Need You Now (Martha's Way Series Book 2) by Mika Jolie Read Free Book Online Page B

full term had not once crossed her
mind. And of course there’d be a heartbeat. She had ten tests at home proven
she was very pregnant. “I’m keeping the baby,” she said in a low voice. There
had to be a way to deal with her family. Maybe move somewhere very far. Now tha t was a tempting option. She looked at Dr. Mason. “Why the ultrasound? I took ten tests.”
    The
doctor leaned forward. “There are occasions when there’s no fetal heartbeat in
a pregnancy. That usually ends in a natural miscarriage or a dilation and
curettage .”
    She knew
what a D&C procedure was, but shit, she hadn’t thought of that possibility.
All the emotions bottled inside paused for a moment as Lily processed this
information. “I see.” But really, she didn’t.
    Paige
squeezed her shoulder. “That will take a few minutes.
After that, we can do all the required blood work and go from there. Come to
the front desk when you’re ready. In the meantime I’ll have the technician set
everything up for you.” With a comforting smile Dr. Mason and Paige slipped out
of the room.
    Once
alone, Lily slipped off the table and reached for her purse.  She choked
on the lack of oxygen she had and released a deep breath in an attempt to stay
calm, but the motion made her dizzy. Fear of what she may have to face alone
consumed her.
    Th e key to the Benz convertible fumbled between her fingers.
Heartbeat— the word repeated over and over in her head. The possibility that the life forming
inside of her had a chance to never experience living scampered through her
thoughts. She let out a shak y breath and
was about to exit the room when she almost crashed into Paige.
    “Lily, I’m going to be in the room with you. I don’t have
to, but I want to. And no is not an option.”
    In spite
of the situation, she appreciated Paige’s offer. “You don’t have to do that. I can go alone.”
    Paige
shook her head. Her face set with determination. “Nonsense.” She closed the door
behind her for privacy. “I know I’m closer to your brothers than you, but I
consider you to be a friend.” She paused and clasped Lily’s hands i n hers, no longer playing the role of a nurse but a friend.
“I would never break patient-doctor confidentiality and tell your brothers any
of this. This is for you to tell your family when you’re ready. I promise I
won’t ask how, who, what,” she finished w ith a
reassuring smile. “You shouldn’t have to do this alone.”
    Alone . The word bit through her.
She had never considered herself alone before. She was surrounded by friends,
family, and maybe even Adam to some level. Only he wasn’t the lean-on-me type.
Fro m that aspect, she was indeed alone. All they had
was a physical connection. Nothing
more.
    Her
shoulders dropped in defeat. Feeling powerless over the present or the future,
she answered with a small nod, surrendering to the support offered. “I
appreciate it, Paige. Thank you,” she whispered just
before the tears she had bravely tried to hold back began to cascade down her
cheeks.

 
    * * * *

 
    Less
than one hour later and exactly six weeks pregnant, Lily sat in her car and
scanned through the pamphlets one last time. A
prescription of prenatal vitamins had been called in to her pharmacy which she
had to pick up. Two weeks after the wedding she had a follow-up visit. She sent
Paige a thank you text before dialing Minka’s number. To her relief her friend
picke d up on the first ring.
    “There
you are,” Minka greeted her on the other line. “I’m so looking forward to
seeing you. How long has it been since we last saw each other?”
    “A
little over two months,” she replied. And six weeks since she last saw Adam.
    “Lily,” Minka’s voice automatically switched to concern on the
other end of the phone. “What’s going on? Are you still coming tomorrow?”
    That was
the kind of friendship they had. Words were not usually needed to detect when
the other was in distress, even miles a