Page 36 of Soaring and Saucy

He was growing on her. She didn’t tell him to shut up this morning like she did last night – and she was looking at him, his body, and commented on it. His running shorts that said ‘Navy’ across one thigh were perfectly decent. He exercised in them all the time, and they were comfy. It could have been so much worse, and she had to have realized that.

Maybe she was uncomfortable with looking at him? Perhaps she was remembering their wedding night?

“You know, princess…”

“Don’t call me that.”

“If you liked what you saw…”

“I didn’t.”

“I think you did.”

“I wasn’t looking.”

“I’d be more than happy to give you a repeat performance.”

He heard something slam down as she muttered something under her breath. He held his breath, waiting to see if she was going to blow up, cry, or say some smart remark to him so he knew what the ‘tone’ today would look like and could plan accordingly.

“Stephanie? Did you hear me? If you want a…”

“Not right now.”

His eyes widened as a wide grin spread across his face. Oh hello! That was very encouraging, he thought happily. She was considering spending some time under the covers with him again and came around the corner to see her bloodless face as she leaned against the counter.

“I’ve gotta sit down,” she whispered and started to slide to the floor, making him spring forward in alarm. He caught her as she lolled weakly in his arms, scaring the bejesus out of him.

“Steph… Stephanie?” he uttered, panicking, patting her cheek as she made a noise, slipping into unconsciousness as her eyes rolled back. Setting her down on the floor, he dialed 9-1-1.

This was not how he anticipated starting their Saturday.

Less than an hour later, Stephanie was madder than a hornet in the emergency room, and he felt like a fool. Seeing her lying there on the floor had terrified him. When she came to in the ambulance, it became increasingly clear how little they knew about each other as the EMT and paramedic checking her out exchanged a look when he couldn’t answer any questions about her.

“What’s your wife’s date of birth?”

“Huh?”

“How old is your wife?”

“Legal, if that is what you are asking…”

“I’m not, but let’s move on. You said she’s pregnant?”

“Yes.”

“What was the date of her last cycle?”

“Her cycle?”

“Yes, her cycle. When was her last menses? Her period? When was the baby made? Sir, you are giving me a blank look.”

“She’s three months along – close to it.”

“Now we’re getting somewhere. Who’s her physician?”

“I don’t know.”

“Any family history of heart problems, stroke, fainting, any prior pregnancies? Hello?”

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