I can’t explain it to him. If my father finds out that Raoul might expect me to terminate this pregnancy, he’ll kill him with his bare hands. I just know it. I’d been worried about how he’d react to the news of my baby before. But now I’m more worried about what he has in mind for my husband than ever.
“I just…need time to figure things through, okay?” I tell him. “I haven’t known long myself, and I’m trying to come to terms with it.”
“Well, you’d better make it snappy, kid,” he says, sounding a lot like Andy did when she found out. “It’s only a matter of time before you can’t hide this.”
“You’re right,” I agree, though I’m still no closer to a solution. The closest I’ve come to figuring things out has been to pray that I can keep it hidden until an abortion is no longer an option. Though my last Google search revealed that it could be legally performed as late as 24 weeks – and I have no idea how I can hide this pregnancy until I reach six months. Though if he found out, how could he force me? Hold a gun to my head?
Maybe.
I huff a sigh and feel myself sag. My father tightens his grip on my hands.
“Please tell me you’ve at least been in for a check-up,” he says. My cheeks tingle as I shake my head in denial. “Well, that’s not acceptable!” he barks. “Murphy!” he yells over his shoulder. “We need a doctor’s appointment!” I see the redhead snap to attention.
Oh, hell no!
There’s no way the Ginger Ninja’s finding me a freaking gynecologist.
“I have someone!” I say quickly. “A close friend. She’ll help.” Hopefully, she’ll also keep her mouth shut. The fewer people who know about this, the better.
“Well, then? Get on with it, girl!” My father’s all business now. He settles back and folds his arms, and I realize he’s expecting me to make this call right now.
“Fine!” I roll my eyes, reaching for my phone and hitting the number I have saved as Dr. Andy. She picks up a moment later.
“Babe! Tell me you’ve told him!”
Oh cripes. They’re all on my back.
“No, but I think I need to schedule an appointment. For a check-up. I know it might seem odd, but would you…” I trail off.
“Of course, honey! It’s not my specific specialty, but I can do it for you. There’s an OB-Gyn wing at the clinic I volunteer at. I can arrange to see you there if you like.”
“Sounds perfect.” I give my father a pointed look. He juts his jaw at me, clearly not satisfied.
“Ask about the preeclampsia,” he mouths. I pinch my lips but nod.
“Um…I’m also a bit worried about some symptoms I’ve been having,” I say to Andy. “Dizziness, mainly.”
“Bad?” she asks.
“Kinda,” I say, not adding that I’ve literally collapsed on more than one occasion. “It’s troubling because it turns out that my Ma had…um, preeclampsia with her last pregnancy. She and the baby both died and well…” I swallow. “I guess I’m paranoid?”
“Oh, hon, I’m so sorry.” Andy’s voice is gentle. “If it’s any comfort, it’s a bit early in your pregnancy to be worrying about that, but since it’s a potential risk, we’ll take extra special care, okay?”
“You’ll take extra special care. Sounds great,” I repeat, aiming a look at my father, who finally seems satisfied. “Let me know when you can fit me in.”
“I’ll set something up as soon as I can. Till then, take good care of yourself, and please try to tell Raoul about this. You hear me?”
“Sure,” is all I managed before ending the call. “Happy?” I ask my dad, who gives a reluctant nod.
“I’ll expect a full report,” he insists.
“And I’ll expect you to stop trying to sabotage Raoul’s businesses,” my voice is equally firm.
“Look, I’ll admit we…uh…placed the device in the warehouse,” he says cautiously, throwing a look at Murphy, who suddenly is looking everywhere but at us. “But we had nothing to do with anything else that happened there last night. I swear to ya, lass. Someone else hit the joint. Someone who got there before us.”
I narrow my eyes on him. It sounds unlikely, but he has no reason to lie about it. And I have no more energy to argue.
“Fine,” I breathe out, then take his hand in mine to drive the words home. “Just don’t kill my husband, Daddy…please!” I ask with as much sincerity as I can muster.
