The Boy Toy - Nicola Marsh Page 0,85
closer eye on your blood pressure, blood glucose levels, and urine for protein and sugar.”
Samira nodded, having already read up on “geriatric pregnancy” over the age of thirty-five. While the risk factors terrified her—stillbirth, chromosomal defects, low birth weight, prematurity, labor complications, as well as the diabetes and preeclampsia the doctor had mentioned—all she could feel right now was bone-deep relief that her precious baby was okay.
The doctor glanced at her watch. “I’d like to keep you in overnight, because as much as I don’t want to scare you, the risk of miscarrying after an incident like tonight’s is higher. So rest up, and I’ll check in with you in the morning.”
“Thanks,” Samira said, while Kushi added, “Thank you, Doctor.”
When Dr. Englehart left, Samira turned to her mother. “Mom, I don’t know what I would’ve done if you hadn’t been with me tonight, so I think now’s as good a time as any to tell you I’m moving back to Melbourne.”
A smile of pure joy spread across Kushi’s face. “That’s wonderful, betee. I’m so happy.”
“This little one needs his or her grandmother.” Samira placed a hand over her belly. “And I need my mom.”
This time, they shed tears of joy, and Samira knew she’d made the right decision, for all of them. Almost miscarrying clarified her plans like nothing else. She been terrified of losing this baby, and she couldn’t do this on her own.
Now, she had to break the news to Rory.
That was when it hit her. She hadn’t thought about him until now. For the last few hours, she’d been so focused on her baby, she hadn’t given a thought to the baby’s father and how he would feel if they lost their baby.
She had to call him. Tomorrow.
For now, she’d try to relax and get through the next twenty-four hours, focusing all her positive energy on ensuring this baby stayed put.
Thirty-Nine
You have to stop stalking me like this.”
The deep, familiar voice roused Samira from her doze, and she opened her eyes to find Manish grinning at her, looking dapper in his white coat and stethoscope draped around his neck.
“What are you doing here?”
She struggled into a sitting position and glanced around the room, looking for Kushi.
“I sent your mom to the cafeteria for something to eat. She looked pale and tired.”
“It’s been a long night.” She winced. “I had a miscarriage scare.”
His smile vanished as he nodded, grave. “I saw your notes. You came through the ER, and I always go through last night’s cases for handover.”
“Ah, right,” she said, feeling oddly comforted that she’d chosen the hospital where he worked to check in last night.
It hadn’t really registered at the time, but it had the best reputation in Melbourne, and it had seemed like the natural choice. In a way, she was glad he hadn’t been on duty in the ER last night, because that would’ve been too weird. Friendship and medical emergencies didn’t mix.
“You’re feeling okay?”
“Yeah, but only slightly less terrified than last night.”
He nodded. “We’re going to discharge you shortly, but come back if you’re worried at all.”
He laid a hand on her lower leg. “Or better yet, call me.”
She smiled her gratitude, and of course that was the moment her mom chose to enter the room. Her astute gaze zeroed in on Manish’s hand touching her, and she positively beamed.
Samira wriggled a little, and he removed his hand, but not before shooting her a cheeky wink that said he knew exactly what Kushi was thinking: she should book the reception venue immediately.
“Have you eaten, Auntie?”
Kushi visibly melted under the onslaught of Manish’s concern. “Yes, Manish, thank you.” She turned to Samira and sent her a pointed look. “He’s such a nice boy.”
Samira bit back a groan. Only her mother could turn a horrid hospital visit into a matchmaking opportunity.
“He is, Mom. Manny’s a good friend.”
Kushi’s scoffing pfft made Manish smile.
“He could be so much more if you had half a brain in your head,” Kushi said, waggling her ring finger, while Samira felt heat scorch her cheeks.
“Mom, he’s right there.”
“I know, and that’s why I’m speaking my mind.” Kushi waved her hand between them. “Samira is moving back home to Melbourne. She’s having a baby. She needs a good man to be her husband, and I think that is you, Manish.”
Manny’s grin widened, and Samira shot him a death glare. “You are right, Auntie. I am a good man. But alas, I have offered to marry your daughter, and she has refused me.