Page 37 of Love Me Forever

"I'm going to guess this was unexpected."

"Yes. Was there a heartbeat?"

She shook her head. "It's far too early for any of that. At this point, we can't see the baby, just the amniotic sac, but it's definitely there. You can still have blood work, of course, to confirm it," she said as she took off the white latex gloves, throwing them in the bin next to the chair.

"But we used condoms," I said as she gestured for me to get up from the table. "And we didn’t have any accidents."

She smiled sympathetically. "I'm going to prescribe some prenatal vitamins. Do you want me to oversee your pregnancy, or do you have another doctor?"

I put my pants on quickly. "I have a doctor in Chicago. My employment here will only last for another three months, and then I'm going back there."

"You can simply forward the notes that I'll have for you today to your own doctor, and he or she can take care of it from there."

"Great." I was too stunned to add anything else.

I was pregnant. I was going to have a baby. A tiny little thing that was mine to love. Despite being 100 percent terrified, I was also happy. I listened as Dr. Steele told me what I should be careful with, what I had to give up. She assured me she’d write down all her findings from the examination so I could forward them to my doctor in Chicago.

After she dismissed me, I wandered aimlessly on the streets, not ready to go to work. I had to tell Travis. I couldn't postpone it any longer. I’d do blood work, too, because the doctor advised me to do it, but it didn't make any sense to wait.

I took out my phone, dialing his number before I lost my courage, and brought the phone to my ear. I wondered if he even remembered who I was? I tried to imagine his reaction.

My mind came up with several scenarios, but none included Travis changing his number. Instead of hearing his voice, a generic one informed me that the number didn't exist.

Chapter Ten

Bonnie

The next two weekswere some of the most intense in my life. I decided to transfer earlier and go back to Chicago—it was my home, after all. Luckily, they found a replacement quickly for me in Oceanwell Bay, and I handed over all my patients without any issues. I flew back to Chicago today, and tomorrow, I was going to the clinic, back to my furry patients.

“Does it feel strange to be back?” Ashley asked as we entered my apartment. She’d insisted on picking me up from the airport.

“Honestly, no. I’m glad I’m back.”

“So am I.” Ashley smiled warmly, hugging my right arm. “I’ve missed you. And I’m glad that I’ll get to see the nugget growing in your belly.”

That made me laugh. I usually said, “the baby,” but she decided that was too boring. She’d proclaimed herself the godmother of the nugget before I even asked her—which I would do anyway because she was my best friend and I loved her to the moon and back. Her fire-red hair was pulled up in a ponytail, revealing her freckles. She hated them, but I thought they were adorable.

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