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I try, though my brain feels sluggish, and I just want to close my eyes again. Something tightens around my bicep and another cool circle finds the inside of my elbow. Then it releases with a hiss.
“Her vitals look pretty normal, though she appears to be quite dehydrated. And if she’s been throwing up, I would say that’s most likely the cause. I’d like to run a few tests, and in the meantime, I’ll start her on some fluids to help with the dehydration…”
I think I drift off then, because I lose track of what the kind old man is saying.
And when I open my eyes again, I’m shocked at how much better I feel. How much more awake. Frowning, I sit up slowlyand look around my bedroom. An IV’s been hooked up to my arm with fluids—to help rehydrate me, I recall. Which makes sense, now that my brain doesn’t feel so foggy. I’ve been unable to keep anything down for so long. Of course I got too low on fluids.
“Ah, you’re awake, and you look like you’re feeling better already.” That same kind-eyed older man shuffles toward me from the bathroom, where it looks like he’s been doing some bloodwork. “You’ve got a bit of color back in your cheeks, so I think we’re on a good track.” He smiles, his mustache spreading at the corners like wings.
“Am I sick?” I ask, grateful to finally have someone who can give me some answers about why I’ve been feeling so god-awful lately—beyond my broken heart.
“Overall, I’d say you’re quite healthy, Quinn,” the doctor says, giving my hand an encouraging pat. “Though you were quite dehydrated and your tests would say you’re pretty depleted of vitamins. I’ll prescribe you an anti-nausea medication to get you through the worst of it, and I would recommend you start taking a prenatal right away.”
My heart skips a beat at the casual way he says it. “I’m sorry. A prenatal…are you telling me I’m pregnant?” I ask.
That can’t possibly be true.Lance came inside me, what, a week ago?There’s no way I would be experiencing morning sickness already. But if the doctor did blood work, then it must confirm I am.
Then it hits me. That first night Lance and I had sex. Briefly, he was inside me without a condom. But he didn’t come without one. And while it’s possible to get pregnant from precum, it’s so unlikely, I didn’t even think about taking a contraceptive.
But that’s not all that happened is it?
Because by the time he was inside me without a condom, Lance had already come once. And if he had any remainingsperm from the first time…Oh dear God. I’ve been pregnant all this time.
“You are indeed pregnant, Miss King. From the looks of it, I’d say you’re about a month along,” the doctor confirms. “I believe congratulations are in order.”
“Thanks,” I breathe, too stunned to think straight.
“I’ve left the nausea medication on your counter along with a recommended brand of vitamin. Please call me with any questions or if your nausea continues, yes?”
“Right. Yeah, thank you, Doctor,” I say as he packs his bag to leave.
My mind’s still spinning when Killian knocks a few minutes later.
“Come in!” I call, and he does, his expression almost sheepish as he steps inside.
“How you feeling?” he asks gently—more gently than he’s spoken to me in days.
“Better,” I admit, then my stomach knots as I wonder exactly what I should tell him.
Everything.Because maybe if he knows, Killian will realize it was wrong to send Lance away. He’s the father of my child. He should be here with me.
“Killian,” I say cautiously, “I have something to tell you.”
“Okay?” His eyes narrow suspiciously as he tips his head.
“You need to call Lance and tell him to come home. I’m pregnant, and he deserves to know.”
“You’re…what?” he asks, color rising in his cheeks.
“Lance should know he’s going to be a father. He deserves a chance to be a father to our child and?—”
“Like hell he does!” Killian roars, making me jump. “That bastard took advantage of you, and he didn’t even bother to use protection? If I ever find Lance, I’ll kill him for knocking you up.”
37
LANCE
It’s probably suicide.