Joshua Healy (The Mitchell/Healy Family #10)(67)

A doctor comes in the room and writes something in his chart. “There she is. How are you feeling? Are you in any pain?”

“She said it hurts.”

“Well, unfortunately in her condition we’re not able to give her anything stronger.”

“Her condition. What do you mean?”

Her parents come into the room at the same time I inquire. Instead of the doctor answering, her father says it. “She’s pregnant, Josh.”

“What?” I can’t believe it. “She never said a word to me.”

“She’s not that far along, maybe two months. There’s a good chance she didn’t know.”

Two pregnancies. I feel like I’m going to vomit, and while I try to wrap my head around it, my cell phone starts to ring in my pocket. I look to Tamsyn before leaving the room to answer it. “I’ll be right back.”

I peer down at the phone and see it’s my sister. “Cam, what do you know?”

“She’s alive, Josh.”

“And the baby?”

The line is quiet. “I’m sorry, Josh. The nurse said Wes asked them to do an ultrasound. There’s no baby.”

“What do you mean?”

“She must have miscarried.”

I don’t want to be happy about this, but I do feel relieved. I close my eyes and try to take it all in. “Is she awake?”

“No. They have her heavily sedated for the pain. How is Tamsyn? Have you been able to see her?”

“Yeah, I’m in the ICU now.”

“Did you know?”

She doesn’t have to say it. “No. I literally just found out.”

“You really need to learn to use protection.”

“Cam, please don’t start right now.”

“Have you spoken to Tamsyn?”

“A few words.”

“Give her time before you bring up the baby. Her body is stressed.”

“That’s the thing. I’m not worried about it. I’m not even that freaked out.”

“And Liv?”

“Tamsyn’s parents are pressing charges. She’ll probably be facing attempted murder.”

“Wow. I can’t blame them.”

“Karma is a bitch. She tried to take out Tamsyn to keep us apart. I don’t know her anymore, and I certainly didn’t want to raise a kid with her. It’s hard knowing a part of me is gone. I’ll always wonder if it was mine, but I need to take care of Tamsyn. She’s my first priority.”

“Tell her I’m thinking about her. I’ll call Mom so she can let everyone know she’s awake. You can tell them about the pregnancy. I’d rather not be involved in that conversation.”

I chuckle. “Yeah, thanks. How’s Wes?”

“He’s doing better. His grandfather is here with us. The doctor thinks Liv will be able to move to a regular room after the allotted time needed for observation. They are watching for infection. It’s all standard procedure.”

“Let him know I asked.”

“I will, Josh. I love you.”

“Thank you for everything, Cam.”

“I’d do anything for my family. No need to thank me.”



When I go back in the room with the news I have, I struggle to come to grips with it. I’m still going to be a father. Unlike Liv’s pregnancy, I know this baby is mine. I join her parents who are getting more out of her than I did. They scoot aside so I can let her know I’m back. “Hey there.”

She smiles, and when I see it I know we’re going to be okay.





Chapter 31


Tamsyn


It’s Christmas day and I’m celebrating it in the hospital. Josh hasn’t left my bedside, not even to shower at home. They’ve moved me to a private room, and his parents brought him clothes so he was able to change and get cleaned up without leaving. I’ve been resting a lot, emotionally exhausted. He naps when I do, and sometimes steps out for something to eat, but always comes right back.

We haven’t talked about Livvy. I had to ask his mother when Josh wasn’t around. According to Amy, Livvy is being charged with attempted murder, reckless endangerment and destruction of property over five hundred dollars. Even with the money her family has, no judge is going to let her get away without some kind of punishment. I feel sorry for her, that her expensive education and classy upbringing didn’t leave her with better morals.

It’s still early in the morning. My mind is on a pregnancy I never expected, and the one that will never be again. I don’t know what to think or feel. I know I should have remorse, but there is a child growing inside of me that we made out of pure love. He would have never given me space had we known. He would have insisted and hunted me down until I gave in.

Josh is putting the recliner back in the upright position, while I sit up and play around with my hospital food. “Your mom is bringing you breakfast, just send that shit back.”

“I feel bad. It’s wasteful. You eat some.”

“I’m not eating that. I’d starve before I ate plastic eggs.”

I sit my fork down. Something else is bothering me. I’m stuck in this bed and didn’t have a chance to get him a present. He’s never mentioned the ring he gave me or what it implies, so I’ve acted like I forgot, until it’s staring me in the face again.