She manages less than half a piece before she hands me the plate. It’s not enough, but it’s something. I slide it onto thecoffee table and then I pull her against me, adjusting the blanket around her so she’s covered.
Her head rests on my shoulder like she’s too exhausted to hold it up. “You alright, princess?”
“I’m tired,” she admits.
I kiss her temple. “Rest. I’ll wake you when the doctor arrives.”
Mia makes a sleepy sound. “Okay.” She yawns, nestling against me. “I’m tired, but I’m so happy I could explode with it.”
Fuck. She has no idea what she does to me when she’s soft and sweet like this. “Yeah?”
“You’re going to be such a good dad.”
My throat tightens. “You’re killing me, Mia.”
She hums. “Sorry.”
I sit with her while she sleeps. She’s resting. I’m not. My mind is in overdrive. I send a message to Theo, asking him to arrange more security for my wife and bring in an additional bodyguard for her. His team is solid, and I trust Theo to bring someone in who will be good at their job.
Then I message Diane. All of Mia’s meals need to be pregnancy safe and high in whatever nutrients she needs to grow a healthy baby.
I order a bunch of supplements, ginger chews, and a few loungewear sets that cost a kidney. They’re hypoallergenic and soft. She’ll love them.
I’ve just finished paying when the intercom notification pings on my phone. It’s Dr. Patel.
Gently, I slip out from under Mia and go to the door. When I open it, Dr. Patel gives me a warm smile. “Mr. Rivers. It’s good to see you again.”
“Come in.” I step back to let her inside.
Dr. Patel looks far more put together than I do right now. Her hair is clipped back from her face, her blouse perfectly tailored toher body and her heels click on the wood floor as she follows me into the living room. She’s known us for years.
I crouch in front of Mia, brushing my knuckles over her cheek. I hate to wake her, but this is important.
Her lashes flutter, and then her eyes open. “Hey.” Her smile’s a little dopey.
“You alright?”
Mia rubs her neck. “Yeah. Just stiff.” She notices Dr. Patel. “Hi. Sorry. I’m awake.”
Dr. Patel waves her off as she drops her bag on the coffee table. “You’re fine. You’re pregnant?”
“I think so.” Mia winces. “I mean… I took a test, and it was positive.”
“She had some bleeding,” I say immediately. Mia freezes, like she didn’t consider that might have been a bad thing—not just implantation.
Dr. Patel lets nothing show on her face. “Today?”
“No.” Mia sits straighter and I adjust the blanket again. I’m fussing but I can’t stop. “Um, a few weeks ago. I thought it was my period, but obviously not.”
The doctor nods even as she reaches into her bag and pulls out a blood pressure machine. “Can I have your arm?” Mia rolls her sleeve up and offers it to her. “Was it a lot of blood?”
“Not really.”
“And you took the test when?”
“Today.” The machine buzzes to life, the cuff inflating around Mia’s bicep.
I watch Dr. Patel’s face, tracking any movement that might suggest a problem.
