“It’s not just us,” she replied. “We’ve got agents in San Francisco, Los Angeles, and Seattle looking for facilities. We considered building our own, but with all the empty office space out there right now, it doesn’t make sense. We’re also researching equipment for the rehab centers. As for the fundraising, you can thank Dane for that. He’s brought us the bulk of our major contributors.”
Dane held up his hands to ward off the praise. “I handed over a list of names, but between the two of them, Lyssa and Cal are the ones doing the work of a staff of ten.”
Gideon looked at them all, and Cal thought he saw tears in the big guy’s eyes. “When I asked you to head this foundation, Cal, I had no idea it would grow into something like this, let alone in little more than three months. You and Lyssa have turned my vision into something extraordinary. I’ll never be able to thank you both enough.”
Lyssa smiled. “You don’t need to thank us. Trust me, it’s our pleasure.”
“And we’ve still got a long way to go,” Cal added as he tried to focus on the foundation rather than Gideon’s anger coming his way in the very near future. “You can hold off on any big thank-yous until we get there.”
“That’s not going to happen,” Gideon said with a shake of his head. “Like Dane said, you’ve been working your tails off. And I have an edict from on high—AKA, Rosie. With Christmas coming up in a couple of weeks, I’ve been tasked with ordering the two of you to take some time off.”
“I don’t need time off,” Lyssa protested. “I love this job.”
“I’m glad,” Gideon said. “But the last thing I want is for either of you to burn out. Plus, Rosie will be furious with me if she hears I couldn’t convince you to take time off for the holidays.”
Though Lyssa hadn’t had morning sickness, Cal was still concerned she might not be getting enough rest. Especially given that she seemed to be running twice as fast in her efforts to avoid him. He knew exactly how that was, because he’d done the same thing only weeks before, when he’d been trying to control his baser urges.
On his own, Cal would never have been able to convince her to take a few days off. Thank God for Rosie and Gideon.
“All right, Gideon,” he said before she could protest again. “You’re on. We’ll both dial things back for a few days and do a little recharging.”
“But what about the gala?” Lyssa appealed to Dane. “There’s so much to do.”
Dane didn’t look the least bit worried. “I’ll put my people on it. You’re an amazing accountant and a business wizard, Lyssa. I never expected you to take on the role of event coordinator too. You and Cal have been going nonstop. Gideon’s right—take a little break to have some fun. You’ll come back even more ready and raring to go if you’re fresh.”
At last, she reluctantly agreed.
Cal hoped this would finally be their chance to figure out their future together.
Not simply as co-parents, but as so much more.
* * *
It was the big day they’d been waiting for. The obstetrician was a couple of blocks from the office, and they decided to walk, pulling on winter coats against the blustery day.
Once they were outside, Lyssa was surprised when Cal put his hand on the small of her back to help direct her through the heavy foot traffic in downtown San Francisco. Despite her vow not to lose her heart to him again, she couldn’t fight how much she loved his touch, the way he moved with her as though they belonged to each other.
For the past two weeks, she’d been going out of her way to avoid him. This was the first time he’d touched her since that brief moment on the plane when he’d put his hand over hers. The faint touch, even through her clothes, fired up every one of her senses. And reminded her not to let her lingering longings for him tip her over to the dark side, where she handed him her heart only to have it crushed all over again.
A short while later, both Cal and Lyssa were ushered into the doctor’s office. They shook Dr. Sanjay’s hand and took a seat. The doctor was around Cal’s age, and Lyssa liked her friendly smile and the sparkle in her eyes.
Fingers on the keyboard of her computer, Dr. Sanjay asked, “You’re here because you believe you’re pregnant?”
Lyssa nodded. “I took five different pregnancy tests. They all said the same thing.”
The doctor laughed. “Not quite a record for my patients, but fairly close.” Then she went through a list of questions about what Lyssa ate and drank and whether she or her parents had any medical conditions that should be noted.
Then she asked Lyssa to pee in a cup, and when she returned from the bathroom, the doctor dipped a stick into it. The stick turned blue.
“Congratulations, you’re definitely pregnant. You also look to be in marvelous shape, so having this baby likely won’t be any problem for you. I do want to mention, however, that while you’ve said you haven’t had any morning sickness, it might still happen toward the end of the first trimester. Now, why don’t you move to the exam table for an ultrasound? Since you’re wearing a skirt, if you’re comfortable with removing your underwear, I’ll place a sheet over your lower body while I do the internal exam and take pictures using the ultrasound wand.”
Nodding, Lyssa did as the doctor suggested, feeling herself flush as she slipped off her panties with Cal there watching. It made no sense to feel shy after everything they’d done together, but she still found that she was.
“We can usually hear the baby’s heartbeat between eight and ten weeks. You’re right on the cusp, so don’t be disappointed if we don’t hear anything. If not today, you’ll hear the heartbeat at our next visit.”
“I’m very hopeful.” Cal grinned, so eager to hear his baby’s heartbeat that Lyssa’s knees went weak. Good thing she was already in the stirrups.
Lyssa felt more than a little awkward as the doctor slid the ultrasound wand inside her with Cal right beside her, holding her hand. But her slight discomfort with the situation quickly disappeared when the doctor spoke.
“Goodness, we’re in luck today.” She beamed at both of them as she briefly looked away from the ultrasound’s screen. “It’s always lovely when a couple are both here to witness the heartbeat together for the first time. In another ten weeks or so, we should also know the baby’s sex—that is, if you would like to know.”
Though a part of Lyssa’s brain stumbled over the doctor’s inaccurate use of the word couple, the faint but steady ba-bump, ba-bump, ba-bump coming through the machine’s speakers quickly stole all of her attention.
Elation like she’d never experienced rushed through her. Her heart raced, thrill bumps covered her arms, and tears pricked her eyes.
She looked at Cal. His face was a mask of wonder, his lips slightly parted, his eyes bright with unfettered joy.
He took her hand, squeezing her fingers, and looked at her with awe. “We did this, Lyssa. We made a baby together,” he whispered.
In his eyes, with her hand in his, she felt the most amazing connection she’d ever known in her life.
* * *
After the appointment, Lyssa couldn’t stop staring at the sonogram the doctor had given them.