Stalemate by Dahlia Rose Read Free Book Online Page A

and they, of course, pissed me off. But you can be assured that Isa’s health and the health of our children is of the utmost importance to me.”
    Dr. Allary inclined his head. “Very well, but please know I will be her heath care provider and I will be watching. Isa, I want you on bed rest for the next few weeks. No heavy lifting, no exercise, not a lot of up and down stairs. Basically, I want to you lie there, eat, and put on some weight. Your body is telling you that there are three people who need nutrition now. Eat healthy, but splurge sometimes with ice cream, maybe a burger and some fries.”
    Isa nodded. “Okay, I’m on it.”
    “You’re going to be admitted for a day or two until I’m sure the spotting has stopped.” Ben patted her covered leg. “Now I need you to eat and rest, someone will be here soon with a hot meal.”
    “Tell me what you want to eat and I’ll have it here in ten minutes,” Bryce said.
    “Even better,” Ben said with a smile. “Hospital food isn’t the greatest. I’ll check in on you later today.”
    “Thanks, Ben,” Isa said. Everyone was silent when he left the room.
    “I’m going to grab a cab and head home. Its four a.m. and I need some sleep.” Tawny kissed her cheek. “Bake those babies, mama.”
    “I will,” Isa promised.
    “Use my car. My driver is parked downstairs. I’ll call him and let him know to pull around,” Bryce said. “He can pick up whatever you want to eat, Isa.”
    “Waffle house, ham and cheese omelet with hash browns, capped, peppered, and smothered oh and a waffle,” Isa said quickly, and the shrugged when they stared at her. “I’m hungry and I’ve been craving that all week.”
    Bryce smiled. “Then you’ll have it.”
    Tawny said her goodbyes and Bryce called down to his driver. Isa lay back, happy to know her babies were doing well. She was still trying to get over the initial shock that she was having twins. The medicine they gave her to ease her pain still had her groggy but hunger was her primary concern at that moment.  Bryce came back over to the bed. They were very much alone.
    “You’ll have your food in about thirty minutes after David takes Tawny home,” Bryce said.
    “Thank you.”
    “I’d like you to consider staying with me,” Bryce said gently.
    “Thought I’d be doing that after the wedding anyway.”
    “Let’s put that on the back burner for now. I can’t help but think that our whole situation of either open warfare or tense truces is the cause of your stress. I’d like for you to stay with me, but I want it to be your choice. I can take care of you there and you won’t have to worry about those steep iron stairs you climb. I want to get to know you and watch our children grow in your belly, if you’d allow me to.  After the babies are born, we can revisit our situation and see where we want to go from there.”
    “Seriously? You’re not kidding, right?” Isa asked hopefully.
    Bryce laughed. “I’ve never seen a woman so happy not to be getting married, but yes, I’m serious.”
    Isa smiled. “Sorry, but it wasn’t on my top ten things to do. Its not like I had a list and there was a check beside get pregnant and married to a guy who I hardly know.”
    “Then let’s get to know each other where you’re safe and, as Tawny said, bake those babies,” Bryce took her hand. “I’m not a man who is accustomed to saying please, but I’m saying it now. Please, Isa.”
    She nodded. “Okay, let’s give it a whirl.”
    “One more thing,” Bryce said hesitantly.
    “Uh-oh what’s the catch?”
    “No catch. Can I.... You let Tawny rub your tummy, and each time I see you, I just want to... Shit, can I rub your stomach?” he finally blurted out.
    “You won’t be able to feel anything. I barely feel it except now I know there are two swimming around in there.”
    Bryce looked at her. “I know, I guess I just want to feel where they’re safe and growing. When Tawny called me, my heart