“Everything’s fine, Mom. See? Your baby’s right here.”
It feels surreal. I’m staring at the screen and see the very clear outline of a baby moving around in her belly. I saw the positive pregnancy test—hell, I stood there while she took it and the subsequent six others I made her take—but this . . . this makes it that much more real.
“We can see there’s only one fetus, so no multiple births. The baby’s size and heartbeat are completely normal.” She talks through everything very calmly and then turns to face us.
“Did you want to find out the sex of the baby?”
We both stare at each other then back at her. I know it’s most likely too early to tell, but if there’s a chance . . .
“This is just an early prediction, so it’s not one 100%, but we can make an educated guess. It’s up to you or we can wait for a definitive answer at the 18-week scan.”
“I—I think I want to wait to know for sure,” Leigh says, looking up at me, and I nod.
“Okay, well, everything looks great. You’re doing fantastic, so just keep making sure you’re staying hydrated, taking your vitamins, and sleeping well.” She prints off the photos and hands them to us.
“Oh, I have one other question,” Leigh says as I help her into a sitting position. “Um, is it okay to continue with normally scheduled activities?” She looks apprehensive.
“You mean working out? Yes, obviously you need to be very aware of your body and don’t push things if you feel uncomfortable. We often recommend for mothers to stay active during pregnancy since it helps with labor, delivery, and the recovery process.”
Leigh nods, smiling softly. “Yeah, that, but also, um, sex? We can be a little—vigorous I guess would be the best way to put it.”
I look over at her, her cheeks reddening with embarrassment, but she refuses to make eye contact with me. I try my best not to chuckle at her question. It’s valid. My proclivities aren’t for the faint of heart, but I know not to push it in her condition.
The doctor laughs. “That’s a very common concern and I assure you, you’re fine with resuming your sexual activity. I think the only time it would be concerning is if we’d detected some issues with you or the baby or if you were participating in dangerous activities.” She looks between the both of us.
“I assure you, doctor, nothing dangerous.” I slide my hand to Leigh’s lower back and the doctor nods to us both before exiting the exam room.
“I didn’t know you were worried about our sex life.” I turn to face Leigh.
“Normally, I’m not, but I think we already have more sex than most, and lately it feels like you’ve been a lot more amorous than usual.” She blushes again and I slide my hand beneath her jaw, running my fingers along her skin.
“What can I say? I can’t get enough of you.”
“You look positively radiant.” I place my hands on Leigh’s waist, running my fingertips over the black silky material of her dress, which flows effortlessly over her body.
I step up behind her as she inserts her earrings, looking at the mirror in front of her. The gala we’re attending tonight is black tie, and I’ve been on pins and needles waiting to see Leigh in the black floor-length gown she let me pick out for her. The material swoops low across her chest, revealing just the perfect amount of cleavage and accentuating her delicate clavicles.
I release one of my hands from her waist, running my fingertip all the way down her exposed back to where the material begins just above her ass.
“Don’t.” She spins around to face me, her hand splaying across my chest. “I just finished my hair and makeup and don’t need you messing them up.”
“Tsk, tsk, where’s the fun in that?” I lean in closer, running my lips featherlight across the skin of her neck. She exhales softly, leaning her head a little to the side to give me better access. “Besides, you look so edible.” I tighten my hands on her hips, sliding them down to grab two handfuls of her ass.
“Grant,” she warns and I step back, releasing her body.
“Fine, but be warned: I plan on having my dessert later and I don’t intend to have just one serving.”
The event is boring, as I predicted. I fucking hate these things, but I know it’s for a good cause. If we can get these billionaire schmucks to part with even a tiny part of their fortunes, we can put in a new wing at the hospital.
“Doctor Rossi,” Amelia VanGuard purrs as she walks across the floor with her arms outstretched toward me.
Speaking of billionaires, the VanGuards own half of Denver and they’re always a top spender at these events. Amelia has a special interest in doctors—at least the ones who are younger than her. She’s been previously married to two plastic surgeons, and it’s clear she let them use her body as a canvas.
“Mrs. VanGuard, you look absolutely stunning,” I say, taking her hand and bringing it to my lips to avoid hugging her. She’s the touchy type, and after a few cocktails, her hands like to wander.
“Oh, Dr. Rossi, it’s Amelia. You know that.” She playfully smacks my chest, letting her fingers linger a little too long for comfort.
Her short cropped hair is dyed an unnatural candy red, which matches her long pointy fingernails. Her thinning leathery skin is pulled taut across her bony frame, accentuating her obviously fake breasts and overfilled lips. She’s only a few years older than me but could pass for my aunt.
“Dr. Rossi.” Her husband, Niles VanGuard, steps up beside her, clearly annoyed by her antics but also used to them at the same time. He’s got 30 years on her, which is evident by his thinning white hair and deep-set wrinkles.
“Sir,” I say, placing my hand in his. I attempt to schmooze with him but Amelia is intent on stealing our attention.
“When are you going to come to our mountain retreat?” Amelia coos as she sways and bobs her skeletal frame around my body like her husband isn’t standing two feet from us. He’s completely unfazed, rolling his eyes at her behavior and giving me a helpless we both know I can’t do anything to help you shrug.
I glance over and spot Leigh watching us, a coy smirk on her face. I glare at her. She’s getting a kick out of this.
“Oh, I want to introduce you to someone,” I say to both VanGuards as I raise my arm and motion for Leigh to come over to us. She shakes her head at first but then sees the pleading look in my eyes and relents.
“This is my wife, Leigh,” I say, wrapping my arm around her waist and pulling her against me tightly as Amelia’s countenance falls.
“I didn’t know you were married,” she gasps, clutching at the giant diamond hanging from her neck.
“And expecting,” I say placing my hand on Leigh’s lower belly. I see her head whip to look at me in surprise before accepting Amelia’s hug as she pulls her in almost violently.
We go through the general congratulatory conversations for a few moments before Amelia is already distracted by a younger doctor and goes flitting through the room, her poor husband trudging behind her.
I can’t take much more of this party. I’m itching to get my hands and tongue on every single inch of Leigh, and it’s starting to make me irritated that I can’t. I grab her elbow, walking her quickly across the great hall of the Denver Museum of Nature & Science and up two escalators.