Page 61 of Prognosis Incompatible

‘Come in,’ he said. ‘Sit down.’

Tabitha did as she was asked and looked at Marcus for a few moments. ‘I’m sorry about bursting in last night and being rude to your...ah...guest. It was late and I was tired and I guess I just wasn’t expecting it. So who is she?’

‘Madeline Harrington. She’s a GP in the practice next door.’

‘It didn’t take you long,’ she said pleasantly.

‘I love her, Tabitha.’

She blinked and Marcus could see he’d surprised her. ‘You used to love me.’

‘Oh, Tab,’ he said gently, ‘that was forever ago.’

She nodded. ‘But now we have this second chance.’

He sat back, ignoring the statement. ‘How far along?’

‘Ten weeks according to my GP.’

Marcus did a quick calculation in his head. That would most certainly fit the time frame. ‘Have you seen an obstetrician yet?’

‘I have one in a month. I was...hoping you’d come with me.’

‘In Melbourne?’

She nodded and he could see all his hopes and dreams with Maddy and his new practice come crashing down.

‘I can’t move here, Marcus. It’s too hot. Too far away from my family and friends.’

So if he wanted a relationship with his baby he was going to have to go back. ‘Tab...’

‘I can’t leave Melbourne, Marcus. Please, don’t ask me to.’

He nodded, not bothering to disguise his irritation. She couldn’t leave Melbourne but it was okay for him to up sticks? Turn his back on everything here? His practice. Maddy.

God...would Maddy go to Melbourne with him?

‘I don’t love you.’ He didn’t mean it to be harsh but he wasn’t going to pretend, either.

She nodded at him. ‘We could make it work this time. For the sake of the baby. This child deserves two parents, Marcus.’

‘Yes, thank you, Tabitha,’ he said testily even though he was trying not to be – this wasn’t her fault, either. ‘I think I understand that better than anyone.’

‘I’ve booked you a flight home.’

Marcus blinked. ‘You what?’ he asked quietly.

‘You know you’ll come back home.’ She shrugged. ‘Might as well just rip the band aid right off.’

There were a lot of things about this situation that Marcus couldn’t control but he was damn sure he was going to control the things he could.

And Melbourne didn’t feel like home anymore.

‘I don’t know what I’m going to do yet but I do know I’m not rushing into anything. There are things that need settling here. I can’t just take off.’

‘You mean you won’t,’ she said, her voice sharp.

‘I need time.’

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