Page 51 of Baby for Dr. Damaged

Amanda says, “I’m sorry, Jackson. Maybe… Maybe we can just reschedule?”

I lean in, giving her a kiss. “You’re fine, I understand better than most people. Go get changed, I’ll handle the phone call.”

“Thank you.” Amanda gives me a sweet smile and then turns, heading back for our room. She moved in officially just the week before. The thought of it still fills me with joy, a warmth that sits in the base of my chest, fighting off even the regret of having to call and cancel our reservation.

It’s fine. I’ll try again.

The next two days are spent making arrangements with the nannies and with Bonnie, so she can go from school to a friend’s house for the night. I buy an expensive bottle of wine and an even more expensive bouquet of roses. There’s a fancy dinner that took me literal hours to put together in the oven.

Candles have been set out and lit on the table, flower petals from slightly-less expensive roses on the dark wood around them. I’ve set out to make this the most romantic dinner that Amanda could have.

She’s due to be home in twenty minutes. Just as I’m taking the pork chops out of the oven, my phone goes off. Preoccupied with trying to get everything to turn out correctly, I don’t look at the number before answering it. “Hello?”

It’s Glenda. She says, “That might be the nicest greeting you’ve given me in years. You sick?”

“Glenda, no. Don’t do this to me tonight,” I tell her. “I have plans.”

“Mhm. Better be plans that you’re willing to change,” says Glenda. “Because we’ve got an emergency coming in, and it’s all hands on deck. Some big fire in an apartment building. The EMT call in sounded serious.”

A groan escapes. I reach over and turn off the oven. “What about Kurt?”

“When has that playboy ever picked up his phone?” Glenda asks. “I’m fairly certain he’s got my number blocked. Besides, did you not hear when I said it was an apartment building? I’ve got two ambulances already here, and at least three more on the way. You would have to come in, even if I could reach Kurt.”

“You’re killing me here,” I tell Glenda, but there’s no choice in the matter. I’ve got to blow out the candles, leave a note for Amanda, and go in.

But it’s fine. I tell myself that the third time is going to be the charm and try to pull out all of the stops again, this time with a trip to the park and plans on asking her there during a local festival. Unfortunately, a horrible wind and rainstorm blows in at the last minute and cancels the entire festival.

And then I get called into work anyway.

Because that’s just how things are determined to go, I suppose.

With each day that goes by, I find myself growing more and more irritated over the fact that I haven’t been able to ask her. Finally, it gets to me. We’re having a slow night at work, both myself and Amanda on duty. I decide that romance just isn’t in the cards for the moment, and instead work at just trying to get us both in the sleep room at the same time.

I would rather ask her under less-than-ideal circumstances than continue the trend of not being able to ask her at all!

As soon as the door is closed behind her, I grab her by the hips and back her up toward the bed. Amanda laughs. “Someone’s impatient.”

“We’re so busy all the time,” I tell her. I struggle to maintain a serious expression but can’t manage it. The thought of finally being able to pop the question is too exciting. My lips curl into a smile against my will. “I tried to make this romantic. I just want you to know that.”

“Tried to make it romantic, huh?” Amanda asks, amused. She presses a kiss to the side of my face and then drops down onto the mattress, one hand braced on the white sheets behind her to support her balance.

“That’s right. I did. I tried making you dinner, and going out to dinner, and taking you out somewhere fun.” I settle between her knees, leaning forward and cupping one hand against her cheek. “I decided that I just wanted to ask you. I know that this isn’t the special moment that you deserve, but I just can’t seem to make anything else work.”

Amanda leans her cheek against my hand. She still sounds amused when she says, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

At least I didn’t make it obvious that my recent attempts at being ultra romantic were actually failed proposals. That helps nurse my wounded pride a little bit. I’m still too impatient to wait for long but I’ll make it up to Amanda by throwing the most amazing wedding for her once our son is born.

Something thatscreamsromance.

With a swipe of my thumb to the soft skin beneath her eye, I drop down onto one knee. Then, I reach into the deep pocket of my white doctor’s coat and pull out the little black box that I’ve taken to carrying around.

Amanda gasps at the sight of it, her hands coming up to cover her mouth. “Jackson—”

“Amanda, I know that things have been hard. But you are the light of my life, and I can’t stand the thought of not having you in my life. I want to do right by you,” I tell her, opening the box and pulling out the ring. I’ve spared no expense on it, buying one with a glittering diamond and an engraved gold band.

Until Death, the inside of the band says.

Gently, I take her wrist and slide the ring on her finger. “Will you marry me, Amanda?”

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