One Baby Daddy (Dating by Numbers #3)(66)

“She’s right.” Logan crosses his arms over his chest, his scrubs pulling tight around his arms and chest. “You can’t do this alone.”

“I don’t know how I can tell him, Logan. Emma is right, he’ll want to drop everything to help me, and I can’t do that to him.”

Lips thin, pressed tightly together, Logan shakes his head. “You don’t have to tell him, but you are going to need help. How often have you been sick this week?”

Sighing, I close my eyes, my head resting against the door. “Every morning, sometimes at lunch, and the occasional nighttime nausea.”

“Christ. Okay.” He pulls on my hand, bringing me into his chest where he wraps me up in a tight embrace. It’s comforting being supported by a strong body, and it’s times like these that I wish I was attracted to Logan. Because he is here. “We need to make you an appointment to see a doctor and then we will go from there.”

“We?”

He nods against my head. “Yes, we. You will not be doing this alone. I’m going to be there every step of the way.”

“Logan, that isn’t—”

“Try to stop me, Adalyn. Try to fucking stop me.”

Thank God Logan is here, because with every second that passes with my legs in these stirrups, my anxiety heightens and the need to cry consumes me.

He sits at my head and calmly strokes my forehead with one hand while the other holds my hand. “It’s going to be okay. We’ve been through this during college. They’re just going to do an internal ultrasound, make sure everything is okay, and then let us know about the blood work.”

“I know.” I take a deep breath, despite my breaths feeling shallow. “I’m just nervous. I haven’t told anyone but you and Emma and lying here, it makes it so much more real. What will my family say? The boys will want to kill Hayden.”

“We will deal with them together. As for now, let’s focus on the appointment and keeping hydrated.” He hands me my water bottle but I don’t take a sip. “Come on, Addie, please have a little.”

I shake my head. “I’ll throw it up. I’m feeling way too anxious right now, and my stomach is rolling.”

There is a knock on the other end of the door and Dr. Rose Dallas comes through the door, holding my chart. “Adalyn, how are you?”

“Pregnant,” I sigh.

She chuckles. “I can see that.” She looks over at Logan and asks, “I always thought you two had chemistry.”

“Oh, he’s not the father,” I quickly say, not wanting any gossip to spread around the hospital. “Logan is being a really good friend.”

“My apologies. Was the father not available?”

“You could say that.” I swallow hard, my mind going to what Hayden must be doing right now. Hanging out by the ocean, getting a great tan, watching bikini-clad women prance around in front of him. And here I am, about to be probed by a lubed-up stick.

Men have it so easy.

“Okay, well I’m glad Logan is with us today. It says you’ve had severe morning sickness over the last week and a half.”

“Yes, it’s been at least twice a day, sometimes three,” Logan answers for me, taking charge. “She hasn’t been able to keep food down, and hydrating has been a chore.” Smiling, Dr. Dallas gives Logan a once-over and then turns back to me.

“You have to make sure you’re drinking fluids, Adalyn. You know better than that.”

“I know.” I shut my eyes, calming my racing heart. “I’m going through a lot, and I think my anxiety is making me more nauseated than I need to be.”

“That can be a big factor in having hyperemesis gravidarum, extreme morning sickness. It’s also more common in first pregnancies.”

“How long do you think it’s going to last?”

“Unfortunately, there is no timeline for hyperemesis gravidarum. Women see a drop in nausea around week twenty, but there are the lucky women who continue to deal with morning sickness their entire pregnancy.”

“Bet I’ll be one of those lucky women,” I say sarcastically.

“It’s a possibility, especially if you can continue to stress your body with worry.”

“And what about her nursing schedule. Should she cut hours?”

“What?” I snap my head toward Logan. “I can’t cut down on hours. Are you insane? I have student loans to pay off and a child on the way.”

“But you’re working twelve-hour shifts, Adalyn. You’re not taking care of your body like you should and you’re extremely lethargic.”

“I’m going through a lot, okay? It will get better.”

Cutting in, Dr. Dallas asks, “Are you working seven to seven?” I nod. “It’s the best shift at the hospital. Just make sure you’re taking breaks, drinking as much electrolyte-replacement fluids as you can, peeing clear, and eating protein. Saltines when you’re feeling sick, but replenish with lots of protein.”

She goes over a few more things while getting the ultrasound ready. Suggesting I start taking more B6 vitamins and offering some holistic oils to help calm my anxiety, warning me if I don’t start taking care of my body, I could end up in the hospital as a patient rather than a nurse.