Chapter 44 Bryce
Jada: Want to get lunch with me today?
Bryce: I’d love to. I’ll make a reservation. Somewhere without seafood.
Jada: *praise hands*
Ever since I got the text on Wednesday morning, I’d been looking forward to it.
It was a busy week, and I wasn’t scheduled to see Jada until Thursday after work when we’d be going to meet the wedding planner for a rapid-fire planning session.
Then I’d get the whole weekend with her in Cottonwood Falls so she could meet my family.
But that didn’t feel like enough. I thought about her more than I’d ever thought of another human.
It was strange, looking at her name on my phone and thinking of things I could say to start a new conversation.
To get one of her sassy texts or scrolling online stores for something to buy for the sweet little girl on her way.
Maya bumped my meetings so I could go to lunch with Jada, and I was grinning when I saw her come into the parking garage. I pushed off the running town car and went to her, wrapping her in a hug. Her chest pressed against mine, her hands hooked behind my waist. It felt like home.
Her eyes sparkled as she looked up at me. “That’s a warm greeting.”
Smiling myself, I tilted my head and brought my lips to hers. “I’ve missed you,” I murmured between kisses.
“It’s been two days,” she giggled.
“Two days too long.” I slid my tongue along the seam of her lips, and she moaned slightly, letting me in. Tasting her had to be my favorite part of the day so far.
Her tongue swept against mine, and her fingers curled under my blazer, tugging at my dress shirt. If we were anywhere else, if Gen wasn’t waiting for us in the car, I would have said to hell with lunch and bent her over here until she cried out my name.
Now that I had a taste of her pussy, heard the way she moaned in pleasure, I knew it would never be enough.
She broke the kiss, gasping for air. “We’ll never make it to lunch at this rate.”
I smiled. “Is that a problem?” I kissed her neck, savoring the feel of her skin under my lips.
Laughing, she said, “Only when my stomach growling wakes up the babies in the nursery.”
Kissing her one last time, I linked my fingers with hers and said, “Let’s get you some food.”
We rode in the back seat of the car to one of my favorite lunch spots nearby and sat at a table, talking about our weeks so far.
She showed me a picture of Glamma in front of the boutique named for her.
I told her about Aaric buying a “self-care” gift for his friend, not realizing that it was a pack full of sex toys.
She laughed so hard her eyes started to water.
It felt natural to be here with her, and I found myself disappointed when the food was gone from both our plates, save little crumbs of bread and shredded lettuce from our sandwiches.
She twisted her lips to the side. “We should get going. Do you mind dropping me off at the doctor before you go back to The Tower?”
My eyebrows drew together. “Everything okay?”
“Yeah, just a check-in with my OB. No biggie.”
“Oh... do you—is it okay if I come?”
A surprised smile touched her lips. “You want to come to the doctor’s office?”
I reached across the table, holding her hand in mine. “I want to go with you to your appointment. You’re strong, I know that, but you shouldn’t have to do this alone.”
Her eyes seemed a little misty before she blinked it back. “Are you sure you have time?”
I held up a finger and dialed Maya. After a few rings, she picked up, and I said, “Maya, clear the next couple hours. Thanks.”
Jada’s lips parted. “That was so hot.”
Chuckling, I said, “Wait until you see how I fill out a form. Block letters only.”
“Damn.” She laughed, standing up from the table. I got both our trays and brought them to the trash can before walking with her to the car where Gen was waiting. The golden fall sunlight hit her blond hair and bounced off her mirrored glasses.
“Ready?” she asked.
“Sure are,” I replied.
We got in the car, and Jada gave her the address to a medical center not too far away. Even though I wanted to go with her, I felt my chest tightening as I looked up at the sign. I’d never been the support person for a pregnant woman before—how would I know if I was doing it right?
Before walking into the building with her, I made a mental note to ask Fletcher.
As I studied the place while Jada checked in, I started to become more worried. The building was clearly run-down. The magazines on the table were all torn and nowhere near recent editions.
Looking over at Jada, I asked, “Dr. Martins recommended this place to you?” I tried to keep the judgement out of my voice, and it must have worked because she barely looked up from her form as she nodded.
I got out my phone and fired a text to him.
Bryce: Why did you send Jada to New Hope Clinic?
Within moments, he responded.
Dr. Martins: Dr. Blake is the best doctor for low-income, uninsured patients. The facility leaves a little to be desired, but I trust them.
My jaw clenched. It was a good answer, but not great. As I looked around, I couldn’t help the anger that rose up in my chest. Mothers deserved better than this sad building, no matter their income status.
Bryce: The best for low-income patients, or the best, period?
I wouldn’t ask Jada to get a new doctor if she didn’t want to, but I had to know that she was receiving the very best care.
Dr. Martins: We did our residency together. They’re an incredible doctor. Are you concerned?
Bryce: The building is not great.
Dr. Martins: When they have to choose between taking patients or making aesthetic updates, there’s an obvious choice.
My teeth ground together, and I opened a new text message and fired one off to Maya.
Bryce: Prep a slide deck for our next charitable efforts meeting. New Hope Clinic needs a new building. At the very least a renovation.
Maya: On it.
Jada moved to get up with her paperwork, but I said, “I’ll bring it up there.”
“My hero,” she teased.
I chuckled, bringing it to the woman at the desk. She didn’t even make eye contact as she took the clipboard with a muttered thank you.
After a little while, we were taken to a small back room where Jada’s vitals were taken and we waited again.
My phone vibrated in my pocket, and I pulled it out.
Jude: Come see me when you get back to the office.
I sent a quick thumbs-up emoji and put it back in my pocket. I felt Jada’s eyes on me before she said, “You’re busy. Are you sure you don’t need to go back to work?”
“I want to be here.” I took her hand in mine. “Thank you for letting me come.”
“Are you talking about Saturday or today?” she teased.
My cheeks felt hot. “Both?”
I almost missed the sound of a knock on the door over Jada’s laugh. When the doctor came in, they smiled at both of us. “Sounds like you’re having a good time in here.”
Jada squeezed my hand. “Always with this one.”
The doctor shook my hand. “I’m Dr. Blake, they/them.”
“Bryce,” I replied. “Jada’s fiancé.” I added, “He/him,” out of respect.
The doctor gave an impressed smile. “Congratulations on the engagement and the little one.” They scrubbed their hands with hand sanitizer. “Shall we take a look?”
Jada nodded, so I took a chair next to the exam table while Dr. Blake got the ultrasound ready. They talked Jada through each step of the process, and I found myself impressed with their bedside manner. Plenty of doctors just did their thing and expected you to go along with it. Not Dr. Blake.
When the image filled the screen, I stared in awe. Even from the photo Jada had, baby girl was bigger than before. I could see her hand tucked near her mouth like she was thinking of sucking on her thumb. Her little legs were bent and curled in.
“Beautiful,” I breathed.
Jada looked over at me with a full-faced smile. “She is, isn’t she.”
I nodded, holding Jada’s hand.
Dr. Blake clicked on the screen, and I found myself transfixed with the image. Every little thing about Twyla Jordan was perfect.
“You’re measuring at thirty-four weeks,” Dr. Blake said, “About six weeks left!” They named off some symptoms Jada could be experiencing and ways to prevent them, but it was hard to focus on that as the situation got very real.
In six weeks, I would have a wife and a baby.
Fear gripped me like never before, because I had more to lose than ever before.
“How is her glucose tracking?” I asked the doctor.
“Elevated, but we’re keeping an eye on it,” the doctor answered.
“And her risk of preeclampsia?” I pressed, anxious to know every possible concern was being addressed.
“Blood pressure is normal at this time.”
“And how about iron levels?” I wondered. “I read that iron deficiency is common in pregnancy.”
“Her prenatal vitamins seem to be doing the trick.”
I asked a few more questions, which Dr. Blake fielded seamlessly—I was starting to trust Dr. Martins’s assessment more and more.
When I finally ran out of worries that had been clouding my mind, Dr. Blake spoke up.
“Jada, you know how to contact me if you need. Make sure Bryce has my number too, just in case he goes into over-protective dad mode.” They winked at me. “I’ll see you again in two weeks.”
Once the door shut behind the doctor, Jada looked at me with an awed expression. “How do you know all of this stuff?”
My cheeks heated. “I might have read a book... or three.”
“Three?” she asked. “You found out Friday night!”
“I know but I spent most of Saturday with you, so that cut into my time.”
She shook her head at me, a small smile on her lips.
“What?” I asked, feeling like I was pinned under a microscope.
“You’re such a nerd.”
I choked out a laugh. “Really, that’s what you got out of all that?”
She twisted her lips to the side. “That’s the main thing.”
Shaking my head, I leaned in to kiss her. “I’m glad you’re in good hands. Truly.” I kissed her temple too.
“Even better now that I’m with you.”
I left the doctor’s office feeling closer to Jada than ever. In the past, work was the only place where I felt like I really belonged. But now? Jada was starting to feel like home.
But when we got in the car, I got another text from Jude.
Jude: When are you getting in? Need to talk asap.
I tapped out my reply.
Bryce: I’ll be there soon. Everything okay?
Jude: Best to discuss in person.
My stomach dropped—seemed a lot like the other shoe was ready to fall.