Page 43 of The CEO's Baby

“Turn your back or get out,” she said, feeling the flood of heat from the thought of undressing in front of Trace.

She had insisted the lights be off when they’d made love. She was so conscious of the scars that still glistened on her torso. She could not have him see her disrobe!

He stood still for so long she was afraid he wouldn’t move, then turned around, gazing at one of the charts on the wall depicting various stages of pregnancy.

Cath turned her back and quickly took off her clothes and donned the gown. It was silly on one hand to be so shy. They’d made love together for heaven’s sake. But it had been dark, and they’d been consumed by passion.

She hated the scarring and didn’t want Trace to have to see the network of fine lines that crisscrossed her body.

“Okay,” she said, sitting on the edge of the exam table.

He turned and sat on the visitor chair.

“We’re having this baby together,” Trace said.

“I’m having the baby, you’re just along for the ride,” she retorted.

The doctor knocked, waited a couple of seconds, then opened the door. Cath smiled nervously.

“Hello, Dr. Orsinger.”

“How are we doing today?” he asked.

He was surprised to see Trace.

Cath made introductions.

The doctor began his exam, asking her questions, especially about any pain in the abdomen area. When he was finished, he helped Cath sit back up, then looked at Trace.

“I’m sure Cath has told you about the high-risk factors of this pregnancy,”

Trace nodded.

“So far everything is going well. But as the uterus grows, stretches, the constricting scar tissue could interfere with normal development. That’s just one aspect. Her age is also a concern—it’s unusual to wait so long to become pregnant.”

He smiled at Cath.

“Not that you waited precisely. Still, things are looking better than I expected. Taper off the anti-nausea meds and see if you can hold your own without them. Call me at the first sign of abdominal pain or any tearing feeling.”

Cath nodded, hugging her happiness to her. Another week, little one, she thought, just another twenty-eight or so to go.

“Anything special she can do to minimize the danger?” Trace asked.

“Not at this point. If complications arise, we’ll deal with them at the time. I’m keeping careful watch. I know how much Cath wants this baby. Stop in at the nurse’s station and schedule an ultrasound for next week,” he said before bidding her goodbye.

Trace walked out with the doctor, giving Cath privacy to redress. She quickly put her clothes back on, checked her hair in the mirror and was ready to leave. She was a bit nervous to see Trace. The examine had been a bit more intimate than she expected. How had Trace fared? He never gave anything away if he didn’t wish to.

Trace was waiting in the reception area for Cath. He’d asked the doctor several questions after they left her in the exam room. He hadn’t liked all the answers. There was a strong possibility Cath couldn’t carry the baby to term.

For a moment he felt the same kind of helplessness he’d experienced when Cynthia took away Zach. There was nothing he could do.

This was worse, however. They were talking about a child’s very life. He wanted to throw money at the situation, buy a guarantee, but of course nature didn’t care.

When she came out he joined her at the front desk and checked his phone to verify he could attend the appointment time for the ultrasound. He’d been with Cynthia throughout her pregnancy, but she’d been young and healthy. Suddenly he understood Cath’s fears. There had to be something they could do to ensure the baby’s safety.

He was quiet as they walked to the car. He opened the door for her and watched her as she slid into the passenger seat. She was still slender. Dressed in her business attire, she looked professional and competent—hiding the anxiety over the pregnancy behind a serene facade.

Leaning in as she buckled her seat belt, he waited until she looked at him.

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