Page 34 of Always Yours

She looks at me guiltily. “Don’t say you’re sorry. You’ve been great, Austin. This is all me.”

I tweak her nose. “You’re just sexually frustrated. So am I. I get it.”

She doesn’t deny it. When the nurse comes to get us, we walk down the hallway, hand in hand. When we get to the office and take our seats, it’s obvious the two doctors have been reviewing the results and talking about the plan.

“How’s Ally and our daughter?”

I’m blunt and to the point. Ally squeezes my hand, but I’m not interested in waiting any longer.

Dr. Parks nods. “Right. Well, Ally, your blood pressure has improved. The meds are helping. Your urine test improved greatly from two weeks ago. All in all, your numbers look good.”

I can tell by the way they’re looking there’s more. “But?” I ask them, dreading the answer.

“Well, Dr. Reynolds and I conferred, and we both agree that it’s in the best interest of the baby and you, Ally, if you take the remainder of your pregnancy off of work. If you had a desk job or even a job where you weren’t on your feet all the time, then it would be fine, but with your occupation, that’s not a possibility.”

I look at Ally, waiting for her to deny them and then I’ll have to intervene, but she surprises me when she nods her head. “If you think that’s what’s best, that’s what I’ll do.”

She’s not happy about it, and I knew she wouldn’t be. She’s so independent, and I know it’s killing her right now. Her face screws into a scowl. “Do I have to stay in bed all the time?”

They are both shaking their heads, but it’s Dr. Reynolds that answers. “No, you don’t. You’ll have to monitor your blood pressure. If there are any spikes or any changes at all, you need to come to our office and be seen immediately. If it gets high again, you will be put on bed rest until after the baby comes.”

She gulps. “Okay.”

But Dr. Reynolds isn’t finished. “I don’t want to scare you, but this doesn’t mean you can just go back to the activity level you were at before. You can get up and go out, but you have to get plenty of rest. I really want you to understand that at the point you’re at in your pregnancy, rest and no stress is the most important thing.”

She nods her head. “I got it. I promise. I’m going to take care of myself and the baby.”

I reach over and squeeze her hand.

“Okay.” Dr. Parker stands up. “Do you have any other questions or concerns?”

Ally nods and doesn’t even blink when she asks him, “Yeah, I have one. Can I have sex?”

Dr. Parks nods. “Yes, sex is actually a good way to relieve stress. Nothing crazy, but yes, sex is fine.”

He goes on to answer her question in detail, but it’s all a blur to me. All I know is that we’ve been given the green light. I’m finally going to have Ally how I’ve always wanted her. She’s going to be mine in every sense of the word.

Chapter19

Ally

Austin and I are quiet the whole way home. At first, I wonder if I overstepped by asking the doctor if it was okay to have sex. Of course, I was thinking of Austin, and for just a brief second, I wonder if he’s changed his mind. But then I remember the way he held me and the way he made me feel, and I know I’m not wrong about this. Austin wants me, and if I get my way, he’s going to have me.

He pulls into the garage, and I step out of the car. Austin is waiting on me at the front of the car. I avoid his gaze because I know he’ll see the blush on my cheeks.

I walk past him, kicking my shoes off at the front door.

I get two steps and Austin reaches for my hand, pulling me to a stop. He turns me and pulls me against his chest. I land with a thud, and he encircles his arms around me. “Do you want to talk about the doctor appointment?”

I blink up at him. “What about it?”

He smiles as he brushes my hair back and tucks it behind my ear. “About how you asked if you could have sex.”

My mouth falls open. “Oh yeah, that.”

He leans his head against mine. “Yeah, that. You can’t say something like that and then expect me to forget about it.”

I don’t answer him, and he weighs me with a look. “Unless you’ve changed your mind.”

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