”
“Mom, we know who you are,” Simon said, and Jackson smacked the back of his head.
“I mean. It’s nice to meet you, Barbara.”
“You two look a lot like my boys,” she told Simon and Sam. “I have four little ones at home—quadruplets. They’re with their father this weekend.”
“Barb, sweetheart.” Curtis walked over and clasped her shoulders. “Let’s go get something to eat.”
“We have to hurry. The boys are coming home today, and I want to be there.”
“We’ll be home in plenty of time,” he told her. “Come on. The chef grilled your favorite shrimp.”
“So, son.” Nathan walked over and hooked his arm around me. “Any news on the baby front yet?”
“We’re not ready for kids yet.”
“Why not?” he asked, cocking his head.
“Were you when you found out about her and she came to live with you?”
“Oh snap.” Simon chuckled. “I love this guy.”
“That was different, Graham. I wasn’t married or in love.”
“All in due time, Nathan.” I patted his chest.
“There’s always Willow, bro.” Jackson grinned.
“You shut your mouth.” He pointed at his brother.
“Or better yet. That boy of yours could knock up some girl with the way he dates.” Simon chuckled.
“This is why I can’t have a serious conversation around these douchebags,” Nathan said.
One Month Later
E lla
I woke up and didn’t feel well. I felt exhausted even though I got a good night’s sleep. Rolling over, I placed my arm around Graham and snuggled into him. He stirred, rolling over and kissing my lips.
“Good morning, beautiful.”
“Good morning.”
“What’s wrong?”
“I’m so tired.”
“Well, there’s nothing like a magnificent cup of coffee to help with that. I’ll go make some while you get in the shower.”
“This is why I love you so much.” I smiled. “You spoil me.”
“It’s my job as your husband.” He tapped the end of my nose and climbed out of bed.
As I stood in the shower, trying to wake up, I placed my hand on my belly, which felt queasy. The shower door opened, and my handsome husband stepped in.
“You don’t mind, do you?” he asked.
“You know I love taking showers together.” I wrapped my arms around his neck. “Oh God.” I placed my hand over my mouth.
“What’s wrong?”
“I feel sick.” I lay my head on his shoulder.
“A lot of people at the hospital are sick. I hope you didn’t catch something.” He softly rubbed my back.
“I’ll be okay. I have a busy surgical day, so I don’t have a choice.”
I finished my shower and climbed out. I picked up the coffee Graham set on the bathroom counter and brought it to my lips. Before I could even take a sip, a wave of nausea swept over me. I quickly dumped it in the sink.
“You dumped a full cup of coffee out?” Graham asked as he dried himself with a towel and wrapped it around his waist.
“I can’t drink it. Just the smell is making me sick.”
“Maybe you should call in and stay home and rest.”
“I can’t. I’ll be okay. Do we have any Zofran left?”
“Yeah. I just saw the bottle in the cabinet the other day.”
“I’m going to take one.”
I left the bathroom and walked down to the kitchen. Opening the cabinet where we stored medications, I grabbed the bottle and shook a pill in my hand.
“Okay, my little friend. Work your magic.” I popped it in my mouth and chased it down with some water.
Graham came flying down the stairs and grabbed his shoes. “I have to go, babe. Dr. Ashley just paged me about one of my patients.”
“Okay. I’ll see you there. I love you.” I handed him his bag.
“I love you too. Feel better.” He kissed my forehead.
As soon as I dressed, I climbed into my car and headed to the hospital. I was already running late, and the traffic didn’t help.
“There you are,” My Uncle Jackson said when I walked into the scrub room.
“Sorry. I wasn’t feeling well this morning.” I began to scrub in.
“Are you okay now?” he asked with concern.
“Yeah. I’m fine,” I lied.
During a complicated surgery, a wave of nausea hit. I began to sweat.
“Are you okay, Dr. Kind?” My Uncle Jackson asked.
“I’m fine. Or maybe not. Dr. Orloff, help Dr. Kind,” I said, tearing off my mask and running out of the O.R. to the nearest bathroom. I flew into a stall and locked the door. Leaning over the toilet, I could feel the vomit rising in my throat and, before too long, expelling from my body.
“Fuck!”
When I was finished, I washed my hands thoroughly, put on a mask, and opened the operating room door.
“Stay out, Dr. Kind. You’re sick and need to go home,” my uncle said. “Dr. Orloff and I can finish.”
“I know. That’s what I was coming in to tell you.”
“Go home and get some rest. I’ll check on you later.”
I left the O.R. and went up to the pediatric unit.
“Hey, babe.” Graham smiled when he saw me step off the elevator.
“I was in the middle of surgery and had to leave to throw up. My Uncle Jackson told me to go home, and I’m not fighting him about it.”
“I told you that you should have called in.” He pressed his lips against my forehead. “You don’t feel warm, which is good. You probably just picked up a bug. Go home and climb in bed. I’ll see you later. I love you.”
“I love you, too.” I smiled.
When I got home, I changed into my nightshirt and lay down on the bed. My belly felt better, but the exhaustion I felt overtook me. When I opened my eyes and looked at the time, I couldn’t believe I’d slept for four hours. Climbing out of bed, I threw on some clothes and made a cup of tea. Taking it to the patio, I sat down. The cool breeze that swept across my face felt good.
“What are you doing home?” my mom asked, walking over.
“You might want to stay away. I’m sick.”
“What’s wrong, sweetheart?” she asked.
“Flu, probably. I had to leave the O.R. during one of my surgeries with Uncle Jackson to throw up. Talk about humiliating. I just woke up from a four-hour nap.”
She placed her hand on my forehead. “You don’t have a fever.” A bright smile crossed her lips. “Is pregnancy a possibility?”
“Well, there’s always a possibility, but no.”
“Are you sure?” The smile never left her face.
“Do you think?” I cocked my head.
“Anything is possible, sweetheart. Take a test just to be safe. I have to get to the dance studio.”
I went inside and placed my cup in the dishwasher. The front door opened. Graham walked in, holding a bouquet of beautiful red roses.
“Hey, beautiful.” He walked over, handed me the roses, and kissed my lips.
“Hi. Thank you. They’re gorgeous.” I smiled.
“How are you feeling?”
“Better. It was probably a twelve-hour bug.” I took down a vase, filled it with water, and arranged the roses.
The following morning, I awoke from a sound sleep, placed my hand over my mouth, and jumped out of bed.
Graham walked into the bathroom while I was kneeling and hugging the toilet.
“Damn. You’re still sick? You were fine last night.” He held my hair back.
When I was finished, I wiped my mouth on the cloth he handed me and stared at him.
“There’s a possibility I could be pregnant.”
“Are you serious?” I noted a hint of excitement in his voice.
“Maybe.” I pointed at him. “My mom put the idea in my head yesterday, and now I can’t stop thinking about it.”
“There’s only one way to find out,” he said.
“I’ll take a test as soon as we get to the hospital.” I wrapped my arms around him.
“Don’t do it without me.”
“I won’t.” I broke our embrace and kissed his lips.
Later that day, when I had some free time, I grabbed a urine cup, went to the lab, and grabbed a pregnancy test. Stepping onto the peds floor, I looked around for Graham.
“Misty, have you seen Dr. Malone?”
“He’s around here somewhere. Do you want me to page him?”
“No. That’s okay.” I smiled.
When I pushed the button to the elevator, the doors opened, and Graham stood there, holding a cup of coffee.
“Hi, beautiful.” He smiled.
“I’ve got the goods. Shall we go down to my office?”
“Definitely.”
I stepped onto the elevator, and Graham hooked his arm around me. “Are you feeling okay?”
“Yeah. Better than I was earlier.”
We stepped into my office, and Graham and I went into the bathroom and shut the door. After peeing in the cup, Graham stuck the test stick into the urine, and we watched as a line appeared.
“I guess you aren’t sick.” Graham grinned.
“I can’t believe I’m pregnant.” I placed my hands over my mouth.
“Believe it, babe. We’re having a baby.” His lips met mine.