I stare blankly at her. “Is that a good thing?”
She smiles. “That’s perfect. I need you to change into this hospital gown then put this blanket over your lap so you’ll be ready for the exam. I’ll let Dr. Bennett know you’re ready.”
My mouth feels like it’s full of cotton balls, so I simply nod as she disappears through the door. Pushing themselves up from their seated positions, Anthony announces, “We’ll wait out in the hall while you change,” then they close the door softly behind them, leaving me alone in the sterile room.
Change my clothes. I can do that.
Like a robot, I strip down then slip the itchy material over my bare skin.
Breathe, Marcy.
The paper on the exam table crinkles as I sit back down and place the white piece of cloth over my lap. The silence in the room is heavy, but I soak it up like a dry sponge and close my eyes.
A loud knock makes me jump seconds later before I squeak out, “Come in.”
The door opens. “Hey, I found a few strays in the hall. Do they belong to you?”
I freeze, my tongue losing all sense of how to form words as I take in the sexiest doctor I’ve ever seen in my entire life. In fact, I’m pretty sure he escaped from the set of Grey’s Anatomy to be here today.
Am I being Punk’d?
“Do you mind if they join us for the appointment?” he prods with a sexy smirk. There’s no way this guy doesn’t know what he does to his patients. “I’ll send them out when I do the internal exam, though.”
Eyes widening, my cheeks heat as I register what the hell he just said. Internal exam? With a guy that looks like that?
Kill me. Kill me now.
I haven’t had sex in at least six months, but at least I got all spiffied up down there for the embryo transfer, so there won’t be a bush or anything. Still. This is just mean. I’m going to kill Dylan the next time I see her. She’d mentioned he was good looking. But she didn’t mention he could melt the panties off a nun, let alone a hormonal pregnant woman!
A dry chuckle escapes him as he glances over his shoulder at Sway and Anthony. “Is she always this quiet?”
Sway hides her smile behind her hand before fanning herself when Dr. Bennett turns back to me, causing my face to burn even brighter.
“You okay?” Dr. Bennett strides closer, inspecting me with those flinty brown eyes. “You look a little––”
“I’m fine. And yup. They can come in. They’re the parents.”
Cocking his head to the side, he waits for me to continue instead of jumping to conclusions, proving that he’s thoughtful too.
I drop my gaze down to my hands and twist the fabric in my lap in hopes of being able to focus when the guy in front of me is way too distracting. “I, uh, I explained this over the phone when I made the appointment, but maybe you didn’t get the message. I’m a surrogate. An oven?” My laugh is awkward as hell as I point to Sway and Anthony, who are hovering near the doorway. “They’re the parents.”
“Oh. Yeah, of course. The receptionist mentioned it, but it had slipped my mind. I apologize––”
“Not a big deal. I know it’s a little bit of an unconventional situation….”
“Not at all. I mean, yes, you’re the first surrogate I’ve ever worked with, but I think it’s great. I’m sure you’re all very anxious to hear that little baby’s heartbeat, so let’s dive right in, shall we?”
“Yes, thank you.”
“Alright, then. Marcy, will you lie back for me?” His giant left palm touches my shoulder as he guides me into a supine position. “Perfect. Could you raise the bottom of your gown so we can check your stomach? Keep the blanket over your lap, though. We don’t need to give anyone a show quite yet.” He winks, causing my anxiety to turn up another notch.
Why is he so damn good looking?
With a quick peek over at the intended parents, I slide my gown up to my ribs and smile softly when I’m reminded of why I’m really here.
Anthony’s hand is cupping Sway’s jaw as he rests his forehead against hers and closes his eyes to give me a little privacy. He did the same thing when they did the embryo transfer. So conscientious. So respectful. So supportive. They both are.
Despite the nerves, and the daily shots of hormones I had to take at the beginning of this adventure, it’s moments like this that remind me why I decided to do this.
Because of them.
What they’ve been through would tear some couples apart, but their trials have only brought them closer together. I’m so glad that I can––hopefully––give them the one thing they desperately want and desperately deserve.
In a way, I envy them. They love each other unconditionally. It doesn’t matter the obstacles thrown at them. They’ll handle each and every one of them.
Together.
And even though I might not ever have a love like that…at least I know that I was able to give one a little piece of me.
“I’m decent, you two,” I announce with a grin before catching Dr. Bennett staring down at me. Those same steely brown eyes bounce around my face as if he’s trying to piece something together, although I have no idea what it is. Sucking my lips into my mouth, I swallow my smile and let him continue his perusal while knowing exactly what he sees.
An average girl with a round face, a few freckles, and laugh lines around her green eyes. Nothing hideous by any means, but nothing out of the ordinary either.
I’m just…me.
“So, uh…”––he tears his gaze away from mine––“let’s get started. How have you been feeling?”
I clear my throat. “Fine so far. No morning sickness…yet.”
“It’ll probably hit soon. For most people, it shows up around six weeks and sticks around until twelve weeks or so. However, some people get by without feeling any morning sickness at all, so you could be one of the lucky ones. How’s your support at home?”
“I live by myself so…good?”
“No boyfriend or anything?”
Sway snorts before covering it with a cough. “Sorry, allergies.”
Jaw tightening, Dr. Bennett rubs his hands together and drops the subject. “I’m going to give you an external exam right now, then we’ll check for the heartbeat. The baby might still be a bit too small to hear it quite yet, so don’t stress if we don’t find one right away. After that, we’ll excuse the parents, and I’ll get a nurse in here so we can do the internal exam. Sound okay?”
Internal exam. Internal exam. Internal exam.
“Yup,” I force out while trying to ignore the butterflies that are currently assaulting my gut without mercy.
His hands are warm as they practically engulf my stomach while checking my organs to make sure…. I have no idea what he’s checking. My stomach quivers under his touch, but I tell myself I’m just nervous in general. It has nothing to do with the hot doctor who’s touching me. Nope. Not a bit. Besides, I was nervous before Dr. Bennett made his entrance, so it’s not like he has anything to do with those stupid butterflies attacking my gut, right?
The heat from his touch disappears as his deep, husky voice explains, “Everything looks good so far. I’m going to squirt some stuff onto your stomach, and then we’ll get to the good part.”