Chapter 48
Chapter Forty-Eight
Trevor
Iroll over in bed, a big grin on my face when I realize what today is. It’s Tuesday. Ava isn’t working. And neither am I. With me taking on more shifts, it’s become rare that we have an entire day together. And I don’t plan on wasting it.
It’s a warm August morning. She’s wearing sleep shorts and a tight camisole that has ridden up her belly.
I’m fascinated when I see movement underneath her skin.
I stare as the hand, foot, elbow or knee traces across her abdomen.
Mesmerized by the activity, I’m tempted to reach out and touch her, but want to continue enjoying the show.
“Staring again?” Ava asks lazily.
I shake my head in awe. “I’m just wondering how you can sleep when she’s doing somersaults in there.”
“You get used to it.” Her eyes narrow in thought. “I didn’t think I would. And I really don’t want to. I want to cherish every single minute of this pregnancy because I know it’ll be the only one.”
My eyebrows rise. “Really? We haven’t talked about it, but I just assumed you’d want more.”
“Did you not read the letter we burned, Trev? I’m not going to put us through that again.”
I run a hand across the soft, taut skin of her tummy. “You’d really be okay with just one?”
Her lips form a soft, honest smile. “I really would. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately.
That we’re even having this baby at all is a miracle.
I want us to focus on being a family. And more importantly, I want us to be happy.
If I start thinking ahead, wondering when and if we’ll have another child, I know it will keep me from living in the moment.
And after everything we’ve been through this year, don’t we deserve a little happiness? ”
I wrap an arm around her and squish the baby between us. “We damn well do. And just so you know, I’m very happy with you. With us.”
“Me too. Which is why I don’t want to push our luck and go down that road again. We worked so hard for this one, and I plan on savoring every moment—the good and the bad. Every milestone. Each scraped knee. Every single hug, of which there will be thousands.”
I lay my head on her pillow, right next to hers. “Have you always been this amazing?”
She stares at the ceiling, looking guilty. “Honestly? No. I was selfish. Selfish to the point of almost ruining our marriage because of my obsession with becoming a mother.”
I put a finger under her chin and force her to look at me.
“Babe, that’s all in the past. We have our entire future ahead of us.
One that will include our little girl. And if you say she’s going to be our only one, I’m okay with that.
But rest assured, I’m going to spoil the shit out of both of you. ”
“And you can rest easy knowing I’ll never be that selfish again.”
When she reaches out and grabs my dick—maybe to prove a point—I stop her. “I know how uncomfortable you’re getting. We don’t have to do this.”
“I may not be able to do this for a long time, Trev. Maybe not even on our wedding night. So I say we take full advantage of this rare morning together.”
It’s been weeks since we’ve had sex. Between my crazy schedule and her increasing level of discomfort, I just figured it was off the table and I’d be relegated to exercising my right hand until well after the baby came.
But with her stroking me the way she is, you can bet I’m going to take her up on the offer and enjoy every second of whatever she’s willing to do.
I imagine some men might be turned off by their partner’s expanding form.
The silvery stretch marks. The thought of a baby being so close to their cock when they’re buried deep inside.
Not me. I think the pregnant female body is absolutely amazing.
Maybe it comes from being a doctor and my familiarity with the physiology of it.
Whatever it is, I can’t keep myself from touching her when she’s near.
From watching her when she’s far. From fantasizing about her when we’re apart.
Which is why it’s hard not to be a little disappointed it won’t be happening again for a while.
So if this is the last time I get to have sex with my pregnant wife, I’m sure as hell going to enjoy it.
“I want to taste every goddamn inch of you,” I whisper into her ear. “Your neck.” I kiss her pulse point at her throat. “Your breasts.” I pinch a sensitive nipple. “Your delectable pussy.” I touch her through her sleep shorts. Then I move a finger farther back. “Even here.”
She grips me harder. She loves it when I talk dirty. And the way she responds to me makes me feel like the king of the fucking world. The ruler of the universe.
“Take off my clothes already,” she begs.
I know she’s going to let me do all the things I crave. But right now, my lady is hungry for my cock to be inside her. And who am I to deny her anything? So when she climbs on top of me and sinks down, I once again thank my lucky stars that it was her. That it is her. That it will always be her.
“Need any help?” I ask hours later when she proclaims she needs a shower. “Shave your legs perhaps?” I cock a sultry brow. “Or other parts of you?”
She shoots me a traitorous look. “Are you calling me hairy?”
I raise my hands in surrender knowing better than to answer that question. “You’re perfect, babe. I was just offering my services should they be needed.”
“If you want to be of service, how about making bacon and eggs?” She rubs her stomach. “Baby’s hungry after all that.”
I laugh. “The baby is hungry, huh?”
“She is. And she wants pancakes too.”
I spring out of bed and pull on my skivvies. “Whatever my girls want.”
Still naked, she walks over and plants a kiss on me. “I can’t wait to marry you next week.”
I smile, because the woman has been nothing if not indulgent.
She’s let me plan everything, never mentioning that it’s a second wedding, or a vow renewal, or even just me needing validation of something I don’t remember.
She’s acting giddy almost, like how I’d expect a fiancée would behave before her impending nuptials.
I nip her earlobe. “You’re going to be the most beautiful bride.”
She giggles, looking down. “Yeah, right. With this basketball belly?”
“That’s exactly why you’re going to be so beautiful. Ava, when I’m up there on that altar, I’ll be pledging my life to both of you.”
“I love you, Trev.”
I swipe my lips across hers. “I love you too.” I turn her around and give her a playful swat on the ass. “Go take your shower. There will be a feast waiting for you.”
Grabbing my phone, I head for the kitchen. I don’t even get as far as the living room when my phone rings. I put it on speaker so I can talk and cook at the same time.
“Hello?”
“Dr. Trevor Criss?”
“Yes, speaking.”
“My name is Dr. Marcus Malone. I believe you know Lance Sharp?”
My meeting with him last week flashes through my mind. But then I remember he was heading back overseas, and my whole body stiffens knowing firsthand the kinds of things that can happen over there. “Has something happened? Is he okay?”
“Yes, yes, yes, he’s fine. He reached out to me a few days ago and your name came up.”
I set the pancake mix on the counter. “Is that so?”
“It did indeed. I’d heard of the famous Amnesia Doctor, but I had no idea Lance had a personal connection.”
“Mmm,” I half-grumble, wondering what this guy’s angle is.
“He spoke very highly of you.”
All of a sudden, it occurs to me exactly what his angle might be, and it has me forgetting all about breakfast. “Did he?”
“Said you were the best protégé he’s ever had. That you were destined for great things. And your goal was to work in cardiothoracic surgery. He said it’s all you ever talked about in your time overseas. Is that still your plan?”
Okay, now I’m getting excited. “Yes, sir.”
“Well, then, I think we might be able to help each other out. You see, our incoming cardiothoracic fellow had to pull out at the last minute. Personal reasons. So I’m finding myself without one.
And your name has made it to the top of my list.” He chuckles loudly.
“In fact, it’s the only name on my list.”
“Sir?” I’m confused. Surely this guy isn’t offering me a job sight unseen. “Are you asking me to come for an interview?”
My elation turns to trepidation. Because surely Lance didn’t tell him the entire story—that I’ve still not gotten my memory back.
No way would this guy offer me the job if he knew it.
I’m not stupid. I know the only reason I’m even working as a doctor is because I’m working in Calloway Creek.
A small town where everyone knows me, and probably pities me.
“No, Dr. Criss. I’m flat out offering you the fellowship. Lance is not only a physician who has earned my utmost respect, he also happens to be my brother-in-law. I’m married to his sister, Kathy, a detail I’ve been told you may not remember.”
My emotions are all over the place as excitement creeps back in. Because he knows.
“So you’re aware of my situation then?”
“I am. So what do you say, doctor? Want to help this chief of surgery out of a bind?”
My heart races. It’s everything I’ve dreamed of. And it’s happening. Even if it took one very huge favor from a friend I have exactly zero recollection of. And it brings on an emotion I’ve never felt before. Pride. For the doctor I once was.
“I… I don’t know what to say.”
“I’m hoping you’ll say yes.” He laughs heartily. “But as I’ve just realized I completely failed to mention what hospital I work in, I suppose you should start by asking that.”
“Sir, you’ve just offered me the holy grail, so I’m not sure I even care.”
“All the same. I’m calling you from Grady Memorial.”
My stomach twists in knots. I told Lance I was only looking for jobs within commuting distance, figuring if he did do anything on my behalf, he’d keep that in mind. I close my eyes and lean against the counter in defeat. “Atlanta?”
“That’s the one. How soon can you start?”
“Dr. Malone…” I blow out a huge sigh, because I can’t believe what I’m about to say. “I appreciate the offer, I’m just not sure I can—”
“I know what you’re going to say. Lance tells me you have a baby on the way. We’re happy to schedule around that and give you the time you need to relocate.”
“It’s not just that, sir. My wife runs a business here. I’m not sure I could bring myself to drag her away.”
“Hmmm,” he grumbles, like he’s surprised I’m not jumping all over the opportunity.
“Well, that is something to think about. Discuss it with her. I’ll have my assistant email you the offer.
Hopefully it’ll be one you feel you can’t refuse.
We could use a doctor with your drive and field experience, Trevor.
Atlanta on a Saturday night can be quite the combat zone.
” I hear voices in the background. “I’m sorry to have to cut this conversation short, but I’m being paged to the OR.
We can speak more about it later if you have questions. ”
I know he has to go, so I don’t draw it out any further. “Thanks for the call, Dr. Malone.”
The line goes dead, and I stare at the phone, not quite believing what just happened. That I’ve just been offered the job of a lifetime.
One I know I can’t accept.
A noise has me looking up. Ava is standing in the doorway, wrapped in a towel, looking like she never quite made it to the shower. And she looks pensive, staring at my phone on the counter like she heard every goddamn word.
She shifts uncomfortably from foot to foot. “I, um… was coming to ask you to put blueberries in the pancakes.”
I sigh. Yeah, she heard alright.
She walks into the room looking both happy and sad at the same time. Working herself between me and the counter, she puts a gentle hand on my chest. “I’m so proud of you. I hope you know that.”
“Thanks, babe.” I kiss the tip of her nose. “I’m sure other opportunities like this one will turn up sooner or later. Ones closer to home.”
I hear myself saying the words, but I’m not sure I believe them.
She cocks her head and studies me strangely. “Trevor, you’re going to say yes, aren’t you?”
“No, I’m not.”
“Home is wherever we choose to make it.” She leans away. “You have to take the job. It’s everything you’ve ever dreamed of.”
I pull her back to me. “You’re everything I’ve ever dreamed of. Our life is here. The coffee shop. Our friends.”
She shakes her head. “I’m not going to let you give up this opportunity.
If you don’t take this job, one day you’ll be writing me another letter like the one I found tucked into your duffle bag.
Only that one will say you aren’t happy because you haven’t been able to live up to your potential and follow the path in life you were meant to follow.
” She takes my face into her cupped hands, fierce determination in her eyes.
“Take the job. For me. For you. For us. Please.”
I tilt my head down and press my forehead to hers. This woman. I didn’t think I could love her more. I was wrong. Because she’s willing to give up everything so I can become the man I was meant to be. So we could live the life I’d always promised her.