21. Chapter 21
Apparently, becoming a father starts before the baby arrives.
Nolan
I walk into Terri’s office. “You ready?”
She grunts as she stands. “You don’t have to come with.”
Today is her first prenatal appointment. There’s no way in hell I’m not going with. I want to be there for her. Support her when she gets worried about carrying the baby. Celebrate the small victories with her. I want to be there for everything.
“That’s one,” I mutter.
Her brow wrinkles. “One what?”
“One spanking after our little mermaid is born.”
She shivers before clearing her throat. “You can’t spank me.”
I cock an eyebrow. “Wanna bet?”
Her breath hitches, and my cock twitches. I mentally add spanking to the things I’m doing to her once our baby is born.
I place my hand on her lower back and usher her out of her office and down the hallway.
“Where’s your bag of supplies?” she teases.
“In the car.”
She halts. “You’re serious? We’re going to the clinic. It’s in the hospital, which is five minutes away.”
“Don’t care. I like to be prepared.”
“You’re going to be one of those parents who arrives at the kid’s soccer game with snacks for the entire team, aren’t you?”
I am and I’m not embarrassed. I won’t be my dad. Never showing up at my games. Only asking how it went if it suits his agenda.
“Soccer? You think our kid is playing soccer?”
“Or maybe badminton.”
I choke. “Badminton.”
She wags her finger at me. “You’re letting our little mermaid play whatever sport he or she wants.”
“Our little mermaid can play whatever sport she wants, but I refuse to call badminton a sport.”
“It’s an Olympic event.”
I grunt. “Don’t care.”
“You’re annoying. It’s a good thing you’re hot.”
I smirk. “You think I’m sexy.”
She rolls her eyes. “Obviously. Little mermaid is proof.”
I can’t wait to show her how sexy I can be. Except she’s pregnant. I need to be gentle with her.
We arrive at my SUV and I open the passenger door for her.
“Did you borrow Brock’s SUV again?”
“Nope. This is mine.”
Her eyes widen. “You bought a new SUV? That was quick.”
I shrug. “The little mermaid can hardly fit in the back seat of my sports car.”
I start to shut her door but she shackles my wrist. “You bought this SUV because of our baby?”
“And because of you.” I kiss her nose. “I want you to be comfortable.” I shrug. “Besides, we need the space.”
“We need the space? I think you mean you need the space for all your doomsday supplies.”
I chuckle. “Maybe.”
She releases me and I shut her door before walking around the SUV. I don’t know why I fought against buying a bigger car for years. It’s more practical, more comfortable, and it’s better for a family.
My dad always drove a sports car. When we went anywhere as a family – which didn’t happen often – he drove his own car and we followed him in Mom’s mini-van. It was embarrassing. As if Dad didn’t want to admit he was one of us.
I screech to a halt. Why the hell did I buy a sports car to show off to my dad? What was I thinking? Was I seriously trying to please him? I learned long ago Dad can’t be pleased. Or, at least, I thought I had.
I climb in the driver’s seat.
“Are you okay?” Terri asks.
“I’m fine, sprite. Let’s concentrate on you and little mermaid.”
Her eyes narrow. “I don’t believe you.”
I give her the truth. “I was thinking about how driving a sports car is stupid when you’re six-foot-four.”
She giggles. “And you only came to this realization now?”
I shrug before switching on the engine and backing out of the parking space.
“Keep an eye out for Sammy.”
“The seal? I thought he camped out at your dad’s house.”
“Not all the time. He’s a rascal. He enjoys sunbathing in the middle of the street.”
“I’ll keep an eye out.”
I place my hand on her thigh as I drive. She’s wearing a short skirt. I can feel the heat of her skin through the material. I want to inch it up until I can touch her skin. My cock twitches. It’s on board with this plan.
“Where should I park?” I ask when we arrive at the hospital.
“You mean you’re going to find a parking spot yourself and not throw your keys at the security guard?”
I scowl. “I’m not apologizing for concentrating on you.”
“Figures,” she mutters before pointing to a spot. “There!”
I whip the SUV into the spot. She grabs the handle.
“Wait for me.”
“I can get out of a car on my own.”
“Do you want me to add another spanking to the list?”
Her breath catches. “I’ll wait.”
“Thought you would,” I say despite wanting to add another spanking to the list.
I hurry around the front to open her door. I grasp her hips and set her on the ground. She hardly weighs anything. I’m practically a foot taller than her. Will the baby be big? Will it cause her pain?
I open my mouth to ask her but slam it shut before I speak. I’m an idiot. Terri is worried enough about carrying our little mermaid to term. I’m not adding to her worries.
We ride the elevator to the fifth floor and check in with the receptionist. I usher her to a seat to wait.
I dig out my phone and open my email app. Before I can read the first email, Terri elbows me. “Is it always this way?”
“What way?” I glance around. “What’s wrong?” I knew I should have brought my bag of supplies inside.
She motions to the other women in the waiting room. “Everyone’s staring at you.” She points to a woman who’s extremely pregnant. “I’m afraid she’s going to go into labor due to the excitement.”
I throw an arm around her shoulder and the women sigh. “I’m with you. I don’t care about them.”
She studies my face. It’s clear she doesn’t believe me. Hopefully, in time she’ll understand I don’t care about the fans. I care about her.
“Terri Jordan,” the receptionist calls. “Dr. Reynolds is ready for you.”
I stand and offer her my hand. Together we walk to the exam room. The receptionist hands Terri a cup. “Urine sample.” She points to the restroom.
“This isn’t embarrassing at all,” Terri mutters as she makes her way to the restroom.
I stop her. “Sprite. There’s nothing embarrassing about this. You wouldn’t believe how many times I’ve had to stand naked in a room full of doctors.”
She snorts. “Easy for you to say.” She motions to my body.
I lean over to whisper to her. “Your body is sexy to me. You’re the sexiest woman I’ve ever known.”
She shivers. “I like it when you lie.”
“I’m not lying.” I push her forward. “Now, go pee like a champion.”
“I’m pregnant. I’m the champion of champions at peeing.”
I wait in the hallway for her to return. She steps out of the restroom and frowns at me. “You didn’t have to wait for me.”
I offer her my hand. “Agree to disagree.”
We enter the exam room together. Terri scowls at the exam table and sits on a chair next to me. I don’t get the chance to ask her why she’s scowling before the doctor sweeps into the room.
“Terri! It’s good to see you.”
“Hi, Dr. Reynolds.”
The doctor snorts. “We went to high school together. You can call me Jasmine.” Her gaze finds me. “And who is this big fellow?”
Terri rolls her eyes. “Are we pretending you don’t know who he is?”
Jasmine shrugs. “Maybe.”
Terri sighs. “Jasmine, this is Nolan. He’s the baby’s father.”
I hold out my hand and we shake. “Nice to meet you, doctor.”
“Oh, he has manners. I like him already.”
“You’re as boy crazy now as you were in high school.”
Jasmine clears her throat before opening a file. “I see your pregnancy was already confirmed with a blood test by Dr. Allens.”
Terri nods. “She insisted.”
“Dr. Allens is a force of nature. I thought she was the sweetest doctor in the world when she fixed my broken arm when I was a teenager. Now, I work with her and hide in the restroom whenever she’s near.”
“Liar. And you wouldn’t have broken your arm if you didn’t try to climb into the boy’s locker room.”
“As much as I find this fascinating – I expect you to tell me the locker room story over drinks some day – can we get to the important stuff?” I grasp Terri’s hand. “She’s anxious about the pregnancy.”
Jasmine clasps her chest. “I was wrong. I don’t like him. I love him for you.”
Terri’s hand jumps in mine but I don’t release her.
“Now, I assume since he’s here you don’t mind discussing your medical and family history in front of him?”
Terri shrugs. “He knows everything already.”
Her eyes widen. “He knows? I am loving this.”
“Dr. Allens assured Terri that her mom losing a baby during pregnancy doesn’t necessarily mean Terri’s pregnancy will be difficult. What can we do to ensure she stays healthy?”
Jasmine smiles at me. “Prenatal vitamins are important. Especially folic acid and iron.”
“Do you have prenatal vitamins?” I ask Terri.
Her nose wrinkles. “I…ah…”
I whip out my phone. “Not to worry. I’ve got this handled.”
“It’s also important to stay hydrated.”
“It’s a good thing Nolan carries a crate of water with him whenever we go somewhere,” Terri mutters.
“Nausea is worse on an empty stomach, so she needs to eat small, frequent meals.”
Terri throws her hands in the air. “Now, you’re talking as if I’m not here.”
“Sorry. He asked.”
I type everything into my phone. “Anything else?”
“Sleep and rest are incredibly important.”
I nod. “I’ll make sure she takes naps.”
Terri glares at me. “Are you going to become the pregnancy police?”
“The police only get involved when you don’t follow the rules.”
She grunts. “In other words, yes.”
Jasmine hands me a piece of paper. “This is a list of foods she can’t eat.”
Terri groans. “You’re teaming up with him.”
Jasmine ignores her. “You should also make sure she’s not stressed, gets a bit of exercise, and monitor for symptoms such as dehydration, cramping, bleeding, fever, and dizziness.”
“I’ve got this. I’ll make a checklist.”
The doctor stands. “Make sure to make an appointment for your date ultrasound with the receptionist. It was nice meeting you, baby daddy.”
The second the door closes behind her, Terri turns on me. “You appropriated the meeting.”
Her face is red, and she’s clenching her teeth. “I’m sorry. I know you’re worried. I wanted to help reassure you. I won’t let anything happen to our little mermaid, I promise.”
She deflates. “No fair. I can’t stay mad at you when you’re all caregiving.”
I squeeze her neck. “I will always care for you and the little mermaid.”
It’s a vow. I’m going to be the best dad I can possibly be. This baby is my responsibility and I won’t let her down.