FOUR
My Obstetrician’s Better than Your Obstetrician
Arthur
“Who’s Dr. Dropp?” Iask as soon as we’re settled in the back of the limo to go home.
“Anita Dropp. She’s the obstetrician who delivered me. Well, all my brothers, too. And my nieces and nephews. She was one of the first female obstetricians in Avonia, actually.”
I raise one eyebrow. “Lars is turning forty this year, yes?”
“Yes,” Tessa answers in a curt tone that says she knows where I’m going with this and she is not the least bit interested in coming along. “So?”
“She’s got to be positively ancient. I mean, how steady could her hands be at that age?”
“What does that matter?”
“Her one job is to catch the baby, and she probably won’t be ready and the poor little thing on his head and he’ll end up in the special needs class.”
“Arthur!”
“What? The least we should demand in an obstetrician is someone who won’t drop the baby.”
“She’s not going to drop the baby.” She rolls her eyes at me. “She’s getting up there, I suppose, but I’d much rather have someone who’s seen it all and been through it all than some doctor who hasn’t had the ink dry on his medical degree yet.” She sits up and folds her arms across her chest.
“It’s a moot point, really,” I say with a shrug. “We have an official royal obstetrician who will deliver our children.”
“An official royal obstetrician?” Tessa asks in her best snooty voice.
“Yes,” I answer, opening the small fridge to get a bottle of water. I offer her one, but she shakes her head. “He’s the best in the nation. Hands down. Head of obstetrics at Valcourt Memorial.”
“I really don’t see that as a plus. He’s probably too busy to properly care for his patients.”
“Well, he won’t be too busy for you, I can assure you of that.”
“That’s a little elitist, don’t you think?”
I nod. “That’s because we are the elite. Now, normally I agree with you when it comes to equality of all, blah, blah, blah, but when it comes to the safety and well-being of our baby, I think insisting on the best of the best is no different than what any other father out there would do if he could.”
“Arthur! What a terrible thing to say. All babies are important.”
I stifle the urge to wrinkle my nose at the notion, knowing this discussion really won’t get us anywhere. “How about this? We meet with both of them and see who we like better?”
“WhoIlike better. This really does impact me so much more than you, don’t you think?”
“Of course. It’s your body. Your choice.” I lean down and give her a peck on the cheek. “Just as long as you make the right choice.”
Tessa smacks me on the arm.
“Ouch! You’re getting so violent now that you’re pregnant.” I rub the spot where she hit me. “And you may have lost your sense of humour as well. I was only joking.”
“So, we’ll go with Dr. Dropp, then?”
“God, no.” I grin at her to let her know I’m joking, then let my smile fade, feeling the weight of this decision. “I am serious about wanting the best for you and the baby, though. The two of you are by far the most important people in my life, now and forever. So, will you do me a big favour and let me make sure we minimize any possible risk for both of you?”
Tessa sighs. “Fine. We’ll meet your option as well.”
“Thank you.”
