Page 37 of Vegas Baby

The doctor sat down at a computer and clicked on the mouse; a pair of reading glasses perched on her pert nose. “When was the first day of your last period?”

Willing herself to remain in the moment, Raina blew out a breath and gave the doctor the date. Seven weeks seemed an eternity considering Veer’s wedding stayed foremost in her mind for a multitude of reasons, mainly because of her marriage to Howler.

“Any medications during the time between your last period and now?” Dr. Lopez asked.

Raina rubbed her finger along the edge of the glossy page, shame rushing to the fore at how low she’d actually sunk. “Just my birth control pills and a sleeping pill I took one night. I had a negative side effect and sleep walked. I also had alcohol but I’m not sure how much. And I forgot to take my birth control pill.” She’d discovered the mistake after the disastrous night with Howler. She wasn’t concerned because she hadn’t been sexually active and thought she’d corrected the blunder.

“Was it in the beginning or the end of the pack?”

“The first one after my period. I took it the next day, as soon as I realized I missed it.” One day too late.

Dr. Lopez’s brow rose, the flash of discovery jarring Raina’s even more. “Is that significant in some way? I mean, I took the pill, and then doubled up the next day.”

“Apparently it didn’t work,” Howler said under his breath, accusation in every syllable.

“The first pill has the most impact. If you had intercourse the night you missed the pill, there is a chance that’s when the pregnancy happened,” Dr. Lopez said.

“But we used a condom,” Raina interjected, glaring at Howler for his snide comment. She hadn’t been the only participant in this debacle.

He folded his arm over his chest and pressed his lips together, glancing away.

“We didn’t use a condom and you didn’t think to tell me this?” She pushed the words out of her tight throat, nausea having nothing to do with the churning in her stomach at the implications.

“We used several, but um, one broke. You were on the pill and insisted you didn’t care,” he said, cheeks reddening.

Dr. Lopez continued to type, either oblivious to their discussion, or jaded to it.

“I was drugged up by the sleeping pill and the pill doesn’t stop STDs, with your—” She bit back the retort, painfully aware of the doctor listening to their bickering.

“Go on, finish your sentence.” Fury blazed in the depths of his eyes and a tick formed in his jaw. The muscles of his shoulders beneath his suit strained the jacket’s seams.

“We’ll be doing a series of blood tests to check for STDs and any genetic abnormalities,” Dr. Lopez cut in.

“And paternity,” Raina said, crossing her own arms, daring him to contradict her. “We’re taking blood tests. We might as well get it out of the way.” Why hadn’t he told her about the condom? She’d had a right to know. He’d slept around by his own admission. How could he be so blasé about her health?

“In a few weeks, I’d like to schedule a nuchal translucency scan to test for abnormalities. We can do the paternity test then, along with some additional blood tests.” The words brought Raina out of her snit with Howler and into what really mattered, the baby growing inside of her.

“My office will put together a packet of information for you. In the meantime, any questions or concerns?”

A million and one but none she could answer for Raina. The uncertainty had nothing to do with the child but the father. He hadn’t lied to her about the condom but he hadn’t told her the truth either. Except you didn’t want any details. Raina longed to bury her head in the sand but she no longer had the luxury. Her future was forever tied with Howler’s whether she liked it or not. She had to do the best for the baby no matter her feelings for the father.

“I want to talk. Can we sit down?” Howler pointed to the hospital cafeteria, one thought uppermost on his mind. It was stupid, senseless, and downright unlike anything he’d ever imagined might happen. Except the idea had stuck in his head and he couldn’t let it go.

“Now you want to talk?” Raina bit out. She cut through double doors and stopped at the drink station. She was still mad about the condom, not his fault but it was irrelevant. He had something to say and he needed to say it. Jaw set in an unapproachable line, she pulled down two plastic cups and poured cucumber infused water into both, her jerky movements showing her annoyance.

Howler crossed his arms, equally irritated by the unfairness of her silent accusation. He hadn’t remembered that little titbit himself until the doctor started asking questions; many uncomfortable questions, each leading to this moment. The coward in him wanted to run far and run fast, except he couldn’t run from this.

Taking the water from her, he cut to the left in a desperate attempt to get away from a woman with a screaming infant. He took a gulp of water. That’s what his future looked like, only he couldn’t give the baby back or leave whenever he felt the urge. Trapped. He was trapped.

Raina placed her briefcase in one chair before sliding onto the other. She wore a fitted, high-necked purple dress, the lightweight material hugging her breasts. He averted his gaze from the distracting sight. A young couple walked by their table, the woman with her hand on a very rounded belly. Raina would look like that soon. Pregnant with his baby. Ready to give life to another human being, a child he’d helped create.

Howler sat across from her and leaning forward, he cradled the cup in his palms. Keep it together and spit it out. “What if we don’t get a divorce?” There he’d said it, the words that had been dogging him for days.

She snapped her head up, eyes widening. “What? Are you kidding me?”

Howler shook his head, wishing that were the case but he’d never been more serous in his life. Reaching into his pocket, he pulled out her wedding ring and set it on the table.

“You’re not joking.” Raina stared at the box, visibly swallowing. “You’re actually proposing?”

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