Page 7 of Reluctantly Ever After (The Oops Baby Club #2)

Dr. Walker's office is exactly what you'd expect from a high-end OB/GYN practice. The waiting room is decorated in soft, soothing colors. The chairs look comfortable, and there’s somehow a distinct lack of screaming children.

I mean, where do they put them all? I glance around.

There's got to be a nursery or some hidden panic room or something where they force the moms with kids to wait, right? So they don't disturb everyone else?

Yes, I'm aware my train of thought is stupid, but I'm also embracing the chaos in my head right now. It's a good distraction.

Black and white photos of pregnant bellies and new families, all looking unreasonably happy about the life-altering mess they’ve signed up for, decorate the walls. Meanwhile, I’m coated in a layer of nervous sweat and every second spent in this place brings me closer to a panic attack.

I check in at the front desk, grateful that the waiting room is nearly empty. The fewer witnesses to this disaster, the better.

"First time with Dr. Walker?" the receptionist asks as she hands me a clipboard full of forms.

"Yep," I say, taking the paperwork.

"You'll love him. He delivered my sister's twins last year. He's the best in Portland."

“So I hear.” I manage a tight smile and find a seat in the corner, as far from the other patients as possible. The forms are typical, wanting to know my medical history, insurance information, and last period.

I think we’ve already established it’s been a while, but I check the app on my phone to get the exact date.

Oh yay, looks like that weekend in Vegas was right in my ovulation window.

I hand in the completed paperwork and try not to fidget as I wait. My phone buzzes in my purse, and I pull it out to find another text from Kasen.

Kasen: Ignore me all you want

Kasen: But it's not going away, Pink.

I stare at the screen with zero clue what to say. I’m literally sitting in the doctor’s office waiting to find out if he knocked me up.

Wait.

The timing of his texts is suspect, right?

Does he know I’m here right now? How could he possibly know? Did someone see me come in here? Did Dr. Walker call Clover because I name dropped her to get this appointment?

No, I’m just losing my mind is all. He can't know. I only just found out myself. Well, actually I know nothing yet. This could totally be food poisoning and a false positive. He's just trying to get me to sign the divorce papers.

Which just brings up another question I don’t want to answer: why do I keep putting him off?

My heart's racing, and another wave of nausea that has nothing to do with morning sickness and everything to do with panic starts to build. This is a nightmare. This is?—

"Wren Callan?"

I snap my head up, shoving my phone back into my purse without responding. The nurse is standing with a tablet in her hand, waiting for me to acknowledge that yes, I'm Wren Callan, and yes, I'm here because I'm probably not-maybe-definitely knocked up.

With my husband-slash-enemy's baby.

"That's me," I say, my voice shaky as hell as I rise to follow her.

The examination room is clean and clinical, with diagrams of female anatomy on the walls that make me want to look anywhere else. I'm sweating and oh my god I can't do this. The nurse takes my vitals, then asks a few preliminary questions.

"Dr. Walker will be with you shortly," she says with a reassuring smile before closing the door.

I try to regulate my breathing while I perch awkwardly on the edge of the examination table. The paper beneath me crinkles with every slight movement. I hate feeling this vulnerable, this exposed.

There’s a soft knock on the door before Dr. Walker steps into the room.

He looks like I remember him from last year, tall and lean, with his hair pulled back in a bun.

He’s younger and hotter than you want a man who’s going to be seeing your vagina in a clinical setting to be, but he’s also the best, so it is what it is.

"Ms. Callan," he says, extending his hand like we’ve never met before. "I'm Dr. Walker. Reed, if you prefer. It's nice to meet you officially.” He grins. “Now, what can I do for you? My receptionist told me you were having some sort of emergency?”

His handshake is firm but gentle. "Call me Wren.” I let his hand go, wiping my sweaty palm on my pants. "And yep, it's an emergency all right."

Reed sits on a rolling stool, opening my file. "I see from your forms that you think you might be pregnant?"

I hesitate for a second. He's friends with Kasen. He wouldn't say anything, would he? No, there's that whole doctor patient confidentiality thing, right?

And besides, how would he know Kasen's my maybe-baby daddy?

Unless Kasen said something?

Reed's watching me and I realize that it's taking me way too long to respond. Like, an awkward amount of time.

Finally, I nod, my throat suddenly dry. "You’re not allowed to tell anyone what we talk about, right?”

“Not a word unless you give me your permission.”

“I took a home test, and it was positive. But I wanted to be sure."

"Of course." He glances at the form. He doesn't try to tell me that this isn’t really an emergency, which I appreciate. "You noted your last period was approximately eight weeks ago, and you've been experiencing nausea, fatigue, and dizziness?"

"Yes. I thought it was stress or something I ate, but..."

"But the timing lines up," he finishes for me. His manner is professional but warm, without a hint of judgment, and I find myself relaxing just a little. "We'll do a blood test to confirm. Is there anything else I should know?"

I nearly choke on the waterfall of words trying to pour out of my mouth. "It was—" I hesitate, unsure how to explain the absolute clusterfuck that is my current situation. "It was unplanned. Very unplanned. And complicated."

Reed nods, making a note in my file. "I understand. Lots of pregnancies are unplanned. Let's focus on confirming whether you're pregnant, and then we can talk about your options."

The rest of the exam passes in a blur of questions, blood draws, and a urine sample.

Through it all, Reed stays calm and matter-of-fact.

His bedside manner is better than I thought it’d be, considering he’s one of Kasen’s best friends.

He helps me stay calm, which I really needed.

I understand why he's so highly sought after by the women of Portland.

When we're done with the exam, Reed steps out. My phone buzzes again, but I ignore it. If it's another text from Kasen, I might spiral all the way into crazy town and I can't do that in public no matter how bad things get.

Reed returns with a tablet in hand, his expression carefully neutral. "Well, Wren, the results are in. Your blood test confirms you are indeed pregnant. Based on your last period, you're approximately eight weeks along."

Even though I was expecting it, the confirmation is like a punch in the face. I fall into the chair in the corner as my legs give out.

"Are you sure?" I ask, though I know it's a stupid question.

"I’m sure. The hCG levels in your blood are consistent with early pregnancy." He studies my face, his expression softening. "I know this might not be the news you were hoping for."

That's the understatement of the century.

"What are my options?" I ask, proud that my voice doesn't shake.

Reed leans back against the counter, crossing one long leg over the other. "You have several. You can continue with the pregnancy and parent, continue with the pregnancy and place the child for adoption, or terminate the pregnancy. Oregon law protects your right to choose any of these options."

I nod mechanically, trying to process the information through the haze of shock. "How long do I have to decide?"

"If you're considering termination, Oregon allows it up to the point of viability, which is around twenty-four weeks. But earlier is safer and less complicated." His tone remains factual, without pressure in either direction. "Whatever you decide, I'm here to provide medical care and support."

"Thank you," I say automatically, though I don’t really know what I’m saying right now.

Reed hands me a folder of information. "This contains resources for all options, including prenatal care schedules if you choose to continue the pregnancy, as well as information about adoption services and termination procedures. Take some time to review it and think about what's right for you."

I take the folder, clutching it to my body like I can absorb the information through my skin if I just hold it close enough. "And if I—if I decide to continue?"

He flashes me a grin and if I wasn't… whatever I am with Kasen, I might have developed a crush on hot Dr. Walker.

"Then we'd schedule your first prenatal appointment, do an ultrasound, and start you on prenatal vitamins.

" He pauses. "Regardless of your decision, I'd recommend you start taking them now, just to be safe. "

I nod, because my mouth has forgotten how to form words.

"Do you have any questions for me?" Reed asks gently.

A thousand, but none I can articulate right now. "Not yet. I need to process."

"Of course. My nurse will give you some prenatal vitamin samples and schedule a follow-up appointment for next week.

In the meantime, if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to call.

" He stands, extending his hand again. "And Wren?

Whatever you decide, it's your choice. Don't let anyone tell you otherwise. "

I shake his hand, grateful for his kindness despite the circumstances. "Thank you, Dr. Walker."

"Reed," he corrects with a small smile. "And you're welcome."

The nurse gives me the promised vitamins, schedules my next appointment, and sends me on my way with a smile. I walk out of the office as I disassociate from reality. Everything looks a little off as I try to come to terms with what just happened.

Pregnant.

I'm freaking pregnant with Kasen James's baby.