Like being underwater, she moved slowly toward him and slid her hands up his chest and around his neck. He lowered his head to kiss her mouth, and the world stood still. She couldn’t get close enough. No kiss was long enough. They’d gone beyond words to a place where hearts and desires had taken over.
It seemed as if they’d barely had a moment together when she heard a rap on the trailer door. “Sorry to bother you, Kellie. I’m heading over to the arena. See you soon.”
A sound of protest broke from Cy before he put her away from him. But he had to hold on to her so she wouldn’t fall. “I shouldn’t have started kissing you, Mrs. Vance.”
“I’d have died if you hadn’t, Mr. Vance.”
December 1
“I’VE BEEN NAUSEATED for the last couple of days, Dr. Shay. I’m supposed to leave for the Finals championship in Las Vegas tomorrow, but I need something to help me get over this flu fast.”
“You don’t have the flu, Mrs. Vance. You’re pregnant.”
Kellie came close to fainting. “Are you positive?”
“Your blood test didn’t lie.”
“But I’ve been on birth control pills for over a year to regularize my periods.”
“Even so, there are reasons why you weren’t protected. Women who become pregnant while taking an oral contraceptive either miss one or more doses, or you take a dose at a different time from the normal interval. If you took one in the evening instead of the morning, that can throw things off.”
She tried to think back. Had she done either of the things he’d just mentioned? Wait—the day of their marriage she might have taken the pill that night instead of that morning because she was so excited about meeting Cy. Maybe she did miss a dose or two. She simply couldn’t remember.
But one thing was certain. Her obstetrician couldn’t be wrong. She was going to have Cy’s baby. The news filled her with a joy beyond comprehension. But her nausea was so severe, she couldn’t possibly compete.
“I’ll give you some sample packets of nausea pills. You can take something before bed and see how it affects you. For some women it works after a few days. With others, you just have to wait until the nausea passes with time.”
“Thank you.”
When she got into her car, she had to sit there for a few minutes before she felt she could drive home to the condo. Once she got there, she lay down on the couch and phoned Cy. She had to leave a message on his voice mail.
“Darling? Please call me ASAP. It’s an emergency.”
Half an hour later he came bounding through the back door of the kitchen. “Kellie?”
“I’m here on the couch.”
He hurried into the living and knelt down by her. “You’re pale. What’s wrong?”
“I went to the doctor this afternoon. I thought I had the flu. Cy? We’re going to have a baby. It had to have happened on our wedding night.”
His eyes flared with a light she’d never seen before. “You’re pregnant?”
“I know it doesn’t seem possible, but the blood test didn’t lie. Even though I’m so nauseated I want to die, I’m so happy to be carrying your baby, you just can’t imagine.”
He looked anxious and vulnerable. She’d never seen him like this before. “I’m so sorry you’re feeling ill. What can I get you?”
“Some ice chips? I’ve taken one of the pills he gave me.”
“Anything.”
He was gone in a flash and brought some ice back in a cup. She put several chips on her tongue. “Will you phone the parents? We may need to postpone the wedding. Thank heaven the invitations haven’t gone out yet.”
Cy kissed her lips. “We’ll send wedding announcements instead and wait until you’re over your morning sickness before we have a reception.”
“Will you call Olivia in Colorado Springs tonight? Tell her I have to withdraw from Finals because we’re expecting. She’ll take care of everything.”
“Oh, Kellie—” He made a tortured sound in his throat. “To think my marrying you has caused you to miss the thing you’ve wanted most in life.”