Page 32 of Poison Apple Crisp
Dr. Barnette tips her head. “I’m putting her due date right at Marchninth.”
Mom gasps and claps her hands. “Oh, Lottie, that’s just a couple weeks before your birthday!”
“What?” Carlotta squints over at me. “I thought I had you in December! Maybe I should demand a paternity test myself. You might not even be my kid.”
I make a face. “I’m afraid I am. There’s no use in denying it now, Carlotta.”
Mom nods. “But A for effort.” She smooths her palm over my head. “I’m on my way to see baby Josie. Is it okay if I tell your sister about your due date?”
“Sure,” I say. “Tell Lainey I’ll be by one day soon myself. I need my big sister now more than ever before.”
Dr. Barnette creates a little video and puts it on a thumb drive for us, and then snaps off a half a dozen pictures from the ultrasound image as well and gives a couple to both Carlotta and my mother as a parting prize as they leave the room.
“Now”—Dr. Barnette says, turning the lights back on and helping me to a sitting position—“I have an option for you. Right now you’re about eleven weeks. You’re rounding out your first trimester.”
“What? Noah says with a touch of excitement. “You hear that, Lot? You’ve only got two more to go. You’re practically a third of the way done.”
Dr. Barnette laughs. “That’s one way to look at it.”
Everett takes a breath. “Does that mean we’re out of the woods? Is the baby safe?”
“Yes.” She nods. “Anything is possible, of course, but your baby looks healthy and is growing beautifully. Lottie, I’m sure you’ll adhere to a healthy diet, no recreational drugs, no smoking, no alcohol. I’d steer clear of caffeine for the most part. I’m sorry, but I’m obligated to say those things.” She looks from Noah to Everett. “And since the baby is at the right stage, we can do DNA testing to see which one of you is the father. It does pose a small risk to the baby, though.”
“No,” both Noah and Everett fire it off without hesitating.
Dr. Barnette gives a long blink. “I completely understand. In that case, I have the name of a very good lawyer for the three of you. She can help hammer out any legal details before the baby is born in the event it’s one or the other’s. And, Lottie, please consider this. Once the baby is born, there will be so many things to do, and dealing with an attorney will be at the bottom of your list. It looks as if the three of you get along quite well today, but I’ve seen this play out before and it can get very ugly fast. Things can change on a dime. I implore you all to consider it.” She hands the three of us each a thick business card with the name of an attorney on it. “I’ll see you all in a month. Lottie, Noah, Everett, if you have any questions at all, please don’t hesitate to call.”
She takes off, and Noah and Everett stare one another down a moment.
Just a few minutes ago, the three of us had happy tears in our eyes, and now they look as if they want to kill one another. Dr. Barnette is right. Things really can change on a dime.
Noah clears his throat as he nods to Everett. “Would you mind if I had a moment alone with her?”
Everett looks my way. “I’ll be in the waiting room.” He takes off, and Noah helps me off the table, wrapping his arms around me tightly. My chest bucks with emotion, and his does, too, and the two of us stand there like that for what feels like forever.
He sniffs hard as he wipes his hand down his face. Noah looks at me with those glowing green eyes.
“I love you, Lottie Lemon. I didn’t think that love could grow another inch, but it grew an entire universe today.” He lands his hand gently over my belly. “I know that I know that Iknow—this baby is mine,” he says it soft as a whisper. “And if by some chance it isn’t, I’m still going to love you both as if it were. I can’t help myself. You are my family.”
I nod through tears. “We are family, Noah. Forever.”
We share another embrace before he takes off, and I do a quick change into my clothes. By the time I head back out, Noah has left for work, and Everett holds my hand all the way to his car.
He pauses a moment before opening the passenger side door and washes his gaze over my face. A smile begins to form, and it’s so very genuine, so very real, I take a moment to marvel at this gorgeous man.
“I love you, Lemon. You, Evie, and this baby are my entire world. Thank you.” He gives a stern nod as the smile evaporates from his face. “Thank you for choosing to share your life with me. Lucky doesn’t begin to express how you make me feel.”
“Everett.” I bite down hard over my lip. “Thank you for choosing to spendyourlife withme. You could have any woman on this planet.I’mthe lucky one.”
A dull laugh pulses through his chest.
“Lemon, there isn’t another woman for me. You’re it until I take my dying breath. And after that, there will still be only you for me. As fiercely as I would fight for you, I will protect you. I can’t wait to spend every moment of this beautiful life with you.”
My heart swells with his every word.
His mouth covers mine, and we express those words with actions.
My life feels tumultuous, chaotic, and yet so very beautiful and perfect all at the very same time.