an amniocentesis at the end of your first trimester, which would be in about six weeks. If our calculations are correct. You will need to discuss that with Dr. Grubbs. She will be able to schedule that for you.”
I had to get out this room. I had to get home. I needed to see my kids. I couldn’t handle this news right now. After that dream with Declan and now this. I was going to have a baby. A baby. I was scared, excited, and nervous all wrapped into one. I tried to get up out of bed by myself, but I was still a little woozie.
Cade grabbed me and had me lay back down. “Take it easy, hon. We aren’t in a hurry. Let me help you get dressed.”
Cade and I had been very intimate, but the thought of him getting me dressed, just felt wrong. “That’s okay, I can do it.”
He took the hint and pulled the curtain closed around me. He placed my clothes on the edge of the bed, and then stepped out of the room.
I very slowly stood up, still holding on to the side of the bed. I stood there and got my bearings. I finally slipped my shirt over my head. I didn’t bother with my bra, too much work. I sat down on the bed and slid my jeans on.
About that time I heard Cade, “How ya doin’ in there, hon? Need help?”
I actually could use some help with my boots. “Yeah, could you help me put my boots on?”
Cade stepped around the curtain, “No problem, hon. Here lift your foot up a little.” He helped me get both boots on and then we waited for the nurse with the discharge papers to arrive. We sat in silence. Cade was in the chair across from me, while I sat on the bed.
I had to talk to Jaxon. The sooner the better.
Cade
How could I go from being over the moon happy to feeling lower than the mud on the bottom of someone’s boot in less than sixty seconds? Loralei Harper, that’s how. That woman just broke my heart. I had always dreamed of bein’ a daddy. I wanted that so bad. Ever since my parents died, I had wanted a family. I had my cousins, but I’d always wanted a kid. And for less than a minute, I had it. But of course she thinks it’s asshat’s baby.
We had used protection when we were together, but I just wanted this so damn bad. I really hoped it would be mine. I guess I would have to hang around a few weeks to find out. If that baby was mine, there was no fucking way Loralei Harper wouldn’t become mine too.
Loralei
“Cade, I really don’t want to talk about this right now.” We were on our way to my house from the hospital. My parents had the kids and were waiting for me at home.
“Hon, we need to talk about this now. I’m not leaving here until I know if that baby in your belly is mine. I know you keep tellin’ me you don’t feel a spark with me, but by God I feel one with you. I haven’t slept a wink since we parted in Joplin. I have been hurtin’, physically hurtin’, for you. You can’t tell me that you didn’t have a good time with me, hon. I know you did. And where the hell is asshat anyway? Why wasn’t he here for you when you needed him? Sure as hell wasn’t him driving you to the hospital. Or sitting up all night watching you sleep, just to make sure you were breathing okay. Where was he, huh, Loralei?”
I couldn’t even look at him. He was right. He was there for me when I needed him. And this baby could be his. But in my heart, I knew it was Jaxon’s. There wasn’t a question in my mind. No matter what had happened, I loved Jaxon, not Cade. And I had to tell him.
“Cade, you did make me happy. You were exactly what I needed at that point. But you are not my future. I’m so sorry, but I don’t love you. And I don’t believe that you love me either. I really think I’m more of a game to you. Something you can’t have, so you want it even more. I love him, Cade. And no matter what’s happened between he and I, that hasn’t changed. We may not end up