“Yes, we’ve started those,” I say. Two sets of eyebrows are raised in my direction. Isabelle rolls her lips, hiding her laugh before answering the doctor herself.
“Yes,I’mtaking the vitamins.”
“Excellent. Well, that’s all I need for today.” Dr Reeves reaches under the monitor and pulls out a set of photographs, handing them to me. “When you leave, you can schedule your next appointment for your twelve-week scan.”
“Thank you so much,” I say in a daze as I look down at the photos of our baby. Emotions threaten to spill from my eyes.My baby buttercup.I stand from my chair, quickly shoving my crutches under my arms before helping Isabelle off the table.
“It was a pleasure to meet you both. Remember, call the office if you have any questions.”
“We will.” I nod as I follow Isabelle out of the room.
“Can I see?” She holds her hand out, reaching for the photos.
I stop in the middle of the hallway, handing her the photos. I lean back against the wall so I can pull her back into my chest. Wrapping my arms around her middle, my hands splay over her stomach as I look over her shoulder.
“How are you doing?” she says softly up at me.
As I stare down into her bright blue eyes, warmth wraps around my heart. “Never better.”
***
My fingers tap against my leg as I help Isabelle hop out of my ute. I hate the fact that I can’t drive her around, but I won’t deny how hot I find watching her drive a stick shift. There was no way I was squeezing my body into her tiny car, so she’s been driving my new car around the past week whenever we’ve been out together. I could have had my old one fixed—it wasn’t a complete write off from the accident—but I didn’t want the memories.
I take in the older-style, white brick home in front of me. There’s a green gable roof, with matching shutters open on the front window. Pink roses are planted along a white picket fence, and a trellis of ivy grows up the front wall of the house.
“What are your parents’ names again?” I ask, for probably the third time.
“Jennie and Joe.” Isabelle beams up at me as she rubs my stomach up and down in an attempt to settle my nerves. “Don’t worry. They’ll love you. Dad might give you a hard time, but don’t take him too literally.”
My tongue flicks uncontrollably over my lip ring.
“Grim.” Isabelle places a hand on either side of my cheeks, pulling me down and pressing her soft, warm lips against mine.
I feel my stomach settle with the contact, humming as my body melts into hers. She pulls back before I’m ready. “It’ll be fine. Trust me.”
I nod as she leads us to the front door, not bothering to knock before she steps inside.
“We’re here!” Isabelle calls.
We move down the pale blue hallway, one side filled with family photographs. I try to stop and take them in, but a gruff male voice interrupts us.
“Hi, cherub.”
A guy stands from an armchair and walks over to us, sizing me up as he crosses the room. He’s got a thick salt-and-pepper beard, but no hair on his head. His grey and blue checkered shirt is rolled up his forearms, and there’s a big tattoo on one side. I can make out enough letters to figure out that it’s the names of Isabelle and her sisters.
“Hi, Dad.” Isabelle reaches up on her toes to kiss his cheek, while his eyes feel like they’re burning a hole through my head.
I offer my hand. “It’s nice to meet you, sir. I’m Gage.”
Isabelle smacks his stomach with the back of her hand, and he slowly takes my hand in his, squeezing just enough to let me know he won’t be won over easily.
“We were happy to hear you were alright after the accident.” Joe gestures to my crutches, then mutters under his breath, “Not too happy you ghosted my baby.”
“I wasn’t happy with myself about that either, sir. I’m lucky that Isabelle has a forgiving heart and was willing to accept my apology for being an arse.”
He harrumphs and crosses his arms over his big belly.
“I do hope you’re remembering your manners, Joe Asher.”
