Page 2 of Doctor’s Surprise Twins

I cried too.

A nurse showed me one baby, then the other. Fraternal twins, one boy and one girl—just like the sonogram showed. They were perfect, and they had my father’s tiny button nose and amber eyes. I was in love. I watched as they wiped the babies off and put them in their tiny beds complete with heat lamps.

“Ms. Brock, we have to take the babies to the nursery to check their blood sugar and do a few metabolism tests. All routine stuff. Doc will sew you up, and Amber and Todd will wheel you back to your room. Your little guys will meet you there, okay?” Spindly nurse had a kind voice, and I felt fatigue setting in, so I nodded and smiled.

They wheeled the bassinets out as I let my eyes blink shut. I was almost dozing off when I heard him ask the dreaded question. I didn’t realize he was already done sewing me up. When I peeled my tired eyes open, he was seated next to me, hair net removed, face mask pulled down.

“When did this happen?”

Derek’s eyes pleaded with me not to lie to him, the same eyes that stared into mine time and again as he fucked me into oblivion. My heart fluttered. I still loved him. What I wouldn’t do to tell him these babies were his, that I wanted him to take me home and hold me until I felt whole again. To feel that passionate connection we had.

But I couldn’t ruin his career—or his friendship with my brother.

I mustered all of my energy and courage. “He’s not in the picture, Derek.”

I wanted to feel his hand graze the side of my cheek, push my hair out of my face. I wanted his lips to press against my forehead and hear him say my name the way only I could make him. My heart ached for the lie on my lips.

“The timing... I don’t see how...”

“I said he’s not in the picture, okay?” A whimper escaped me, and Derek grimaced. I was so tired, and suddenly shivering too.

“Todd!” Derek called out, and the door opened. “Thanks for giving us privacy. We need some warm blankets for Maggie now, and she would like to rest a bit. She is exhausted.”

Derek stood and peered down at me. I could see the pain and questions in his eyes, but his words remained unspoken. For that, I was grateful.

But later, when I was holding baby A—still unnamed—I noticed Derek staring at me through the window of my recovery room. His intense stare told me he wouldn’t give up easily. I thought I’d bought myself the time and space I needed by moving to Evansville five months ago. Apparently, I was wrong. I had no idea he would end up in the same town as me, nor why he was there.

I had to pull my eyes away from him and ask the nurse to shut the blind so I could try nursing the baby. Derek didn’t deserve to see that part of me. Not anymore.

CHAPTERONE

Derek – One Year Earlier

I had staredat those numbers countless times. Mom’s death almost four years ago had left me with a large inheritance—in the millions. Dad got his share, and my brother, Peter, got his too—though that was blown in less than eighteen months. I just had no clue what to do with mine. I wasn’t the sort of guy to flaunt my money. I wanted it to go to a worthy cause, not just make my life cushier.

Besides, having my own practice and being in line for the director of obstetrics position, I had a pretty great lifestyle. Even before Mom’s untimely death from thyroid disease which caused complications with her heart. At times, Peter would beg me for money back then, back before I knew better.

Just thinking of Mom saddened me. My father was a pastor of a huge church, one I had distanced myself from as soon as I left for college in California. The church taught that God’s provision would supply everything needed and that traditional medicine was a crutch for the weak in faith. Mom had refused to listen to me about treatment, and when she passed away, it was “God’s will to have another angel in His choir.”

That sentiment had destroyed my relationship with my father. And it had nearly destroyed my faith in humanity.

The computer screen stared back at me, infuriating me. It was the point to which I always arrived—indecision over how to use the funds that stirred grief-fueled anger. With a few clicks, I silenced the offending voice, but the damage was done. I should know better than to even open that account ledger and remind myself of the pain.

Barbra Forest, my HR lady and one fantastic baker of brownies, strolled past my office. It brightened my attitude a bit, and I popped out of my chair and dashed to my office door to catch her. When the door opened, she glanced over her shoulder with a smile.

“Doc, how’s it going today? Did you get a brownie? I made them with walnuts just the way you like them.” Barbra had a way of using baked goods to change the atmosphere of our office.

“I did, and it was delicious.” I strolled toward her office and peeked through the door to see someone seated in the chair opposite her desk. It was a woman with dark hair, her back to me. She wore a dark teal sweater, her hair swept to the side. The way she sat with near-perfect posture reminded me of someone I knew, but I couldn't put my finger on whom. I lingered there for a moment, trying to place the figure in my memory bank, but it was useless.

Barbra pulled the door shut and stepped away from it, folding open a file she held in her hands. “I’ve done seven interviews this week for our nutritionist position. There are a few promising candidates here.” She handed me the file, and I perused it, not recognizing any names. “My choice would be number two there—Steph Williams. She has experience and all the proper certifications. She’s also a fitness guru, teaches classes at the YMCA, so she is a great role model for our moms.”

I flipped through her resume, and I had to admit she did stand out as a very strong candidate. But more than having all the right credentials or experience, what this office needed was a great fit personality-wise. We had an amazing team assembled, and I didn’t want to throw a kink into our work atmosphere.

“What’s she like?” I eyed Barbra. She was a great judge of character, and she knew how I felt about the inner-office relationships. I didn’t want catty women who caused drama. Having a strong team meant having a strong practice. And so far, we’d been pretty lucky with building the perfect team. If only women were more like men and just punched it out when they had differences.

Barbra shrugged. “She could cause issues, but I’m not saying she would. She did give off that ‘drama queen’ vibe during the interview. She asked if it was always this cold in the office and then proceeded to put a sweater on. But she was by far my favorite of the group there. I have one more in my office now.”

Nodding, I handed her the files back. I trusted her opinion. “All right, let me know how this one goes. If she’s a good fit, then we can move on it. You don’t need my approval. Just let me know who it is. And be prepared to bake extra brownies if you don’t find a winner.”

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