Bought for Love(45)

That was the last thing I remembered until I woke up in the emergency room. My head was killing me as the bright lights overhead came into focus. Jack and Kim were arguing loudly, and Dante was standing between them, attempting to dissuade their fight, I assumed.

“You did this to her, Jack Duncan! I doubt she can even take a piss without asking your permission these days.”

“Perhaps you should consider who she was with when she passed out.” The only sign that Jack was angry was the tick in his jaw. His words were calm, reserved, almost too polite for the accusation he was putting on her.

“Would you both just stop?” I hated to see the two people I loved most in this world arguing over me.

Kim and Jack were at either side of my bed instantly. It was a little disorientating turning my head back to each of them trying to tell without words that I was fine. It made my head ache even worse and I cried out in pain. Jack stormed from the room and came back with a physician.

“I’m Dr. Sullivan, Ms. Yates. How are you feeling?” He was an older man, slightly overweight, but with the kindest warm-brown eyes.

Thankfully, they stood back and gave the doctor space to examine me and the pain in my head eased. “Just a headache, but I’m okay.” I attempted to smile, but groaned as the movement made my head throb again.

“That’s common during the first trimester of pregnancy.” His words were compassionate, but I gasped as he gave me that news. “Probably just tension since your blood work came back fine.”

“That’s impossible. I’m on birth control.” I felt like reality had left the building. From the look on Jack’s face he was similarly blown away.

“I’m sorry, I assumed you knew.” A wide grin broke over his face. “As you can now attest, birth control is not always effective. I’ll have the nurse bring you in some Tylenol, and you need to make an appointment with an obstetrician soon. As far as your syncope, fainting, try to keep your stress level down as much as you can.”

My mouth hung open and for a second I didn’t know what to say. I was pregnant with Jack’s baby. How did I not realize this before? I was late for my last period, but the health department had told me that was common when starting a new prescription.

“That is assuming you plan on having the child. If not, then you should start considering other options.” Dr. Sullivan wrote down notes on a clipboard while I tried to wrap my mind around the fact of being knocked up.

“She’s keeping it.” Jack’s words were firm, then his face broke into a wide smile.

“That’s not really your decision, now is it?” Kim glared at him, and all I could think was here we go again.

“Since it’s my baby she’s carrying, I believe it’s more mine than yours.” His lip lifted in a smirk and I could see Kim getting ready to lay into him again.

“This is just the kind of stress Ms. Yates needs to avoid during her first trimester.” Dr. Sullivan effectively shut them both up with his lecture. “I could send them all out of here if you need a few moments to regroup.”

The look on Jack’s face was priceless and I bit back a laugh. “I’m sure they’ll be on their best behavior now.” They had been reprimanded and I thought it was hilarious. The fact that Jack wasn’t arguing with the physician didn’t go unnoticed, and Kim looked humbled about needing to be warned.

“I’ll have the nurse bring you those pain relievers, and get to work on your discharge papers.” He patted my hand then turned back to Kim and Jack.

“This young lady will need lots of support during her first pregnancy. It would be wise to remember that stress is harmful right now, not only to the mother but her unborn child.” With a stern look to them both, he walked out the door.

“Congratulations.” Dante’s words alerted me to his presence because I hadn’t paid him any attention with everything else going on.

“Thank you.” I smiled back, still lost in the wonder of becoming a mom.

“We’ll get married immediately. I can have a decorator in to fix up the baby’s room any way you like.” Jack smiled broadly and had a look of what I could only describe as admiration towards me.

“My baby sister, is having a baby.” Kim was smiling and crying at the same time as she walked over, leaned down and hugged me tightly.

“Careful!” Jack admonished, and I had to laugh.

“She’s not fragile, Jack Duncan, and don’t tell me how to hug my sister.”

I could see the reproach in his eyes and decided to diffuse the next argument before it came. “I’m fine. Women get pregnant every day.”