Page 54 of Single Mom's Christmas Wish

“No,” she says. “It’s doctor-patient privilege at this point. You had to be informed first.”

“Can we keep it that way?”

“Of course.”

“Thank you.”

She analyzes my reaction carefully. Surely, I’m not the first expectant mother who would rather not be expecting. This just adds to an already existing and overwhelming amount of guilt over everything else. I’ve been keeping secrets from the Faulkner brothers already—the foreclosure, the inheritance. And now this. There’s no way I can talk to them about this, not now. Not with Christmas approaching so quickly and Archer aware of theinheritance.

“Is this your first child?” Jackie asks.

I shake my head. “No, I have a five-year-old daughter.”

“And how was that pregnancy?”

I fondly remember those months. They were the happiest of my life despite the growing discomfort. My Maisie was growing inside of me, listening to the muffled sound of my voice as I went about my day, trying to be a good wife to a man who was already inching one foot closer to the door. At the time, I had no idea life was going to throw a monkey wrench at me. I was just happy and eager to be a mom.

“Uneventful for the most part. Heartburn, but nothing that couldn’t be fixed with a gallon of mint tea,” I say, sighing deeply. “The birth was okay, too. No complications. The epidural took a tad longer to wear off, but that was about it.”

“That’s good to know,” Jackie replies. “Your blood tests look good. We’re waiting on another panel that should be ready by tomorrow, but my guess is you’re going to have some low values on several essential minerals, so I’ll need you to revisit your diet and get as many fruits and veggies in as you can. The doctor will also be prescribing a set of prenatal vitamins for you to take, starting today, so we can be sure you’re getting all the nutrients needed for a safe pregnancy.”

“Okay.”

“Your HCG levels are good and there was no bleeding, nothing to cause concern. The doctor will be in shortly to give you an ultrasound and see how it’s looking in there, okay?”

“Thank you, Jackie.”

“You’re most welcome, Dakota. I know that this can be a scary and confusing time, no matter how many kids you’ve already had. What do you want me to do about the Faulkner gentlemen and your sister?”

I give her a pleading look, my cheeks burning with shame. “Can you just… send them away? Tell them I’m okay, but I just need to rest.”

“Absolutely. Your health is our number-one priority.”

She nods once and promises to come back in an hour to check up on me, then leaves a few healthy snacks and a bottle of freshly squeezed orange juice on the tray table next to my bed, insisting that I eat all of it before she comes back.

I can’t getthe image out of my head. It’s been an hour since I watched that little nugget of life forming in my womb. The ultrasound came out well. The baby and I are fine. I just need to make sure we stay fine until my due date. Early summer, the doctor said.

I’m happy but also terrified.

Pride and fear have kept me from doing and saying important things.

It needs to stop.

Chelsea was right all along. I have been putting myself last, and it’s taking a toll on everything else. My phone buzzes. She’s on her way. Archer called her, but she couldn’t get over here until now since she had a house full of kiddos, my daughter included.

The door opens, and I’m about to tell Nurse Jackie that I don’t think I have room left for dinner tonight, but it’s Archer. Behind him, Reed and Maddox wait quietly and patiently.

“Hey, you,” Archer says. “Sorry to barge in.”

“It’s okay,” I exhale sharply. “I’m just starting to get my senses back. Thank you for bringing me here and for taking such good care of me, though I’m never going to be able to repay you.”

Reed pushes past Archer and comes to take me in his arms gingerly. “You scared us.”

Tears threaten to escape from my eyes as I melt into his embrace. I find warmth and reassurance in this man, but beneath it is a quiet layer of anger and dismay. I can almost feel it, and I can’t blame him. I’ve made a mess of things. All Callie did was shine a light on it.

“I’m okay, I promise,” I reply as Reed kisses me, and then takes a step back.

Archer comes over next, gently caressing my face. “What happened? The doctor wouldn’t tell us anything. And the nurse was even stingier with the intel.”

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