Page 54 of Doctor Mile High
“Nice to meet you both. I look forward to meeting you when we get back.”
“You’ve been in the city the entire time?” Dad asks.
We both laugh, Winston’s fingers slipping up and down my arm.
“Yeah, we felt the same when we found out. I’d been looking for her ever since meeting her. I’m glad I have her now. I’m never going to let her go.”
“Good. That’s what I like to hear,” Dad states, taking a swig of water. “When you’re up for it, we’ll come visit you and have dinner.”
“Sounds great.” I smile. “I’ll send you guys a ton of photos of baby Winston. He’s perfect. He sleeps so much.”
“Enjoy it now.” Dad laughs and Mom snickers as if they know something I don’t.
“Okay, rest, honey. We’ll be here for you when you get home. Winston, it was lovely meeting you. Take care of our grandson, please. We can’t wait to meet him. Oh, I’m so happy,” Mom says as she begins to cry again and Dad chuckles, wrapping his arms around her to pull her close. “When will you be home?”
“In about five days,” Winston says. “I promise when we land and get home, I’ll give you my address so you can come see her.”
I wave goodbye. “I have one more call to make before I can take a nap. I have to call Hanson.”
“Okay, sweetie. Tell Hanson we said hello,” Dad says. “We love you and we are so glad you’re okay. Please, keep us up-to-date.”
“I will,” I say with a smile. “Promise.”
I stare at my phone, nervous to call Hanson. My stomach twists with anxiety.
“You’re worried about calling Hanson?” Winston asks, running his fingers through my hair. “Can I ask if you two have a past?”
I shake my head, my thumb hovering over the video call button next to Hanson’s name. “No. He’s been my best friend since high school. We’re very close, but we got into a fight before I left to come here. He didn’t want me to fly. He said I was being selfish and all I heard was that I was being a bad mother. He didn’t understand, because he comes from a very wealthy family. He has no idea what it’s like to work paycheck to paycheck to survive. He offered me the five thousand that Landon offered me to come here. It made me so angry because that’s what Hanson does. He throws money at all of his problems. He ended up being right, though. He had every reason to be worried.”
Winston takes my phone from me, pressing the video call button. “He did, but tell him I’m always going to protect you. You’re safe. I truly believe the world would have brought us together even if you weren’t on the plane. You’re meant to be mine, Dove, and I’ll never make you choose between me and your best friend, but I want to be crystal clear that I won’t tolerate him being disrespectful to you. Ever.”
“Hello?” Hanson’s voice comes through the speaker. “Dove? You there?”
Winston hands me the phone and I stare down at Hanson’s face on the screen.
“Hey, Hanson,” I smile. “I just wanted to call to let you know I’m okay. I know you saw the news and yes, you were right, I did go into labor.”
“Oh my god, Dove! Are you okay? Is the baby okay?” he asks, standing from his couch. “Where are you? Are you safe? Is the baby safe? Is someone with you? You aren’t alone, are you? Do you need me there? I’ll come?—”
“No, no. I’m okay. I promise. It’s been a rough few days, which is why I haven’t been able to message you back. I had to have surgery to stop the bleeding, but I’m okay,” I rush to say when I see him open his mouth to speak. “Really. I’m okay and no, I’m not alone. When I went into labor, a doctor was there and?—”
“Oh, good,” he groans in relief, hanging his head. “I’m so happy there was a medical professional there.”
“Me too. He saved my life and now I’m at the hotel. Resting. I’ll be home in a few days.”
“Did your mom fly out or something?” He tilts his head, confused.
“No, actually…” I clear my throat and peek at Winston who’s across the room talking on the phone to his parents. “The doctor who saved me was the man from Costa Rica, Hanson. Can you believe that? He ended up delivering his own son, and now he’s taking care of me. Us. Taking care of us. We’re together now, and I’m not working for Landon anymore. Isn’t that great? And look.” I turn the phone to baby Winston, showing Hanson how cute my son is. “Isn’t he beautiful? Even though he was a month early, he’s healthy. I can’t wait for you to meet him.”
“He’s amazing, Dove. Congratulations.” The relief and happiness fall from his face. “Listen, Dove. I’m so glad you’re okay and not alone. I can’t wait to see you two when you get back, but I need to go. I’ll text you later.”
“Hanson, please, I hate it when we fight. Can we talk?”
“I got to go, Dove. Stay safe.” The screen goes blank before I can say another word.
I drop my phone in my lap, pressing the heels of my palms against my eyes to do my best not to cry. I hate being on the outs with Hanson. It’s as if my entire world shifts on its axis.
“You want to meet her?” Winston cuts his eyes to me from the other side of the room. “I don’t know, Wyatt. She’s tired. She’s been through a lot.” He pauses and smiles. “I know, Waylon. I know I’ve never talked about any other women before. She is special. I would have to agree.”
