got off the bed, went to the bathroom, and knocked, entering when he said to come in. Still in the shower, he opened the glass door. “You want to join me?” he asked, and she nodded, near tears. Lovemaking was the thing that would bring them together again.
***
Maybe it was just the knowledge that she was pregnant, or maybe it really was the hormones, but that week she could barely keep her eyes open. During the cases she scrubbed, she’d try to subtly march in place to stay awake, but most of the time it was a battle she’d lose, and then have to stifle a yawn every five minutes.
While she struggled to stay awake, Rich was counting down the days until his fellowship ended. Then, while she was scrubbed on a case with one of the partners, Rich was contacted by Mack Bushnell’s group, who offered him a job within the salary range he could accept.
“Are you going to surprise your wife? Because I know Mack is scrubbed with her today and is chomping at the bit to tell her.”
“Let me tell her,” Rich said, laughing. “I know that will drive Mack nuts.”
After working with him for five years, Rich knew Mack was a worse gossip than an old lady.
“And you know she’s pregnant, right? She’ll be happy we’re staying in Southern California so her parents can see the kid.”
“Congratulations!”
Pleased, Rich decided he was going to drive down to tell her before some bigmouth got to her, so when she pulled up into the garage, wishing she could just fall asleep in the car, he was there waiting for her.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, pushing the car door open.
“Surfside Surgical offered me a job.”
“Did you take it?”
“Yes, of course. What do you think?” he asked, laughing.
“Rich! Oh my god! I’m so happy for you. I’m just thrilled! Is that what you wanted? I hope you didn’t take it just for me.”
“Yes, it’s what I wanted,” he said, taking her in his arms. “I love it here. You love it here. Now Suzette and Fred can make plans, so we’ll have their help.”
“Congratulations! I’m so proud of you. I want to have a party.”
“Let’s just tell Aunt Roberta,” Rich said, laughing. “She’ll fix us right up. And we can make our announcement. You’re far enough along.”
“Oh, I don’t know. I kind of like having it be our secret.”
“It’s really not fair to them, though, because every Sunday they’re still saying ‘We’re praying for you!’ Give God a break.”
“Oh, okay,” she replied, giggling. “If you insist.”
“It’s not that I insist, but it’s just nice to tell them.”
He was right. He went back to LA the next morning and finished up the week. On Saturday, he moved out of the rental, back to San Diego, where he had two weeks’ vacation before his job started.
The next day, Roberta and Big Mike had a giant cake made for Rich. The cousins’ wives decorated the terrace with a banner printed with Congratulations to Our Favorite Surgeon!
Then, right before dessert was served, the time for making announcements, Rich stood up, pulling Alison up along with him.
“Everyone, thank you so much for your kind wishes. We are so happy to be staying here in San Diego but for more than just the job. We’re going to have a baby!”
All hell broke loose, with cries of joy and people getting out of their seats to surround the couple with hugs and well-wishes, and then Aunt Clare, who might have had more than her share of vino during dinner, made the faux pas of the afternoon.
“So, Alison! Are you going to be a mother or a father?”
Stunned silence spread over the diners like a pall.
“Clare!” It was her ex-husband, John Saint’s brother Charlie, who might have felt it was necessary to step in because Alison’s mother and father weren’t there that Sunday. He looked over at Alison.
“Congratulations, dear. We’re so happy for you.”
Everyone picked up on that, ignoring Clare, who was being admonished by her husband, Harry, who also called out congratulations.
“I want to answer,” Alison said. “It’s okay, Aunt Clare. I brought this on myself, thinking I could trust you to understand.” She looked out over the table. “You don’t know that I have cervical cancer.” She ignored the gasps of concern. “But I was given a clean bill of health and the green light to get pregnant. It was urgent to me to start my family before the cancer returns. I want a big family.
“Mother or father,