Surprise Delivery(78)

I’ve enjoyed every single minute we’ve spent together. When I’m not on duty at the hospital, I’m with her and Aurora. I’m still a little sketchy around babies, but I really feel like this little girl and I are bonding. There’s just something about her that resonates with me – something I can’t explain.

I mean, I’ve never been much for kids, honestly – mainly because I never thought I’d actually have the chance to be a father, so I never gave it much thought. But when I look into Aurora’s eyes and see the pure love that resides in them, I can’t help but feel a warmth in my heart. It’s as unexpected as what I feel for Alexis, but no less powerful and no less right.

We’re sitting at a little outdoor cafe, having a late lunch together. Though she was resistant to the idea at first, Alexis eventually gave in and let me pay for a babysitter, just so we could have a little adult time out together. I understand her being hesitant to leave Aurora alone, but we need some time for just each other too. Besides, we’re not going to be out all that long.

Although I love the three of us being out and about together – almost like a family – I do still crave time alone with Alexis.

The waitress brings our food to the table and drops it off, then refills our iced teas and leaves with a friendly smile. I pop a couple of fries into my mouth and give Alexis a goofy grin as I chew. She laughs, but I can tell that something is very clearly off – and I’m pretty positive it’s not about Aurora. Though, I could be wrong.

“Penny for your thoughts,” I say.

She chews on a fry and shrugs. “Just got a lot going on in my head right now.”

“The babysitter will call us if –”

She shakes her head. “It’s not that,” she interrupts.

“Then what is it?”

She lets out a breath and looks at me. “I’ve only got a couple of weeks of maternity leave left,” she says. “I’m really worried about what comes next.”

I take a bite of my burger and chew on it thoughtfully for a moment. Honestly, I already know the pitch I’m going to make – I’ve known for a little while now. I’ve just been waiting for the right time to pitch it and I think she’s giving me the perfect opening.

“Answer me this, and answer it honestly,” I say. “Do you want to go back to that firm?”

She finishes chewing her bite of the chicken sandwich she ordered and looks at me. I can see in her eyes that she dreads the very thought of it and that working in that place is killing her soul piece by piece. That breaks my heart for her. But it also angers me to no end. Alexis finally shakes her head.

“I really don’t want to,” she sighs. “That place is beyond awful. I just don’t have any choice in the matter. Not that they’re going to keep me very long anyway. The moment I set foot in that door again, the clock is going to start ticking. They’ll find a way to get rid of me. I can feel it, Duncan.”

“What if you did?” I ask. “Have a choice, that is.”

She scoffs. “Yeah, did you find me a magic lamp with a genie?”

I shrug. “In a manner of speaking, perhaps.”

“No, I’m not going to let –”

I hold my hand up to cut her off before she gets rolling. If there’s one thing I’ve learned about Alexis, it’s that once that train leaves the station and she gets a head of steam up, it’s almost as impossible to shut her down as it is to change her mind. She’s stubborn as hell – which is actually something I like about her.

“This isn’t a handout, this isn’t charity,” I say.

“Then, what is it?”

“I need an office assistant,” I tell her.

“Oh my God, are you even kidding me?” she laughs. “How is that not a handout or charity?”

I give her a crooked grin. “Because you’re going to work, Alexis,” I say. “This isn’t a figurehead position. It’s honest, real work.”

“Right,” she says. “And you’ll need me to do what exactly?”

I put my elbows up on the table and lean forward. There’s an idea I’ve been toying with for a while now and quietly, behind the scenes, I’ve been working to make it happen. I’ve finally gotten confirmation that all the necessary t’s have been crossed and i’s have been dotted. My plan is now not only viable but is beginning to come to fruition.

It’s something I’ve been working on but haven’t shared with anybody just yet. I haven’t wanted to say anything until the goal was in sight, just in case something fell through. But it looks like we’ve been cleared for takeoff.

“I’m opening my own clinic. A clinic where those in need can get medical attention,” I say. “I know that’s something that’s close to your heart. But it’s also something close to mine. The one thing that’s always irritated me about the medical field is that the wealthy always seem to get preferential treatment. That’s never set well with me, and I’m aiming to change it a bit. Or, at least, to do my part to help people in need.”

She looks at me, her eyes wide, her mouth hanging open. “Are you serious?”

I nod. “Yeah, I am,” I confirm. “Serious as a heart attack.”

“Oh my God, Duncan,” she murmurs. “Why am I only just now learning about this?’