The Doctor's Damsel in Distress

He must have seen the panic in her expression, because his own expression gentled. “I take it you’ve not had a period?”

She wanted to lie, to tell him that of course she had because she wasn’t pregnant. But she couldn’t.

“I’m a little late. But I’m sure it’s just stress.”

He nodded as if she’d only confirmed what he already knew. What she already knew. That she hadn’t had a menstrual period and wouldn’t.

Because she was pregnant with his baby.

Levi wondered what was taking Madison so long. The test box had said three minutes. She’d been in his bathroom for over fifteen.

His bathroom because she hadn’t wanted to do the test where Karen might see.

Not that her roommate didn’t know exactly what had happened between them. Even if Madison hadn’t told her, how could she not when Madison had looked like death on a cracker for days?

Beautiful and pale and fragile and pregnant?

Her hollowed-out look had filled him with guilt, had haunted him, mocked him with reminders of how his mother had looked after she and his father had split.

His father. Levi dropped his head into his hands. Lord, what was he going to do about his father? The man was his only living family.

Or was he?

Unable to wait another moment, he knocked on his bathroom door. “Madison, you okay?”

Nothing. Not a single sound.

“Madison?”

Was she still freaked out about his impromptu marriage proposal? He was still freaked out about his impromptu marriage proposal.

He’d never expected to hear those particular words leave his mouth. Not ever. Had his father’s mocking question planted the idea in his head? Was that why the words had slipped out?

Madison had given him every opportunity to retract them, had practically demanded that he do so.

And he hadn’t.

Because he didn’t want to.

If she was pregnant with his baby, he wanted to marry her, to give their child his name.

To raise their baby by her side.

He’d watched her with patients at the hospital. She’d make a good mother.

Which was a good thing since he wasn’t so sure what kind of father he’d be. Just look at the example he’d had.

But he would love any child he’d helped create, of that he had no doubt. Had they made a baby?

He pounded on the door again. “Madison?”

Still nothing.

Growing concerned at her silence, he twisted the doorhandle. Locked. “Madison, unlock the door.”

That was when he heard it.

A muffled sob.