Chapter 5
CHAPTER
FIVE
DAMON
Iarrive early to the doctor’s office, pulling my hat low on my head to hopefully not be recognized. I intend to ask the doctor for after-hours appointments after this first one, but I didn’t want to put that on Adeline so soon or put a spotlight on how much her life might change when this gets out.
Instead of walking into the office and sitting in a waiting room full of women trying to figure out who I am, I loiter around the hallway outside.
The elevator dings, and Adeline steps out with another woman. The woman is older but just as tall as Adeline and bears the same dark hair, except it’s much shorter. Where Adeline’s face is rounder, her mother’s is more oval. But that’s about the only difference between the duo.
Adeline smiles, and it’s so genuine my heart hurts.
I’ve had no sleep since she confirmed the news.
I’m not sure I’m father material, and I really hope she doesn’t think I’m relationship material.
Sure, I gave her my number last August, but that was only because I wanted her in my bed a second time.
“Damon, this is my mother, Marge.” Adeline holds her hand out to the woman who has an expression similar to what a guard dog might give an intruder.
Her teeth aren’t showing or anything, but it’s clear she’s not happy with me or this entire situation.
“She’s been coming to my appointments up until now. ”
I would’ve been too, if Adeline had told me.
After I left her last week and rolled over our conversation on the drive home, it was apparent to me that thanking her for not telling me about the pregnancy before now was probably a dick move.
I should’ve wanted to know about my kid from the start.
I should’ve wanted to read books on pregnancy.
I should have wanted to be here, holding her hand for every appointment.
I hold my hand out to Marge. “Nice to meet you.”
She shakes my hand. “You as well.”
I worry that I’m already down by fifty points, and there’s two minutes left in the fourth quarter as far as she’s concerned.
Plus, it doesn’t take much for people to find out about my reputation as a professional football player who doesn’t do relationships.
I wouldn’t want that for my little girl either.
“Okay, well, let’s go in.” Adeline opens the door to the doctor’s office.
My eyes instantly scan the room. Only two other women are waiting. One has her head buried in an e-reader and the other in a magazine. Neither even look up when we enter.
Marge sits in a chair on the farthest side of the room by the window, crosses her legs, and stares at me. Good to know where we stand.
“I don’t think your mom likes me,” I whisper to Adeline when we reach the counter.
She tells the receptionist her name and hands her a credit card from her wallet.
The receptionist squints as if she’s trying to place me. Fuck, I’m going to need a shit-ton of NDAs. My dad’s going to be pissed I didn’t dole them out before walking my ass in here.
“My mom doesn’t know you,” Adeline says.
“Her scowl says she knows of me.”
Adeline laughs, accepts her credit card back from the woman, and folds a piece of paper into threes while the woman tells us the doctor is running behind.
On our way back over to her mom, I lean in close. “How much?”
“How much what?” She puts the paper in her purse.
“How much has this cost you so far?”
“I have insurance.” She sits next to her mom, and I realize then that Marge took the seat in the middle of three vacant seats. My only option is to sit on the other side, next to her mom. “She said the doctor is running a few minutes late.”
I hate the fact she’s telling her mom that, and I’m right here.
I don’t want to be a dick. I understand her mom has been here for the last six months and I haven’t, but it’s not because I didn’t want to be.
I have a list of questions I want answered by either Adeline or the doctor, and her mom’s attitude toward me isn’t making this any easier.
“Marge, will you be coming in with us as well?” I ask, although I can guess the answer.
She looks at Adeline, who looks at me as though I’ve offended someone.
Holding up both hands, I say, “I didn’t know if there was a condition on how many could be in the room.”
“No. It’s fine for all three of us,” Adeline answers.
“So, Damon, how long of a trip was it out here for you this morning?” Marge asks.
“Not long.” I’m lying through my teeth, and she knows it. Chicago traffic is brutal. Although I thought the commute out of town wouldn’t be a problem, I was wrong. Seems both going in or out of the city is a nightmare to navigate in the morning.
“Oh, well that’s good.” Her tone doesn’t make it sound as though it’s good.
I sit in the chair, my elbows resting on my knees, waiting for Adeline’s name to be called because I can’t handle this threesome anymore.
The two other women waiting are called in by the nurses, and I relax a little.
“Must be hard,” Marge says, obviously seeing my visible relief at their absence.
“I just don’t want news to spread, you know?”
“Oh, I meant trying to figure out if you’ve knocked them up too.”
“Mom!” Adeline screeches.
I laugh. I can’t help it. There aren’t a lot of people ballsy enough to say something like that to someone’s face. Other than myself, of course. “Someone’s been reading up on me, I see?”
Marge turns to me, her back to Adeline. “It didn’t take but a few keystrokes. You like your women, from what I’ve read.”
So I was right, this is where her disdain is coming from. My reputation for being a playboy. I’d hate to inform Marge that her daughter was a willing participant the night we were together, and she knew the score.
“Mom, we’ve been over this.” Adeline glances at the receptionist. “We weren’t in a relationship. It was a one-night stand,” she whispers.
Marge holds her hand up to her daughter and faces me directly.
“I understand the benefits you have, being in the profession you’re in, but now there are responsibilities for you to step up for, and I’m sorry if I worry that when this little one comes, I’ll be the only one holding my daughter’s hand. ”
I take off my hat, running my hands through my hair. The gasp from the receptionist confirms I’ve given myself away. All of our eyes land on her, and she quickly turns her attention to her computer. Fuck, I should have listened to my dad’s voice in my head. ND fucking As.
I clear my throat. “I understand you’re worried.
I’m well aware of my reputation, but as I informed Adeline last week, I don’t walk away from my responsibilities.
I’m here today, and I plan on being at every appointment from this moment forward, including the birth.
I understand you might not take my word for it, but just like my high school coach who said I wasn’t fast enough to play wide receiver, I’ll prove you wrong. ”
“Um, the birth thing…” Adeline’s expression suggests we might have to talk about that.
I lean forward past her mom so I can meet her gaze. “Don’t worry, I’ll stay by your head.”
“Adeline,” the nurse calls, and our conversation ends.
Adeline stands, grabs her purse from the floor, and walks to the nurse at the open door.
I wait for Marge, but she stops and smiles at me, squeezing my hand.
I’m assuming that’s a good sign, although I don’t have a lot of experience with parents.
Other than Greta’s, but I’d known them my entire life.
The nurse takes us into an exam room, then leaves with Adeline.
“Where are they going?” I ask, rising from my chair next to Marge.
“Just to weigh her. Make sure she isn’t gaining too much weight.” She laughs at my confused expression and pats my knee. “Relax, she’s been great.”
“Aren’t pregnant women allowed to eat whatever they want? It’s like open season for them to eat all the food they want?”
“That’s not Adeline. She’d never do that.
I don’t say this badly, but you really don’t know one another, so I’ll clue you in.
My daughter follows the rules. She’s not going to gain more than the thirty pounds she’s supposed to.
She’s going to continue walking until the day she delivers, get all the sleep she needs, and she’s religious about taking her prenatal vitamins.
I know you didn’t choose this, but you couldn’t have picked a better woman to carry your baby. ”
I can’t respond because Adeline returns with the nurse. She slides up on the exam table with the paper sheet, and the nurse goes behind the computer, scanning her card to access her files.
“Adeline, your weight is still great. I’m going to take your blood pressure now.”
The nurse does everything she needs to, praising Adeline with everything she checks.
“Thanks,” Adeline says, and the nurse tells us that the doctor will be in soon.
I stand, unable to sit any longer, and I take off my hat because I find them uncomfortable. Posters on the walls show the different stages of pregnancy and how big the baby is.
“The baby is the size of an ear of corn,” I say out loud, though it’s really meant more for myself.
“Crazy, right?” Adeline runs her hands over her stomach. She’s wearing jeans and a sweater today, her dark hair curled into waves, and her makeup is natural, with cheeks so rosy I don’t know if it’s from the cold air outside or makeup.
A knock lands on the door, and we all say, “Come in” at once and laugh.
The doctor walks in and stops when she sees me. “I heard a rumor that we had someone new joining us.” She smiles at me, then nods to Adeline’s mom. “How are you, Marge?”
“I think I’m about to be replaced,” she says, but her lips turn up in a smile.
“I’m Doctor Griffin.” She holds her hand out in front of me.
“Damon Siska,” I say.
“I know. I’m a big fan.” She sits on the round stool and looks us all over. “So, anything new?”
Adeline laughs. “Damon is the… well, one thing we need to talk to you about today is a paternity test.”
“Okay.” She doesn’t react at all, giving no indication as to whether she finds this to be an odd request or not.
She simply scans her keycard at the computer and types something in.
“It’s not dangerous anymore like it was in the past. You have the easy part, Damon, just a swab in your cheek.
And now with noninvasive testing, we’ll take some blood from you, Adeline, and the test will come back in about a week or less. ”
“Easy then. Good.” I don’t know if it’s nerves or trepidation coursing through my veins.
She types some more in the computer, then stands and washes her hands. “Ready for the exam?”
Adeline lies down, seeming to know the drill.
“Do you want me to, um… leave?” I ask Adeline.
She shakes her head. “It’s nothing you haven’t seen before.”
I have no idea if she’s serious or not, which goes back to the fact that I don’t know her well enough yet. Marge laughs, signaling to me that her daughter was joking.
“We’re not going to look vaginally anyway,” Dr. Griffin says. “She’s playing with you.”
“Hell, I didn’t know. I’m usually the jokester, but I’m finding myself off my game with this newfound situation.” I walk over.
Adeline holds out her hand to me as though it’s second nature. I slide my hand into hers, and she squeezes. “I know you’re uncomfortable, and it’s taking a lot to be here, but I do appreciate it. I had to lighten up this room. It’s way too serious in here.”
“Thanks,” I say, smiling at her and remembering why I was attracted to her in the first place, besides her killer looks.
Dr. Griffin lifts Adeline’s shirt, exposing her belly. I look down at her, wondering if this is okay, but Adeline smiles at me.
“Since we just did an ultrasound last month, we’ll hear the heart rate and make sure it’s strong.”
“Did you find out the sex?” I ask.
Adeline shakes her head. “Do you want to know?”
I have no idea what to say. “It’s up to you.” That feels like the right thing.
“I’d like it to be a surprise,” she says. “If you don’t mind.”
“Not at all.”
Marge comes to the other side of the table, and I assume this will be us on delivery day too. Dr. Griffin feels around Adeline’s stomach, places some gel on it, then places a little wand-type thing on her belly, moving it around until the sound of a rapid heartbeat echoes through the room.
My body goes limp, and I stare at her stomach in awe. “Is that…”
Adeline’s eyes swim with unshed tears.
“Our baby,” I say, and she nods.
Holy shit, this all got really real, really quick.