Page 80 of Sinful in Scrubs

She lifted her brows at me. “Almost like I planned it. More like I love you and can’t wait to see the world with you.”

37

EPILOGUE: EMMA

Ayear later…

Life settled into a happy, chaotic rhythm. Baseball games, family dinners, and the kind of love that felt like the kind of home and family I had only ever dreamed of.

I cradled the baby in one arm while balancing the phone against my ear. I adjusted her bonnet to get more shade over her face. We were at Jason’s big baseball game. Sitting in the direct sun was just part of the experience. But I still didn’t want her baby skin to be too exposed.

“I understand what you’re saying,” I said into my cell. “But I’m at a baseball game right now. And while this is fantastic news, there’s nothing I can really do about it at the moment.”

A crack echoed through the stadium as the batter’s swing connected with the ball. Cheers erupted around me.

“I’m at my son’s baseball game, so I can’t get that study to you right now,” I continued. “If you can wait a couple of hours, I’ll send the information over as soon as I get home. It’s the playoffs.”

“You’ve been working toward this for an entire year,” the head of the board said over the line. “And you’re going to put it off for a Little League game?”

“Not a Little League game—the playoffs,” I corrected. “And you’re right, I have been working toward this for a year, which means you’ve had plenty of time to respond prior to today. While this is excellent news, I’m in the middle of spending time with my family. I’d think that’s something you, of all people, would understand. After all, didn’t you go on and on about how our new pediatric unit was going to be the backbone of our core family values?”

He mumbled an agreement and reminded me to promise to email him as soon as I was at my computer. I shook my head and ended the call.

Just then, my phone rang again. I sighed, shifting the baby to my other arm as I checked the caller ID. James.

“Is everything okay?” I asked.

“I can’t find copies of the presentation you gave last week,” James said. “The board wants them.”

“I’m at a baseball game. Not at work,” I reminded him.

“I know, but the president of the board is asking for details on the new trauma ward.”

“I just got off the phone with him. I can’t believe he turned right around and began pestering you. James, whatever he’s asking, it’s not that important right this second,” I said. “They already approved the construction last month. Besides, I’ve already told him I would send the files over after I got home and had computer access.”

“You know how it is,” James replied. “He’s probably talking to someone who wants the information right now.”

“Well, ‘immediate’ isn’t in my vocabulary at the moment,” I said. “He should have kept better track of the files when they were sent to his office months ago. I promise I’ll send it as soon as I get home.”

Another crack of the bat. Another roar from the stands.

“I’ve got to go,” I said quickly. “I’m missing the good stuff.”

“Just get it to me when you can,” James said before hanging up.

Marcus leaned over and scooped the baby from my arms. “What was that about?”

I sighed. “Something about the president of the board wanting to show off the pediatric trauma unit plans. And apparently, everyone who was given copies has managed to lose them, so everyone is after me to send the files out.”

“You’re at a baseball game,” Marcus said with a chuckle. “But those plans are impressive. I bet they want to show them off.”

“They are impressive,” I admitted. “And if this were my hospital, I’d be showing them off too. Having a dedicated pediatric trauma unit is almost as good as having an on-site children’s hospital. It’s going to make a huge difference for our patients.”

Marcus leaned in and kissed me. “You should be excited. You spearheaded this entire program.”

I smiled, but before I could respond, Lily scooped the baby from Marcus’s arms.

“You’re going to traumatize my sister with all that PDA,” she announced.

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