Page 60 of Possession

“Back downstairs.”

“Why?”

“Because you don’t need me here.”

“The hell I don’t!”

Lena sits on the edge of the bed and clasps one of my hands. She’s not a touchy-feely kind of person, so I figure whatever she’s going to say matters a lot to her.

“I’m going to tell you this whether or not you want to hear it, Megan. I may be new in my brother’s life, and yours for that matter, and while he may be many things, I know that he is in love with you in a way that some women can only dream of. If you keep this wall up you’ve built–”

“What, he may leave me?” I interrupt contemptuously.

“Yes, and is that what you want, Megan?”

My eyes water at the thought of not having Hunter in my life or our child’s life.

“I think you have your answer.”

Lena walks out as the doctor walks inside, leaving me with much to consider after her poignant words.

“Hi, Megan. I’m Dr. Brentwood. I heard you’ve been having some pain.”

“Debilitating pain,” Hunter adds. His voice was laced with concern. “And she fainted.”

“You have a regular physician at LA Mercy, right?”

“Yes, Dr. Lawson.”

“Oh, yes, I’ve heard of him. Would you like me to give him a call after your exam and keep him in the loop?”

Ugh, why does she have to be so nice?

“Yes, that would be helpful.”

“I’ve brought a portable sonogram machine with me. I want to have a look and make sure Baby Middleton isn’t in any distress.”

Baby Middleton?

Humph.

Hunter gives me a smug look after the doctor presumes my baby’s last name, which I do my best to ignore.

Dr. Brentwood takes her time listening to the baby’s heartbeat, then giving me a cautious vaginal examination. She’s slow, gentle, and perhaps slightly nervous because Hunter hasn’t moved an inch during the exam.

She pulls off her latex gloves and starts to pack up her things when Hunter abruptly asks, “So, what’s going on with my baby?”

“Nothing.”

“Really?” I say, part relieved, part surprised.

“In my professional opinion, you’ve been dealing with some Braxton Hicks contractions.”

“But I read that those were mild. These hurt like hell.”

“Every woman is different, but I assure you that the baby is not in any distress, and it’s just the way your body is preparing for childbirth.”

“She fainted,” Hunter adds.

---