Gabriel's Promise (Gabriel's Inferno #4)(14)

“Thanks, Rebecca.” Julia lifted a bite of casserole to her mouth and began eating.

“Rachel?” Gabriel interrupted her thoughts.

“You’re having Clare baptized Catholic, but I’m Protestant.”

“So?” Julia exchanged a look with Gabriel, who shrugged.

“We’ll make an appointment with the priest.” Gabriel sipped his coffee cheerfully. “And we’ll tell him not to bring up the Council of Trent.”

“Whatever that means.” Rachel rearranged the food on her plate, but not a morsel entered her mouth.



* * *





“My assistant sent over a copy of your chart and we rushed your blood work, so I have those results as well.” Dr. Rubio, Julia’s obstetrician, bustled into the examining room.

“I’m glad you were the obstetrician on call.” Julia sat nervously on the examination table, dressed in a hospital gown, while Gabriel cradled a placid Clare in his arms.

Dr. Rubio was an accomplished obstetrician of short stature who had dark hair that was striped with gray and dark, lively eyes. She was originally from Puerto Rico and was much tougher than her small frame made her appear. In fact, she had often clashed with Professor Emerson during Julia’s pregnancy, particularly over the medical directive that he not perform oral sex on his wife. (He had accused her of going to an anti-oral-sex college. She had cursed him in Spanish.)

“So, what’s happening?” Gabriel’s tone was grim.

Dr. Rubio sat in an available chair and faced Julia, holding her chart. “Your stitches are healing nicely and the lochia discharge is normal. I know you tend to faint at the sight of blood, and that may have played a role this morning.

“You have fibroids, as you know, and one of them was cut during your cesarean section. Because we had to give you a transfusion, I rushed your blood work just now in case you had a reaction. But your blood work looks fine.”

Julia breathed deeply. “What about the fibroids?”

“We’ll continue to monitor them, but as I told you, we aren’t inclined to remove them unless they become a problem. However, I’m concerned about your weight.”

Julia touched her slightly rounded abdomen. “My weight?”

Dr. Rubio leafed through the chart. “I reviewed your weight gain during your pregnancy. You’ve lost quite a bit of weight since the delivery, much more than normal. Breastfeeding uses up an extraordinary number of calories. Are you eating well?”

“She’s hungry all the time,” Gabriel interjected. “She seemed extra hungry this morning after she fainted.”

The doctor ignored Gabriel and focused on Julia. “Are you trying to lose weight?”

Julia shook her head. “When I was in the hospital, I ate what they gave me. And I’ve been eating at home. I tried my jeans on yesterday and they fit, so I’m back to my normal size.”

“Some women are like that, but it’s rare.” Dr. Rubio withdrew a pen from her lab coat and began writing on a prescription pad. “I’m going to refer you to the hospital dietitian. I think you aren’t eating enough or you aren’t eating the right kinds of food, and so breastfeeding is playing havoc with your blood sugar.”

She signed the referral with a flourish and handed it to Julia. “If the dietitian can’t fit you in today, she’ll schedule an appointment. In the meantime, be sure to eat a healthy, balanced diet. Don’t skip meals. Don’t skimp on the protein or carbohydrates, but don’t eat a lot of sugary foods or drinks. Try to snack regularly so that your blood sugar doesn’t crash. If you pass out again, come to the emergency room immediately.”

“Okay.” Julia sighed with relief.

Dr. Rubio studied her patient for a moment. “How are you feeling emotionally?”

Julia picked at the paper that covered the examination table. “I’ve felt a little overwhelmed.”

The doctor nodded. “That can happen. But remember to check in with yourself and if you are sad or anxious for a couple of days, come back. If you’re having thoughts that scare you, come to the emergency room immediately.”

The doctor gave Gabriel a significant look.

A muscle tightened in his jaw. He gazed at Julianne protectively.

“It was good to see you again.” Dr. Rubio smiled and closed Julia’s chart. “I’ll have my secretary schedule a follow-up with you in a couple of weeks. I’m so pleased to see that your baby is doing well. Have you scheduled a checkup with your pediatrician?”

“Yes,” said Julia. “At the one-month mark.”

“Excellent. I’ll see you in a couple weeks, but don’t hesitate to reach out immediately if something doesn’t feel right. Until then, take care.” The doctor took her leave and exited the room.

“She doesn’t like me.” Gabriel practically growled.

“How can anyone not like the handsome and famous Professor Emerson?” Julia teased, smiling.

“You’d be surprised,” he muttered. He transferred Clare to her baby carrier, carefully adjusting her hat. “I didn’t know about the baby’s checkup.”

“It’s in the calendar on my phone.” Julia began dressing.

Gabriel reached out and placed his hand against her cheek.