The Best of Us (Sullivan's Crossing #4)(64)

“So, you have the basic facts,” Dr. Carlson said. “I could conference with you about all the many options you have, but I believe you’re capable of talking those things over without me. I’m going to have the nurse draw some blood—those results are meaningful no matter what you decide. We should at least have a baseline.”

Leigh just nodded. She bit down on her lower lip to keep from crying. She didn’t know why. She’d already known she was pregnant.

When they were starting home, Rob reached for her hand. “Six weeks,” he said. “Didn’t take us long, did it?”

“I can’t talk,” she said. “I’m sorry.”

He gave her a moment and then said, “If you tell me what you’re afraid of, we can start there, figure it out.”

“I don’t even know,” she said.

“Okay, let’s start with what’s good about this—it’s a baby and it appears to be healthy and strong.”

“It’s early,” she said. She still thought it was possible she’d miscarry. To her shame she wasn’t sure if she’d be terribly hurt and disappointed or relieved.

“You’re going to be fine,” he said. “You’re healthy. The baby is healthy. This is good.”

“Even though I don’t know how I’m going to raise it?” she shot back, annoyed.

He sighed. “You’re not going to raise it alone.”

“How do you know I even want your help? Oh, why did I say that? That was so mean! I don’t say mean things like that! I’m sorry, Rob.”

“It’s okay. You’re upset. Here’s something I just realized I knew about you—you carefully plan out everything. From your education to where you’ll practice to what meals you’ll have with your aunt and what nights you’ll work late... You don’t like surprises.”

“Who does?”

“No one, I guess,” he said. “You could let a person be understanding, all right?”

“I said I was sorry,” she said.

“Listen,” he began.

“Shhh,” she said, hushing him. She needed a little quiet to settle her nerves.

They drove the rest of the way in silence. When he got to her house, he walked her to the door. Then he walked her inside.

“Rob, I might need some time alone,” she said.

He put his arms around her. “I won’t talk,” he said. “But I need to be with you.”

“Not right now, all right? I think I might feel a good cry coming on.”

“Good,” he said. “Let it out. I’m going to hold you for a few minutes.”

She gave up, sighed and melted into his arms. Resting her head against his chest, she let herself feel protected.

He lifted her chin with a finger and kissed her. Lightly at first, then more seriously. Then urgently. Her arms went around his neck with a will of their own and, as usual, they found the bedroom, tumbled onto her bed and began undressing each other.

He knew all the right places to touch, all the things that made her crazy with desire. But this time, he was slow and steady, sweetly rocking her to orgasm. Just at the end, just when she was about to give it up, he slid a hand over her belly and whispered, “I’m not leaving you.” With a hiccup of emotion, she let it all go. Then she sobbed against his bare chest while he held her.

It was at that moment that everything became clear for Rob. No matter how difficult their circumstances might be, he wasn’t willing to let go of her. He couldn’t lose her. He wasn’t entirely sure this was love but it was damn sure need. In the nine years since he’d buried his wife, he was finally with a woman who brought him joy. Joy and pleasure that was incomparable to anything he’d known before. She also brought a fair share of frustration and confusion, but he’d figure it out. He had to.

He held her close while her body shuddered, first with pleasure and then with sobs, and he knew he was in it for the long haul. This was his woman and he was going to do everything imaginable to keep her. It might not have been their plan but they were having a family together.

He gently stroked her brow, their legs entangled, still joined. It wasn’t long before her sobs turned into sighs and then a soft snore. He pulled the throw from the foot of the bed over them both and rested his lips against her hair, breathing in the sweet scent of her.

He might’ve slept himself, though not for long, when she stirred. She took a deep steadying breath and turned in his arms, facing him. “I guess I had a nap,” she said.

“I think you had several things you needed,” he said. “A good orgasm, a good cry, a little nap.”

“I think I’ll be able to pull it together now,” she said.

“Listen to me, we’re going to make this work. We made this baby together, planned or not, and we’ll see it has a good life. You’re not alone.”

“I don’t know how to move forward on this.”

“People do it all the time. There are lots of options.”

“You didn’t want a baby,” she reminded him. “You’re forty and you’ve already raised a family.”

“You didn’t want a baby, either, but guess what? I doubt I’ll be using a walker when he’s in college. I’ve got plenty of good years ahead. A lot of men my age are just getting started. The only difference is, I’ve already raised two kids.”