Chapter 17
CHAPTER SEVENTEEN
SAVANNAH
“Savannah Parker?”
My head snaps up at the sound of my name. A pretty young nurse is standing in the doorway and watching me with a kind smile on her lips.
Is it my turn already?
My gaze goes to the clock on the wall, and my stomach sinks.
He wasn’t coming.
The realization slams into me like a wave, knocking all the air out of my lungs.
Blake wasn’t coming.
The disappointment leaves a bitter taste on my tongue. I swallow the lump in my throat, pushing it down.
So, what if he didn’t come? This wasn’t the first time I did this on my own. I’ve been coming here by myself since I found out I was pregnant. I was used to the curious stares from other couples sitting in the waiting room. For the pity that came when they realized I didn’t have somebody with me.
It was fine.
I was going to be fine.
I told him he didn’t have to come.
So, what if he took me up on it?
Maybe something came up, or maybe he changed his mind and decided this was too much trouble.
That I was too much trouble.
He wouldn’t be the first person to come to that conclusion. I’ve learned early on that I couldn’t rely on anybody but myself, so why should Blake Walker be any different?
We’re in this together.
A shudder goes through me as his words ring in my head. The determined set of his jaw, his unyielding gaze as vivid as it was the day he said those words. He seemed so sure to prove me wrong. And for a second, I believed him. I believed that he could be different. That maybe, just maybe we could do this, and I wouldn’t have to be alone.
You know better than to rely on others.
“Miss Parker?” I blink, the nurse’s face coming into focus as she opens the door wider. “We’re ready for you.”
“Sorry.” I jump to my feet, running my hand through my hair. “I spaced out.”
Making sure to keep my gaze fixed in front of me, I pass by the other couples as I make my way toward the office.
“It’s not a problem.” The nurse shoots me a kind smile. “No company today?”
My stomach rolls uncomfortably at her question.
God, I hate this .
I know she was trying to be kind, but the question only made me feel worse than before.
Still, I force a smile out as I shake my head. “No, it’s just me today.”
Guilt flashes on her face. She tries to mask it, but it’s already too late. “C’mon, let’s get you…”
A loud bang echoes in the room before she can finish, followed by rushed footsteps. I turn around just in time to see no one other than Blake running into the waiting room. His chest is heaving like he ran all the way here. He’s dressed in a pair of loose basketball shorts and a Lonestars tee, his hair a mess of curls as if he ran his fingers through it countless times.
“Is it our turn?” he asks, looking between the nurse and me.
“I…” My mouth falls open in surprise as I just stare at him, completely at a loss for words.
He was here.
Blake… was here.
“You came.”
Those gray eyes fix on me. “I told you I’d be here.”
He did, didn’t he? But then he didn’t show up, and…
“I thought…” I shake my head, pressing my lips in a tight line.
He came.
Blake just stares at me for a moment. I’m not sure what he sees on my face, but the next thing I know, his long steps are eating the distance between the two of us until we’re standing toe to toe, his large palms cradling my face as he tilts my head back so I can look at him.
“I’ll always come for you.”
A knot forms in my throat. It’s like all the feelings that I’m not sure how to voice out loud have gathered there, making it hard to breathe.
Blake’s thumbs skim over my cheeks, his voice turning gentler. “I’m sorry I’m late. I would have been here earlier, but something came up.”
His jaw clenches, and something that looks a lot like anger shines in his irises.
Was he mad at me or at what happened that made him late?
I wasn’t sure.
I take a step back, putting so much needed distance between us. “You didn’t have to come if you were busy. It’s just one appointment; it’s not a big deal. I could have done it on my own.”
His eyes narrow, but before he can say anything, the nurse clears her throat, reminding me that we aren’t alone. “You guys ready?”
I force out a smile. “Yes.”
Moving past her, I slip into the office and go straight for the chair. Tense silence fills the room as I go through the initial assessment—checking my weight and blood pressure as the nurse goes over her questions. Once that’s done, she points us to the doctor’s office.
“Lay down on the bed and get comfortable. The doctor will be with you shortly.”
Thanking her, I slip into the office, Blake at my heels.
That tension only grows stronger now that we’re alone in the room. Turning my back to the bed, I start to lift myself up when Blake appears in front of me. His strong hands land on my hips as he helps hoist me up.
I suck in a sharp breath as Blake gently rubs at my sides, his palms almost cradling my bump before letting his hands drop. “I’m sorry for being late. There was…” He tilts his head, his expression growing distant as he weighs his words carefully. “An incident earlier that I needed to take care of.”
His jaw clenches as if he’s holding back his irritation.
“It’s fine. I told you; I can do this alone.”
“Savannah.”
My name comes out as a low growl, but I ignore him and continue, “Besides, you already have two boys, I’m pretty sure you’re more familiar with this office than I am.”
Something dark passes over his face. “You’d be wrong. I?—”
Whatever he wanted to say was cut off by the entrance of Dr. Gonzales. “Savannah, it’s so nice to see you today.” She shifts her gaze to Blake, one of her gray brows quirks upward in a silent question. “And I see we have company today.”
When I first came to her office, I told her the dad wasn’t in the picture, so I guess it wasn’t strange she was surprised.
“Dr. Gonzales, this is Blake Walker.” I glance at him, and explain, “He’s the dad.”
“It’s so nice to meet you, Mr. Walker.” Like the true professional she is, Dr. Gonzales brightly smiles as she shakes his hand before her attention shifts to me. “How are you feeling, Savannah?”
“Good, a little tired.” I lift my shirt all the way up, revealing my belly. “It also feels like I’m always hot and thirsty these days, but I guess that’s to be expected since it’s still crazy hot.”
The doctor grabs the gel bottle and squirts some of it on my belly. “Are you drinking enough water?”
“I am.”
“Good. Your blood work looks normal, so you keep that up, and we can discuss it some more in a few weeks. Then we’ll also do a few extra tests.”
“Extra tests?” My brows pull together. “Why? Do you think something’s wrong?”
“No, they’re all part of a regular checkup, so there is nothing to worry about. We’re just making sure everything is going well with you two.” She gives me a reassuring smile. “Ready to see that baby of yours?”
I nod silently as my teeth sink into my lower lip. Dr. Gonzales presses her wand against the goo on my stomach and spreads it around as she shifts her attention to the screen where an image flickers to life.
My heart does a little flip like it always does when I see it.
My baby.
The image is a blurry mix of blacks and whites adorning the screen, but there was no mistaking that the outline seemed more like an actual person with each visit than a speck of cells.
“ Holy shit, ” Blake mutters softly as he moves closer, his hand clasping around mine. I tilt my head back to look at him, but his gaze is firmly fixed on the screen, his lips slightly parted as he stares in wonder.
While he looks at the screen, I look at him.
It almost seemed like he was seeing it for the very first time, which was impossible. He had not one but two kids of his own.
Maybe this whole thing made it seem more real to him?
Blake’s gaze falls to me, and a smile slowly spreads over his lips. “That’s our baby.”
“That’s our baby,” I echo, my teeth sinking into my lower lip as warmth spreads through my chest at the look of pure love on Blake’s face.
My baby was loved, not just by me, but also by Blake.
Our baby.
“The baby seems to be doing well,” Dr. Gonzales comments, her attention still on the screen as she takes some measures. “There you can see it.” She points at the image. “Nice and steady heartbeat. All ten fingers and toes.” The woman turns to us, glancing tentatively between Blake and me. “You still don’t want to know the gender of the baby?”
I open my mouth, but before I can say anything, Blake shakes his head. “We’re good.”
I turn to him, surprised by his easy agreement. “Are you sure? Dr. Gonzales could tell you if you want to know.”
“No, I don’t care about the gender of the baby. I just want you two to be okay. That’s the only thing I care about.” The corner of his mouth tips upward slightly. “I will warn you, Levi is determined to have a brother, so…”
I let out a strangled laugh, tears welling inside my eyes.
“Shit, don’t cry, Blondie. It was a joke. Okay, he really does want a brother, but he’ll love the baby regardless. I don’t remember the last time when he was so excited.”
I brush my cheek with the back of my hand. “That’s not why I’m crying. I just can’t believe that my baby will have a family . An actual family .”
He couldn’t know how much it meant to me. Not really. A girl who only ever had a grandmother. She did a good job—an amazing job, really—raising me, and she loved me to pieces, just like I loved her. But there were some things she couldn’t give me, no matter how hard she tried to be both my mother and my father.
“It does,” he promises, his hand sliding to the back of my neck as he pulls me closer, his mouth pressing against my forehead. “You both have a family now, and that’ll never change.”