Page 65 of The Unforgiven
Kathy took Quinn’s arm and led her back inside and over to a table where Seth was sitting with Brett. The dinner was buffet-style, since Seth didn’t want his guests to be limited to just one delicacy, and Seth and Brett already had full plates.
“Seth, get Quinn something to eat. Nothing too spicy,” Kathy said, her tone brooking no argument. “And Brett, ask one of the waiters for a bottle of mineral water and a glass of ice.”
“Is everything all right?” Seth demanded, his protective paternal instincts kicking in.
“Everything is just fine. Quinn’s feeling a little lightheaded. It’s not uncommon in pregnant women.” Kathy took a seat next to Quinn and patted her hand. “You’ll feel much better once you’ve eaten. In fact, you’ll feel well enough to dance with Seth. I know he’s been looking forward to having a dance with you since he won’t get to have a father-daughter dance at your wedding.”
“I wish I could invite him, but…”
“It’s complicated. I know. My mom remarried when I was two. Both my dads were at my wedding, and both wanted to walk me down the aisle and have the father-daughter dance with me,” Kathy said, smiling at the memory.
“So, what did you do?”
“I had both of them walk me down, and then my stepdad cut in halfway through the dance. It made them happy and kept the peace.”
“I think it might be more complicated than that, given my birth parents’ history.”
“Yes, Seth told me. Don’t worry about him. He’s a big boy. It’s your big day and you should do whatever you’re comfortable with,” Kathy advised. “To be honest, if I had to do it all over again, I would talk Seth into running off to the Caribbean and getting married on some beautiful beach. Big weddings are overrated.”
“So you would still have married Seth?” Quinn asked, smiling at Kathy.
Kathy laughed, as though realizing what she’d said. “You know, I would. But I would have done things differently, and I’m sure so would he. We were happy for a long time, until we weren’t. I wouldn’t have been so selfish about having more kids. Seth begged me to have another baby, but I refused. My career came first, and I paid the price with my marriage. But hindsight is twenty-twenty, as they say.”
“So I hear,” Quinn agreed, making a mental note never to start taking Gabe for granted or ignoring his needs. If he wanted to have more children, she’d never deny him, unless he planned to have enough kids to start his own football team.
“I’m coming with you,” Seth announced once they disembarked theNatchezand Kathy informed him she was taking Quinn to see her friend.
“There’s really no need, Seth. We’ll be just fine, and I’ll see Quinn back to her hotel,” Kathy said.
“But I’m worried,” Seth persisted.
“And I will text you as soon as I know anything,” Kathy replied firmly. “Now, take Brett home. He doesn’t have a ride. I’ll talk to you later.”
Seth looked like a dejected puppy, but didn’t argue. He kissed Quinn’s cheek and went in search of Brett, who was chatting up some girls who’d been on the cruise with their parents. Kathy got her car and drove Quinn the short distance to the medical center.
“Page Dr. Glahn, please,” Kathy told the woman at reception.
A few minutes later, a slight woman with a pixie cut and fashionable specs came down to reception. She smiled at Quinn and held out her hand. “Annette Glahn. It’s a pleasure to meet you. How was the party?” she asked conversationally as they got into the elevator.
“Oh, you know, typical Seth,” Kathy replied with a chuckle. “Always throwing money around and showing up his friends. He did seem genuinely happy though. I haven’t seen him like that in a long time. Quinn has brought out his emotional side, something Brett was never able to do.”
“The father-daughter dynamic is always different,” Dr. Glahn replied. “Men want sons, but dote on daughters. My dad was hard on my brothers, but I could do no wrong in his eyes,” she added with an impish grin. “I’m in my forties, but I’m still his baby girl. How is it for you, Quinn, meeting your father at this stage of your life?” the doctor asked as she led them to a vacant examining room.
“It’s a bit strange, but I’m glad to have the chance to get to know my father after all these years.”
Dr. Glahn patted the examination table, inviting Quinn to sit. She chatted amiably while she took Quinn’s blood pressure, listened to her heart and lungs, and palpated her stomach.
“Fill this for me please,” she said, handing Quinn a plastic cup. “I need to check for protein in your urine.”
Quinn did as she was told and returned to the room. She hadn’t noticed any signs of alarm in the doctor, and began to relax. Maybe she was just being a worrywart.
“Have you had a sonogram recently?” the doctor asked.
“I had a scan about a month ago,” Quinn replied. “Everything was fine then,” she added, her apprehension returning.
“Everything looks fine now as well, but we can do a sonogram just to put your mind at rest. Lift up your dress for me.”
The doctor squirted some clear gel onto Quinn’s stomach and sat next to her, probe in hand. She turned the screen toward Quinn and began to move the probe around gently on her stomach. Quinn exhaled in relief when she heard the whoosh of the baby’s heartbeat.
