“You got the girl back. Good for you. You’ll get the career you want too. I’m sure of it.”
“From your lips to God’s ears.” I hold up the pager. “Gotta run. Thanks for stopping by.”
On my way back to the ER, I find myself not holding out much hope. Even if he vouches for me, he’s vouching for the old me. Every potential employer will know that. Still, it’s nice to know someone has my back.
A little girl is screaming when I enter the private pediatric room of the ER. And it’s evident as to why. She’s got a fork sticking out of her shoulder. As in, it’s embedded down to the base of the tines. But based on my extensive knowledge of human anatomy, I’m fairly sure nothing major was hit. After a quick X-ray to confirm it, I’ll be pulling it out and educating them on infection prevention.
Yup—just another day in the ER.
The girl’s father is holding her on his lap as her mother is in tears. They both look guilty, as if they could have prevented a five-year-old from running through the house with a fork. I almost crack a smile wondering if my own daughter will be as rambunctious someday.
Then Idosmile, knowing I’m about to help someone. After all, isn’t that what I signed up to do, no matter what capacity I’m doing it in?
“Hello, little lady. I’m Dr. Criss. I’m going to have you fixed up and back to flying kites in no time.” I pull a large lollipop from the dispenser. “This has magical powers. It will help you feelbetter. Especially this purple one. So make sure you lick it until it’s gone, okay, princess?”
Her lower lip quivers, but she takes it from me with her uninjured arm, puts it in her mouth and says, “It tastes like magic.”
I call the nurse over with the X-Ray machine. “Let’s get started,” I say, knowing this is exactly where I need to be… for now anyway.
Chapter Forty-Eight
Trevor
Iroll over in bed, a big grin on my face when I realize what today is. It’s Tuesday. Ava isn’t working. And neither am I. With me taking on more shifts, it’s become rare that we have an entire day together. And I don’t plan on wasting it.
It’s a warm August morning. She’s wearing sleep shorts and a tight camisole that has ridden up her belly. I’m fascinated when I see movement underneath her skin. I stare as the hand, foot, elbow or knee traces across her abdomen. Mesmerized by the activity, I’m tempted to reach out and touch her, but want to continue enjoying the show.
“Staring again?” Ava asks lazily.
I shake my head in awe. “I’m just wondering how you can sleep when she’s doing somersaults in there.”
“You get used to it.” Her eyes narrow in thought. “I didn’t think I would. And I really don’t want to. I want to cherish every single minute of this pregnancy because I know it’ll be the only one.”
My eyebrows rise. “Really? We haven’t talked about it, but I just assumed you’d want more.”
“Did you not read the letter we burned, Trev? I’m not going to put us through that again.”
I run a hand across the soft, taut skin of her tummy. “You’d really be okay with just one?”
Her lips form a soft, honest smile. “I really would. I’ve been thinking about it a lot lately. That we’re even having this baby at all is a miracle. I want us to focus on being a family. And more importantly, I want us to be happy. If I start thinking ahead, wondering when and if we’ll have another child, I know it will keep me from living in the moment. And after everything we’ve been through this year, don’t we deserve a little happiness?”
I wrap an arm around her and squish the baby between us. “We damn well do. And just so you know, I’m very happy with you. With us.”
“Me too. Which is why I don’t want to push our luck and go down that road again. We worked so hard for this one, and I plan on savoring every moment—the good and the bad. Every milestone. Each scraped knee. Every single hug, of which there will be thousands.”
I lay my head on her pillow, right next to hers. “Have you always been this amazing?”
She stares at the ceiling, looking guilty. “Honestly? No. I was selfish. Selfish to the point of almost ruining our marriage because of my obsession with becoming a mother.”
I put a finger under her chin and force her to look at me. “Babe, that’s all in the past. We have our entire future ahead of us. One that will include our little girl. And if you say she’s going to be our only one, I’m okay with that. But rest assured, I’m going to spoil the shit out of both of you.”
“And you can rest easy knowing I’ll never be that selfish again.”
When she reaches out and grabs my dick—maybe to prove a point—I stop her. “I know how uncomfortable you’re getting. We don’t have to do this.”
“I may not be able to do this for a long time, Trev. Maybe not even on our wedding night. So I say we take full advantage of this rare morning together.”
It’s been weeks since we’ve had sex. Between my crazy schedule and her increasing level of discomfort, I just figured it was off the table and I’d be relegated to exercising my right hand until well after the baby came. But with her stroking me the way she is, you can bet I’m going to take her up on the offer and enjoy every second of whatever she’s willing to do.
