Page 32 of Bad Teacher

“I want to see a doctor when I’m back to remove my IUD and see what happens from there. There’s a chance the baby won’t make it,” she said, chastising herself for internet searches.

Lara hugged her. “I can go with you.”

Violet soaked in her friend’s embrace for a moment. Then, she withdrew. “I know. You’re wonderful. But I promised Theo he could go with me—he wants to be involved.”

“What are you going to do about him?”

Violet shuffled her weight from one foot to the other. She skimmed the lobby again, to make sure her kids didn’t sneak in and eavesdrop on her conversation. But all she saw was a good number of tourists checking in or talking to the concierge in the lavish reception. “I don’t know. He’s now a permanent fixture in my life.”

“Was he an ass when you told him the news?”

“No, he was surprised, of course. That’s natural. But once he got over that, he wanted to help. He even proposed marriage.”

Lara’s eyes widened. “He asked you to marry him?”

Violet waved her off. “He meant it as a practicality.”

“Oh.”

Violet shrugged. Her female ego had gotten a hit, and it still ached when she remembered how he’d listed the reasons why they should tie the knot. “He doesn’t love me. I can’t marry someone because it’s logistically easier.”

Lara stroked her arm, soothing her. “I totally understand, honey. Count on me for whatever you need, okay?”

“Thanks. I will.”

* * *

“How is she?”Theo asked to the nurse who had checked in Violet.

“She’s fine. She said you can come in with her if you’d like.”

“Yes.” He stood, and quickly followed the nurse with strides so long he almost walked in front of her. He’d given Violet the chance to put on a gown and greet the doctor by herself—he wanted to be there for the procedure, but from their talk two days ago in Vegas, he’d learned he couldn’t pressure her. So patience was a virtue he’d have to master after all.

Or maybe just pretending to be patient. Inside, his gut clenched and nerve endings burned in affliction. What if something happened to the baby or to her?

He found her laying on the bed, with a gown cover her.

The doctor, a brunette woman in her forties, shook his hand. “Nice to meet you, I’m Dr. Gilbert.”

“Nice to meet you,” he said, then took a seat next to Violet.

“We’ll do an ultrasound first and then determine our plan of action,” Dr. Gilbert said. “All good?” She flashed him an encouraging smile.

Maybe because his color had drained from his face. He nodded, and lifted his hand to hold Violet’s. She stared at him, and he’d have given money to read the emotion in her blue eyes. Fear? Anticipation? Whatever it was, it matched the concern washing over her expression.

The doctor grabbed the device and it disappeared between her legs. A second later, she pointed at the back and white screen. “Good news. The IUD hasn’t interfered with the pregnancy, so we can remove it and since you’re in the very early stage, you should be fine.”

“Really?” Violet asked the doctor, but squeezed his hand.

“Yes. It shouldn’t hurt. Are you ready?”

“Yes.”

The doctor grabbed a couple of materials he didn’t recognize and once again her hands disappeared between her legs. Violet clasped his hand again, creasing her eyes and contracting in pain.

“Almost done,” said Dr. Gilbert.

“You’re doing great, mon amour,” he whispered. “I’m here with you, Violet.” He kissed her cheek, the contact a little bit more than a brush on her skin. “I’m here,” he repeated in a low voice.

---