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“Ah.”
He leaned forward, resting his hands between his legs. “I’ve been meeting with some people.”
“People?”
“I was approached about coming on board with an established practice as a GP.”
His words shocked me. We’d never discussed that option. I pulled my leg up to my chest. “And?”
“I’m interested. With my schooling, I’m qualified for both.”
“Leave the hospital and work in a practice? You want that, Matthew?”
He rubbed his eyes. “I never thought so before. But I’m exhausted, Maddy. And I’m tired of the revolving door of the ER. I want to get to know my patients. Make a difference in their care so perhaps they don’t end up in the ER. Establish relationships with my fellow team members. It’s as if the hospital staff changes monthly. At least it feels that way. We’ve had three charge nurses leave in the past two months. Four doctors go to other provinces. It’s less money, but with the structure they have laid out, less stress and more regular hours.”
“I don’t care about the money. I care about you.”
He smiled at me fondly.
“Tell me more.”
“I’ve met with them three times. I didn’t want to say anything until I was certain I was interested. The more I have spoken to them, the more interested I’ve become.”
“Do you know any of them?”
“Dr. Hamelin. Dr. Wordsworth. The others, I know of. It’s a group of ten.”
“Wow.”
“Heavy caseloads shared by all. I’m not there, you can see a colleague. They focus on good patient care. I’ve looked through their entire operation. It’s very successful, but one of the docs is retiring. I could step right in.” He paused and took a drink of the water I offered him.
“I had Reid and Aiden check them out. Everything is solid. There is a buy-in fee, but it’s doable. Or Aiden informed me BAM would cover it. They have provided start-up money for all the kids of my generation. Dad would jump at the chance if he thought this would slow me down a little.”
I had to smile. There was no doubt of that. Richard would do anything to help his children.
“I’m not sure what to say. It sounds great, and I know how weary you’ve been.” I smiled sadly. “I’ll still be on shifts, but we could make it work.”
He shook his head. “That’s another perk. Every doctor has his own nurse. You could come and work there with me.”
I blinked. “Work together? Every day?”
“Well, for a while. Once we decide to start a family, you can go on leave. Come back and work part time if you want.”
“I don’t know what to say.”
“I know it’s a lot. And you have a lot of questions. The job for you is just an added bonus if you want it. If not, we can work with shifts. Your days will be fine. Evenings and nights, we’ll figure out. It won’t be forever.”
He stood and bent to kiss me. “I’m going to have a shower. I’m starving too.”
I laid my hand on his arm. “I had my own news to share with you. I was going to wait a bit, but this seems to be the right time.”
He looked startled, reaching for my hand. “Okay.”
I took a deep breath. “I’m pregnant.”
He stilled, letting the words sink in. I hadn’t planned on telling him until later this evening, but this seemed the perfect moment to share. I’d only found out this morning. I’d been dizzy at work and nauseated for the third day in a row. One of my fellow nurses suggested I could be pregnant, and although I was certain she was wrong, I took a test.
The two blue lines changed my entire mind-set.
