Page 35 of Destined for Eternity
Cori had met the assistant once and thought she was nice enough. “What if labor goes fast and I can’t get here in time? My last child came in less than four hours.”
The biggest problem with having a vampire doctor was that their race couldn’t travel during the day, or they’d get burned by the sunlight. Paula was old enough that she only slept until about noon and could be alert after that, but she had to stay indoors and away from open windows. That was why her clinic was in the basement of her house. It was strongly recommended that Cori not let Bartol flash her anywhere since there was no way to know if it could affect the baby during labor. Paula had already been very insistent about that during previous visits. In fact, there was to be no flashing in the final two weeks before her due date.
“Heidi can come to you if it’s daytime, and if it’s night, I can come.” Paula moved to the side counter and opened a drawer, pulling out a pamphlet. “You received one of these early in your pregnancy, but here’s another copy just in case. It lists all the phone numbers to reach us, as well as tips on how to handle your labor until one of us can be with you.”
Cori couldn’t remember where she’d put hers, so she was glad to get another copy. She took it and put it in her purse. “Thanks. So you’re sure the baby is fine and everything?
“Yes, I am.” Paula put a reassuring hand on her arm. “Your child is very strong and has immortal blood running through their veins. Even if you deliver early, the complications would be minor if they exist at all.”
“If you’re sure…” Cori gave her a skeptical look. “I mean, maybe we could get a second opinion.”
She trusted Paula, but even for the vampire doctor, there was only so much she could do to prepare since she’d never delivered a baby like this before.
“You’re fine.”
Melena smiled reassuringly at Cori. “She’s not lying. She truly believes the baby is okay.”
The sensor was a walking lie detector, so if anyone would know, it would be her.
“Come back this time next week, and we’ll check the progress again,” Paula said, heading for the door.
“Do you think I should start coming more often?” Cori asked.
The doctor paused with her hand on the knob. “Not unless we think there’s a problem.”
“Okay.”
As soon as Paula left, Cori changed back into her maternity jeans and a t-shirt. They were much warmer and more comfortable than the gown. She normally had no problem with the cold, but something about doctor offices just made the chill sink into one’s bones.
“Come on,” Melena said, guiding Cori out of the exam room and down the basement hallway. “I’m going to take you shopping.”
“You don’t have to do that.”
The sensor made a humphing sound. “You refused to let me throw you a baby shower and your mother already decorated your child’s room, but that doesn’t mean I don’t get to do something as well.”
“I’m tired. It’s almost seven o’clock in the evening, and most stores will be closing soon,” Cori argued.
Melena nudged her up the stairs toward the main level of Paula’s home. “There’s still enough time to look at baby stuff and not think about any other problems.”
“And what if I want to talk about my problems?” If anyone understood what it was like to be in a relationship with a difficult immortal, it was Melena. Cori was tired, but she really felt the need to vent her frustrations.
“We’ll go to my house afterward, and you can tell me all about it over ice cream.”
“Alright,” Cori said as they stepped out of the house and into the evening sun. “I can’t pass up ice cream.”
“Of course not!”
***
Fairbanks, Alaska wasn’t exactly a shopping Mecca, so they only had a few stores to choose from that sold baby items. It didn’t take long to run through them all. Since Cori didn’t want to know the gender beforehand, they chose neutral outfits that could go either way. She had to admit getting out did help take her mind off her other problems, and no demons showed up during their trip, thankfully.
She waddled up the steps to Melena’s house. “I don’t remember pregnancy being this hard.”
“You’ve got a big baby in there. Of course, it’s tough.”
Cori stepped through the front door. “Can’t wait to see how it goes when you have babies.”
“Ha!” Melena laughed. “That won’t be anytime soon if I can help it.”
