Page 13 of Against the Odds

I reach my hand out and place it atop of Katy’s where it rests on the table. We both relax at the connection. Knowing her best friend well, Katy was prepared with answers for a question just like that.

Before she can answer, Connor does it for us. “Honey, when a man and woman like each other, sometimes they kiss and then one thing leads—”

Felicity smacks Connor, stopping his teasing. That makes us all laugh. The tension evaporates with the laughter and we all feel lighter.

“Yes. Remember how Rachel insisted I had to go on that trip? Well I went, her friends got sick, and she dragged me to a club. Thankfully the guy she hooked up—or planned to hook up—with had Ian for a wingman. We hung out and then, well ya know.”

Katy lifts her hand and motions it to say, “and so on”. “Anyway, we didn’t exchange numbers—”

“Or even last names,” I interject.

Katy smiles at me and in this moment, as we tell our friends how we know one another and that we are in each other’s lives for a lifetime, I know it will all be okay.

And because Felicity and Connor were made for each other he says, “Well you sure exchanged something.”

ChapterTen

KATY

Although we have known each other less than a total of twenty-four hours, it doesn’t seem strange to be sitting with Ian in a room with stirrups on the table. At least for me. The same cannot be said for the man pacing the small room. To keep myself from laughing or teasing him, I bite the inside of my mouth.

“Are you okay?”

Wide eyed, he shakes his head in response. At least we’re in a doctor’s office in case he passes out. I must admit, I am a little worried if he’s this stressed at an impromptu appointment, he may not make it through the delivery.

Unless he doesn’t plan to be here. Just as the thought pierces my thoughts, the door opens and Addison pops her head in. Her eyes jump from me sitting on the table to Ian pacing, fingers laced behind his head as he takes deep breaths.

“Hey Addy,” I greet and motion her into the room. “Ian, this is my friend Addy.”

He comes to a stop and turns to look at us, confusion all over his face. The poor man has been lost in whatever is happening in his head that he seems confused that there are other people here.

“Nice to meet you, Ian. Everything okay, Katy?”

“Yep. Thanks for fitting us in. I know I’m not due for an appointment until next week, but I wanted Ian to see the baby.”

When I called her this morning, Addy was as blown away as I assume everyone will be to learn my child actually has a father. Well, of course there is a father, I’m not the Virgin Mary or anything, but I’ve not disclosed any details to my friends and, for the first time in all their lives, none of them pried. She was sweet and supportive when I gave her a quick rundown and promised to fit me in for an unscheduled ultrasound.

“Doc is with a family who seem to have rolled in poison ivy so if you’re okay with it, I’m going to work with you.”

“Of course. Ian is that okay with you?”

He’s not moved since Addy introduced herself so I have to call his name again. Shaking his head, it appears he’s come back to us and smiles.

“Sorry.” Ian takes a deep breath and exhales offering me a slight smile. “Whatever you’re comfortable with, Katy.”

Transforming from my friend to nurse, Addy directs Ian to pull the chair closer so he can see the screen and for me to lie back on the table. Taking Ian’s hand with my own, I squeeze it in reassurance. “It’s okay, just breathe.”

He laughs and looks down, shaking his head. “You must think I’m a total weirdo. This is just all so much. I feel overwhelmed and nervous and excited. Mostly excited.”

“Ian, Katy told me a little about your story this morning and I cannot imagine how overwhelming this is for you both. Today is a bonus appointment so you can see your little guy or gal. That’s all. Nothing scary.”

Her words seem to calm him and he visibly relaxes. For the first time since we arrived in the office, his shoulders aren’t up near his ears. Addy moves around the space, dimming the light and squirting the gel on my belly before placing the doppler to my skin. I turn my head to face the screen and like every ultrasound before, I tear up at the sight of our baby.

Of course the first two times I saw nothing even though I knew the blob on the screen was a baby. Now, I can make out features more clearly and the love I feel for someone I haven’t met is overwhelming.

“You still don’t want to know the sex?” Addy asks.

Turning my head, I open my mouth to ask Ian his thoughts when the sight before me steals my words. Ian is openly and freely crying. His tears are a steady flow and the smile on his face is full of awe and love.

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