Ryley's Revenge (Gloves Off #2)(46)

“Good evening,” I replied back.

She came around to the side of the bed and held out her hand, a genuine smile splayed across her face. “I’m Dr. Clarice Morgan. I’ll be the one taking care of you tonight.”

“Ashleigh,” I said, taking her hand. “Nice to meet you.”

“Likewise. Although, I hate we have to meet on these terms.” She then shook Ryley’s and Gabriella’s hands before immersing herself in my chart. “It says here you haven’t seen your gynecologist yet, but your urine results confirm you are indeed pregnant.”

I nodded. “Yes. I had an appointment to see my doctor in Aspen, but then I came back here and had to cancel. I’ve been trying to take care of myself though.”

Dr. Morgan smiled and set the chart down on the table. “Have you had any more pains since you’ve been here?”

“It comes and goes, but it intensifies when I’m upset.”

“I see.” She moved closer but then glanced over at Gabriella and Ryley, then back to me. “I’m going to do your exam now. You’re more than welcome to have your guests stay.”

“Actually,” Gabriella interrupted. “I’m going to step outside. I think this time needs to be with just them.” She smiled at me and nodded toward the door. “I’m just out here.”

After she disappeared and shut the door, the doctor proceeded. “All right, Miss Warren, if you wouldn’t mind moving down as far as you can for me, please.” At the edge of the bed, she pulled out the stirrups and my gut clenched. I hated those things. I’d heard that by the time you deliver a baby, you’re used to airing your hoo-ha to every stranger donning a white coat, but I wasn’t there yet.

I scooted down to the edge and put my feet in the holders. Dr. Morgan stayed by my side and lifted the hospital gown above my stomach and placed her hands on me. It hurt when she pressed down, but it wasn’t bad. My muscles were tight, tender. As soon as she was done, she strolled over to the sink and washed her hands before putting on a pair of gloves. Standing between my legs, she squirted the lubricating jelly on her fingers and gently inserted them. Tensing, I looked up at Ryley and he reassured me by giving a small smile. Once she was done feeling around, she removed her gloves and lowered my gown.

“The good thing is, you’re not bleeding. If you ever have pains with bleeding, you need to call immediately. So far, everything looks normal. We’re going to do an ultrasound to make sure though.” She opened my chart and started jotting down notes. “From what I could tell, it looks like you’re around eight weeks along.”

Eight weeks? If that was correct . . . Ryley was definitely the father. Breathing a sigh of relief, I relaxed and grinned up at him. I could tell he was relieved too. “So when would my due date be?” I asked.

She pulled out some kind of chart from her pocket and studied it. “Well, let’s just see now. It looks like you’ll be due on February the seventh, but the ultrasound will confirm.”

I gasped and so did Ryley. “Are you serious?” he asked.

It was his birthday. Needless to say, it was Camden’s as well, but I didn’t give a shit about that. What I did care about was that our child could be born on the same day Ryley came into the world.

Dr. Morgan chuckled, “Let me guess, it’s your birthday?” He beamed and nodded his head. “It’s crazy how that happens sometimes.” She stared down at me and grew serious. “I’m going to give you a prescription for prenatal vitamins. Make sure you take one every day.

“Also, these pains you’re having seem to be just your typical pregnancy pains. When mothers get stressed, sometimes the pain increases, especially now that your body is stretching and expanding to accommodate your little one. Try to minimize the stress. I can’t tell you enough how important that is. Stay away from your triggers. We need to make sure it doesn’t happen again.”

“It won’t,” I replied.

“Good.” Grabbing my file, she smiled at us both and stopped by the door. “I’ll be back after the ultrasound to answer any more questions you might have. I’ll let Karen know you’re ready.” When she left it was like the entire burden had been lifted off my shoulders. It was an amazing feeling.





Karen ended up being a short, rotund lady with the funniest laugh I’d ever heard. When she saw Ryley, she immediately blushed and couldn’t stop talking to him. It ended up being that she recognized him because her son watched UFC fights all of the time.

“My son will never believe I met you,” she giggled. The ultrasound machine was ready and I silently groaned when she whipped out a wand that looked like a long, freaking penis. She even rolled what looked to be a condom down over it.

“All right, sweetheart, this might be a bit uncomfortable and cold, but at least you get to see your little one for the first time.” The monitor sprung to life and I winced when she slid the wand inside me. It didn’t hurt, but it felt odd being probed by a woman with Ryley in the room. His focus was just on the screen. However, I had no clue what the hell I was looking at.

Karen turned the monitor up and I shrieked when I heard the rapid beating sound. “Oh my God . . . is that?”

She chuckled and nodded. “Yes it is, sweetie. That’s your baby’s heartbeat.”