Vibrating with anxiety, Raiden complied, though he didn’t know why he’d asked that. Antonio was a prankster, but he wouldn’t tease him about something like this, and certainly not now of all times.
Once on speaker, Antonio addressed Scarlett. “I assume you didn’t realize you’re pregnant? Because you thought it wasn’t possible?” Scarlett looked even more dazed that Antonio knew what both of them hadn’t known. “And now that you do, you’re worried about the viability of your pregnancy? And that’s why Raiden is working on a stroke again?”
After Scarlett nodded weakly as if Antonio could see her, Antonio went on as if he had. “I can see why you thought that. I performed a thorough exam with ultrasound, but Raiden must have been too agitated to notice, or he didn’t recognize my patented handheld ultrasound for what it is. I did see your old scars, inside and out, and from their site and extensiveness, I can see why your doctors would have given you a prognosis of sterility. And they would have been absolutely right, if not for something exceptional about you.
“You’re one of a rare percentage blessed with no scarring tendencies. This means your wounds heal almost as elastic as your intact tissues and skin. It’s why your esthetic surgery is virtually undetectable. From the current condition of your uterus, I believe you’ll carry your baby without incident and with normal activity to at least thirty-two weeks. After that, I recommend bed rest until term. Your miracle baby’s development is above average, and you’ll surely do everything so it continues to grow at the same rate, so by thirty-six weeks it should be mature enough to be delivered. I recommend C-section, which I’ll of course perform.”
After Antonio finished his thorough medical report, he promised he’d allocate her a whole day for a total checkup. He suffered Raiden’s overwhelmed, overwhelming thanks and ended the call because he was in the middle of surgery.
She remained staring at Raiden all through, her face a mask of shock. Then suddenly the mask cracked and the whole spectrum of emotions fast-forwarded on her face. What she’d just learned, what she’d long craved and despaired of, coming true so unexpectedly... It must be changing everything inside her, rearranging her life and expectations forever. As it was his.
Not that the pregnancy changed what he felt, or what he intended to do. His love for her had already changed everything. The pregnancy, especially one thought to be impossible, was just an extra jubilation. And it was the least fate owed her after all she’d overcome, all she was doing to spare others what she’d suffered.
And it would be only the beginning. She’d have love and safety and cherishing and everything that he was and had to give for the rest of his life.
“Raiden...” She swayed again, and he caught her, swept her up in a fervent embrace and took her back to bed.
He knew she fell asleep the moment she touched the sheets. It had all been too much for her. But now it wasn’t a dead faint that claimed her, but deep, recharging sleep. The heartbreakingly blissful smile on her lips said that.
All he wanted was to strip both of them and fuse their flesh and go to sleep wrapped around her, enfolding her and their coming baby in his love and protection.
But before he did that, his phone rang.
Thinking it must be Antonio calling back to add medical advice, he eagerly and not a little anxiously answered.
“Raiden-san, you must come to my office at once.”
His uncle’s clipped command shot through him with dismay.
The call was over the moment he said, “Of course.” Whatever his uncle had to say, he would say only to his face.