Page 71 of 5+Us Makes Seven

“Uh oh.”

“If you want to still feel connected to a non-profit, then I can get you a job somewhere. I can help you find something,” she said.

“That’s very kind of you, but the board overseeing the projects in Africa actually offered me a job if I wanted to take it.”

“Oh, then that’s awesome!”

“It is, but I’m not sure if I’ll be able to take it. It requires me in the office three times a week as well as my presence at fundraisers that are thrown. And with this pregnancy already beating me down, I’m not sure I’ll be able to handle it. I don’t want to say ‘yes’ and then have things get worse.”

“Then hold off for a few days to make the decision. You didn’t tell them you’d have an answer for them immediately, did you?”

“No. I told them it would take me a few days to get settled before I had an answer.”

“Then hold fast to what you told them,” she said. “Take the few days. Get through this doctor’s appointment. Talk to Carter about it and see what he thinks. Then, make a decision and let them know.”

“Okay. I can do that,” I said.

“Natasha?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m really excited for you,” she said with a smile.

“When I stop thinking about all of the other moving pieces, I’m actually really excited too,” I said.

I finished up my lunch with Emma before I felt a hand fall onto my shoulder. I looked up and saw Carter smiling down at me and I jumped up to hug him. He held me close and chuckled into my ear before he reached his hand out to Emma. I introduced the two formally and let them talk for a little bit, then it was time to go to the appointment.

I hugged Emma one last time before Carter escorted me out the door. He helped me into my side of the car, then the two of us zoomed off to the appointment. I reached over and took his hand, my body shaking with nervousness. I wasn’t sure what to expect at this appointment, but I knew something wasn’t quite right.

“It’s going

to be okay,” Carter said. “I know you’re nervous.”

“I just don’t feel right,” I said.

“Then we won’t leave the office until we figure out why,” he said.

He held my hand tightly as we walked into the doctor’s office. Instead of sitting in the waiting room, we went straight back. There was a private room off in the corner where the doctor was already waiting for us, and Carter shut the door as I stood in the middle of the room.

“Carter, nice to see you again. Congratulations,” the doctor said.

“Thanks. And thank you for meeting us on such short notice,” Carter said.

“Hi,” I said.

“You must be Miss Lewis,” the doctor said. “I’m Doctor Grayson Bernhardt.”

“It’s nice to meet you, Dr. Bernhardt. Do you, uh… know Carter personally?”

“I personally delivered Carter’s other children,” he said.

“Oh, so then you know one another very well,” I said.

“And I trust him with any circumstance,” Carter said.

“I hear you’ve been in Africa for the past two months,” the doctor said.

“I have, yes.”

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