Page 9 of Spring UnVeiled
“Where’s your keys?”Evan asked with composure and compassion.
Gen looked around for her purse and suddenly realized that she must’ve left it in the car.So, where the hell were her keys?She looked down at her hand.Well, at least she had some functioning brain cells.
Evan grabbed the keys and tossed them to the lieutenant commander.“What are you driving?”
“No, I need my purse.My military ID card is in there.”
His aide was already heading out the door, clicking the door lock.
“I’ve got you covered.”He reached into his back pocket and pulled out his shiny ID card.His small smile was one of her favorites.“First time I’ve had to use it.Every time I pull it out from now on, I’ll think of this moment.”His smile broadened as his gaze moved from his daughter to Gen.
Rank had its privileges and Kylie was rolled immediately to labor and delivery.
“Well, who do we have here?”The cheerful nurse stood from behind the counter.“Have you pre-registered?”
Gen had no idea.Kylie hadn’t let her go to any of the doctor appointments.She’d insisted on doing everything herself.
“Yes, ma’am.”Out of her shoulder bag appeared a sheaf of papers that she handed to the nurse.
“Okay.Let’s get you settled in, and we’ll check your progress.”The Navy lieutenant smiled at the two of them.“Are either of you her birthing coach?”
“I am, but we never finished the classes,” Gen confessed.“I’m her mom.”
Hesitantly, the nurse looked at Evan.“Are you the father?”
“Yes, I’m her father,” He snapped, insulted.
The nurse looked a bit sheepish as she asked the question a different way.“Will the father of the baby be joining her?”
“No.”Her gaze swept to Evan.“Did she ever tell you who the father is?”
He cocked that sardonic eyebrow.“Really?”
“Will you be joining her for the delivery?”The nurse then asked him.
Gen held back her laugh.Her ex-husband looked like a deer in headlights.Feeling sorry for him, she explained, “He didn’t make it there for her birth and has no idea what to expect, so I’m not sure he wants to stay.”
Obviously, the woman had answered this question before.“We’ll ask you to stand up near her head to protect your daughter’s modesty.You can hold her hand, encourage her, help her breathe through the contractions.”She then gave him a knowing smile.“Or, you can join the other families in our waiting room.I’m sure Mom will come out on a regular basis and give you updates.Since this is her first baby, this might take a while.”Then she added, “Hours.”
He glanced around at the nearly full waiting room.“I think everybody would be more comfortable with me waiting in the room with my daughter.I’m sure you can find me a chair off in the corner where I’ll be out of the way but close enough if she needs me.”
The nurse glanced at the waiting room filled with junior officers and enlisted families.“I think that’s an excellent decision.If you’d like to wait in our galley until we have her situated in the room, there are sodas in the refrigerator and the coffee is decent.”
“Thank you, Lieutenant Sanders.We’d appreciate that.”Evan put his hand in the small of Gen’s back like he’d done a million times when they were married.It felt like coming home.Comfortable.She’d missed a man’s touch.
When the Navy nurse left, he headed straight for the coffee.“Shall I make you a cup?”
“Thank you.That would be nice.I take?—”
“One sugar and a splash of cream.”He glanced up at her.“Or has that changed?”
“No,” she whispered.He remembered.She wondered what else he remembered about her.
She remembered everything about him.The way he walked, holding his shoulders square, the determination in every step yet barely making a sound.He had a calm presence about him.Commanding, yes, and you immediately knew the quieter he was, the more dangerous he could be.
She sipped her coffee.“Perfect.”
“If you’ll follow me, please, sir, ma’am, your daughter is requesting your presence.”The woman in nursing scrubs turned before Gen could see either her name or rank.Once again, Evan’s hand was on the small of her back.They followed the woman past several closed doors.
