Page 63 of The Baby Twist
“I’m sorry, Jenna. I’m so sorry.”
“Don’t, Lucas. You can see I’m fine, so go back to the office.”
“Nah. You’re not getting rid of me that easy. I’m staying here whether you like it or not.”
“No. I don’t want you to stay out of obligation.”
“It’s not. I’m staying because I want to be here with you. I’m not leaving you or our baby’s side.”
“Your father is flying in tomorrow.”
“Actually, he’s flying in tonight and will be in the office tomorrow. It’s probably best I’m not there anyway.”
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Lucas
The feeling I felt when I walked in and saw that man holding Jenna’s hand was something I’d never felt before. It was a type of rage different from what I usually experienced. My first instinct was to rip him away from her and knock him to the ground. Good thing I didn’t. I was grateful to him for helping Jenna and staying with her, so she wasn’t alone. He was more of a man than I had been.
Seeing Jenna lying in that bed with the cut on her head and hooked up to machines frightened me. The fear of losing her finally hit me, rattling me to my core. They took her up to the OB unit so they could monitor her and the baby. The hospital called her OB/GYN, and she would come to check on Jenna later in the evening.
“Hi, Jenna.” A middle-aged woman with long brown hair walked into the room. “I’m Melissa, and I’ll be taking care of you for the rest of the afternoon and evening,” she said as she wrote her name on the whiteboard on the wall. “And you are?” She glanced at me.
“Lucas. I’m the baby’s father.”
“Nice to meet you, Lucas. I’m going to take your vitals, Jenna. When was the last time you ate?”
“I had breakfast this morning.”
“Well, that’s not gonna do. We need to get some food in your belly for you and the baby. There’s a menu right over there. Find something that sounds good, pick up the phone, and place your order. If you want my honest opinion, I’d have this handsome man here go get you something. The food here sucks.”
“I can do that,” I said.
“Vitals look good, and your blood pressure is almost normal.” Melissa smiled. “If you need anything, just push this button right here.”
As soon as Melissa walked out, I pulled my phone from my pocket.
“What do you feel like? I can have it here in a flash.”
“Thai sounds good.”
“Thai it is. There’s a Thai place right down the street. What do you want so I can call it in?”
“Pad Thai with chicken. Make sure it’s mild. Order a couple of spring rolls too.”
After I placed the order, I set my phone down and placed my hand on hers.
“They said about fifteen minutes.”
“Okay. If you don’t mind, I’m just going to close my eyes until the food gets here.”
“Not at all.” I kissed her forehead.
I sat in the chair and watched her as she closed her eyes while the steady sounds of our baby’s heartbeat galloped in the background. She was almost seven months pregnant, and today was the first time I’d heard it. The fact that this was the first time hit me like a ton of bricks. What kind of father was I?
My phone started to buzz, and when I picked it up, I saw it was my father calling. Stepping out into the hallway, I answered it.
“Hello, Dad.”
