I graciously arranged to see them on Sunday at noon, biting my tongue when the urge to ask if Billy was coming hit me. I’d hoped the Sunday visit would be private and something my movie star wanted to attend.
My movie star…I shook my head at myself.
Over the last few weeks, I’d found myself acting like a college-aged fangirl. When I wasn’t delivering babies or consulting on high-risk births, I’d occasionally check Google for pictures and wonder who Billy was dating. Late at night, I’d watch her movies, deciding she was at her best in more mature roles. She embodied class and being able to slip into a role seamlessly.
Sadly, I’d spent a good bit of time rewinding her scenes inSuper Lady, where she sounded sexy as fuck using a French accent and looked stunning as a brunette librarian. Of course, I had my own copy of the movie courtesy of Ford even though it was still going strong in theaters. Who was I to turn down one tiny perk?
This morning, as I rode my bike around Mt. Vernon, I decided to spend the day in the office. Partly to prep for the week, but mostly to occupy my mind before tomorrow’s visit. It was late June and we’d been gifted balmy summer weather. Now as the skies opened a bit outside my office window, I sat down at my desk to look at some mail. Abigail, my office manager, typically opened all the mail except those items markedpersonal. Occasionally I received a thank-you from a family or an invite to a medical school gathering. My personal copy ofSuper Ladywas my most exciting mail to date. It came via courier, sending the office staff into a frenzy. I had to promise to play it in the break room later in the week.
Of course, the whole staff had been briefed on the delicate nature of treating Laura and Ford and Jamie, the notoriety that came with it, and the privacy expected. Especially when it came to Billy Conway coming to the office.
Abigail mentioned the next time one of our staff saw Billy to please invite her to the break room or my office, offer her a drink, and allow her to be discreet. I thanked Abigail and she winked, later whispering, “I got you, Doc.” I had no idea what she was getting at, but it certainly wasn’t Billy and me.
Now, I sifted through a few envelopes, setting aside an invitation to hear an old colleague speak on the advancements in IVF at Stanford in January.
Underneath the pile of mail was a large envelope markedPERSONALin bold capitalization. The return address was from California, and I wondered what Ford had sent now. I pulled on the open tab and reached my hand inside, finding a photo and another small envelope.
Turning the eight-by-ten photo in my hand it revealed an autographed picture from the set ofSuper Lady. There was Billy in her sexy-as-hell glasses, holding books in front of the library where she worked in the movie. The inscription said:To the kind Doc, xoxo, Billy C.
I had no idea why she sent this to me. Did someone tell her I was a fan?Oh right, me…
Ripping open the envelope, I found a few tickets and a letter.
Handling the tickets with care, I read the front. They were VIP passes to a local theater for the opening ofThe Tide, which I knew was Billy’s latest drama role.
I fingered the letter, opening it from the trifold and laying it in front of me. All of this felt like a dream sequence in an old-fashioned movie, except it was my life.
Dear Dr. Rand (Cal)-
Pardon the letter through snail mail. You can take the girl out of prep school, but you can’t take the prep school out of the girl. I wasn’t sure how to thank you for your kindness and generosity when I last saw you. While it may not have seemed like a lot to you, being kept from the media’s scrutiny means the world to me. Thank you for your discretion and the comfort of your office while taking care of my soon-to-be niece or nephew.
I know you know the sex, but Jamie is being stubborn in wanting to be surprised.
As a way of saying thanks I wasn’t sure what to send, so here are a few passes to my upcoming movie. If it’s not your genre, feel free to send them along to someone who may enjoy it.
I’m so grateful Ford and Jamie have included me in this adventure. This new little baby will be the breath of fresh air this family needs, and I’m lucky they found you to watch over Laura. Ford said you are the best in the area.
Until I see you next, hope you’re well.
xoxo,
Billy C.
With the picture hung in the corner of my office next to the photo of myself with a famous rapper and his wife, and the tickets tucked in my desk drawer, I waited for Laura and the Conways the next morning. Abigail came in to work behind the desk and she’d asked one of the nurses, Cassie, to come in too. Cassie and I waited in the exam room as Abigail went to the rear entrance of the hospital to meet the crew. Apparently, Ford and Jamie were bringing Laura with them. Something about breakfast first—I forgot all the details involved the moment the gang stepped into the exam room, Billy the last one to file in.
“Doc,” Ford greeted me, shaking my hand.
“Laura,” I said to my actual patient, remembering I was a physician.
She smiled and took Jamie’s hand before sitting on the exam table.
Billy sat in the chair by the window and smiled sheepishly at me.
“We shouldn’t have to do anything invasive today,” I said, quickly looking at Billy, and then went about the exam.
The appointment passed in a blur of happy tears and excitement over another hearing of the heartbeat through the external doppler.
Laura hugged Jamie, Jamie hugged Ford, and Billy’s eyes welled up after we finished listening to several minutes of whooshing. To be honest, seeing parents hear that sound for the first time got me at every stint.
