“What?”It felt like he was speaking in riddles now.
A soft smile curved his lips.“I think you should go home and get some rest.Try to eat if you’re able since you do need the sustenance.Drink plenty of tea, preferably brewed from chamomile and mint.This will help ease your discomfort.”
“That doesn’t provide me with the answer I hoped to acquire from you.”
Doctor Wolf returned to his seat behind his desk and reached for his quill.“I’d like for you to come see me again in a couple of weeks.By then, I should be in a better position to give you the diagnosis you seek.”
She stiffened.Apprehension made her wary.It was beginning to look like the doctor just wanted her money.“This was a mistake.I shouldn’t have come.”
“You did right to do so though not for the reason you think.”Doctor Wolf jotted down a few notes before setting his quill aside once more.“I don’t believe there’s anything wrong with you, Mrs.Croft.On the contrary, instinct tells me you’re likely expecting.Your first child, I suspect, seeing as you are completely oblivious to the early signs of pregnancy.However, if your symptoms worsen significantly, inform me at once.”
Samantha barely registered what he said after uttering the words,you’re likely expecting.It was as though her brain had vacated her head.She couldn’t think, never mind get a single word out.
The air seemed to thicken around her, making it hard to breathe.Her stomach tightened and a sickly wave rolled through her.She grabbed the porcelain pot she’d set aside earlier, barely managing to pull it toward her mouth before a cramp forced her breakfast back up her throat.
“Fetch her some tea,” Doctor Wolf told his son.To Samantha he said, “You should begin feeling better in a couple of months.”
A couple of months?
She vomited again and prayed the doctor was jesting.
“In rare instances it can last throughout the pregnancy,” Doctor Wolf continued.
Lord help her.She tried to gulp down some air, to focus on each breath and force the nausea under control.It gradually released its hold, though not enough for her to trust that it wouldn’t return in an instant.
Doctor Wolf emptied the washbowl that stood in one corner into a bucket before refilling it with fresh water.He then collected a neatly folded towel which he held toward her.“So you can freshen up.”
The cool water against her flushed cheeks felt wonderful.She patted her face with the towel then used a bar of soap to wash her hands.“Thank you.”
Mr.Wolf arrived with the tea and offered the cup to Samantha.She took a small sip and sighed in response to its soothing effect.A baby.She and Adrian were going to have a child.They would be parents.
The enormity of it and all it entailed crashed over her.
Since meeting each other, she’d gotten shot and he’d been stabbed.They’d nearly been killed, both of them.Neither had pondered the dangers they’d faced when trying to save innocent lives.She’d not given her own safety a second thought when she’d helped Adrian avoid execution.The only thing that had mattered in any of these instances was justice.And the love they had for each other.
But a child would change that.A child would become a determining factor in every decision they made henceforth.Ensuring the child’s safety would mean taking extra care.It would involve a level of protection Samantha wasn’t sure she was prepared for.Mostly because she dreaded the freedom Adrian would try to deny her as soon as he learned of the life now growing inside her.
There would be no more midnight sprints across rooftops, no more training at Reed’s, or inviting situations that might result in fights.Her husband wouldn’t care how skilled she was, he’d just want to make sure she was safe.Which was something she understood after recently fearing she’d lose him.But on the other hand, she could not imagine being ensconced at home, relegated to the sidelines while Adrian kept the criminal underworld in check by himself.
“You suggested there’s a chance this may be something else,” Samantha said.She wasn’t sure she was ready to be a mother.A bit of time to prepare and plan before getting pregnant would have been nice.
“If I were you, I’d hope it’s not, since your symptoms would otherwise be proof of a serious ailment.”Doctor Wolf smiled.“I realize parenthood can seem daunting, but it is a blessing that will enrich your life, Mrs.Croft.”
She took another sip of tea and wished it contained a spot of brandy.Doctor Wolf would not be able to relate to the impact a child would have on a couple who constantly seemed to be sought out by danger.
“How am I to proceed?”Her body felt numb as she asked the question.
“There’s no need for you to make any drastic changes for now.”The doctor made a few additional notes, then handed the piece of paper to his son.
“Please give that to Mrs.Croft.”Doctor Wolf explained to Samantha, “It’s a basic guideline to help you adjust.Fairly logical, I’d say.After all, women have been birthing children since the beginning of time.I’m generally of the opinion that common sense is all that’s required in order to make sure both mother and child remain healthy and strong.”
Samantha took the paper Mr.Wolf gave her and scanned the information thereon.Exercise lightly.Eat well.Take plenty of fresh air.Rest.Refrain from overexerting yourself.Avoid activities that could result in serious injury.A few additional recommendations accompanied each point.
According to this she could remain active until the point of birth, provided the pregnancy progressed without incident.She was, however, advised not to ride after the fifth month although walking was encouraged.As far as the rest of her usual activities went, she’d have to revert to the doctor’s comment about common sense.
For now, she saw no reason to stop her regular training or to withdraw the support she was able to offer Adrian.At the very least, she wanted to finish the case they were working on.Once that was done, she’d take stock of her situation, make a plan, and move forward from there.
Finn O’Leary would still need to be dealt with, but she also recognized he was a problem Adrian might want to solve alone.Murry would help if need be while she maintained a safe distance from that kind of danger.
