“Ty,” she says and wipes the tears off her face. Fuck, she’s crying again. I can’t stand it when she cries. “You deserve a dozen babies, if that’s what you want.”
“So do you,” he replies softly and my heart trembles. Jill can’t have babies.
“Stop it,” Jill insists. “I couldn’t be happier for you.”
Cara leaps to her feet and hugs Lo close to her and suddenly the room is a flurry of activity of hugs and well-wishes.
“I’m happy for you, man,” I say to Ty as I shake his hand and pull him in for a hug. “You’re going to be a hell of a father.”
“I have a good teacher,” he replies, and if I’m not mistaken, his eyes mist over as he looks from me to my dad. “You and Jeff have taught me everything I know about being a dad, man. I’m terrified, but knowing I have you guys makes it a little easier.”
“You won’t need us,” I assure him, but then pull him in for another hug. “But I’m happy to help out in any way I can.”
“Thanks.” He looks a bit shell-shocked, and I can’t blame him. Being a father may be the best thing that’s ever happened to me, but it’s scary as hell too.
“There’s going to be a new baby around here to snuggle,” Mom exclaims excitedly. “If you need me to, I’ll come stay with you after he or she arrives to help out.”
Lauren’s jaw drops and her eyes water as she stares at my mom. “You would do that?”
“Of course. You’re our family.” She hugs Lo close and then pats her cheeks, in that way she does with those of us she loves. “This baby is our family too. I’m happy to help.”
“I might take you up on that,” Lo admits and smiles shyly. “I don’t know what in the hell I’m doing.”
“I get to help too!” Jill exclaims.
“And me,” Cara adds. “This baby won’t be lacking for women to love on it.”
“Thank you, everyone,” Ty says and hugs his sister again. “Thanks for including us in your family.”
“You’ve been a member of this family since you were a teenager, son,” Dad says and claps Ty on the shoulder. “Don’t you forget that. Now, when are you going to marry this beautiful woman?”
“Well, we’ve decided to move the wedding up to Valentine’s Day. It’s going to be a small wedding anyway.”
“And this way, I won’t be showing yet so I can still wear a beautiful dress,” Lo adds.
“Great idea,” Cara says. “Jill and I can help.”
Jill nods enthusiastically and then yawns.
“You okay, baby?” I murmur down to her as I wrap my arms around her from behind.
“Yeah, I’m fine. Don’t know why I’m suddenly tired.” She shrugs and when I tighten my arms under her breasts, she flinches. “Hormonal, I guess.”
“Do you want to take a nap?”
She shakes her head and smiles happily up at me. “No way, we have to get dinner started.”
“Can we go ride my new snowmobile?” Seth asks.
“You guys go play in the snow,” Jill says. “We’re going to cook and talk about you now.”
“Oh good,” I reply dryly. “Thanks for the warning.”
“I only say nice things, babe.”
CHAPTER Fifteen
JILLIAN
I roll over in bed and cringe when my breast is pressed against the mattress. Holy shit, what time is it? I glance at my phone and groan. Since when do I take naps at noon? I’ve never been a napper. Yet today, I was so exhausted after showing a house that I had to come home and sleep before my mid-afternoon appointment.
This is the second time this week that I couldn’t make it through the day without catching at least an hour of sleep.
I frown, my breast still cradled gently in my hand, and think back over the past couple of months. Huh. I haven’t had a period in a while. Which isn’t anything unusual since all of the extensive fertility treatments I went through.
Maybe I should make an appointment with Hannah.
I google the phone number for the new OB/GYN’s office and click SEND.
“Dr. Malone’s office, how many I help you?”
“Hi, this is Jillian Sullivan. I have a history of abnormal menstrual cycles and my doctor in California used to prescribe me progesterone to regulate them. Is it possible to have a prescription written for that?”
“Are you a patient of Dr. Malone?”
“No, I’ve never seen her before, but I can give you the name of my doctor in California so you can get my records if that helps.”
“That would be helpful, but even with those records, Dr. Malone will have to see you in the office. She won’t prescribe anything without establishing care with you first.”
Damn! I was worried about that.
“But,” she continues, “you can come in to give us a blood and urine sample anytime, and that way by the time your appointment rolls around, you should be all set.”
“Okay, can she see me Friday afternoon? That’s the best time with my work schedule.”
“Let’s see. Today’s Wednesday . . . Hmm . . . yes, she can see you at two o’clock.”
“Perfect. Thanks.”
The receptionist keeps me on the line for a few more minutes to gather demographic information and when we hang up, I’m already exhausted again.