“What did you find out now?”
He looked up and gave her his bright, fake smile. “Nothing.” He shoved his phone in his pants pocket.
“Simon.”
“I don’t want this to be about him right now, all right? This is about you and me and getting to hear the baby’s heartbeat for the first time.” He held out his hand to her. “Ready to go, Mama?”
She linked their fingers. “You’re going to slip up and call me that in front of people.”
“Maybe we should just tell everyone. I mean, we’re done with the European leg. What can they say? We’re not the first to get knocked up in this group.”
“Yes, but you saw our summer lineup. It’s going to be insane.”
“And if they knew you were pregnant, then they’d have to adjust some dates or—”
“Or did you forget how you guys were discussing it was the perfect time to tour since no one was pregnant? Jazz even agreed to hold off on trying for another one until next year. Oh, and remember how vocal you were about it?”
He made a little humming sound.
That was her husband. He didn’t like to think about the logistics of things. And while she loved and appreciated his freewheeling nature, right now it wasn’t going to work. And for more reasons than just their pregnancy. She let it go as they traveled down to the parking garage. She listened to him spout his random facts about the latest baby book he’d read.
It filled the time and calmed her nerves. They were using the same birthing center her sister, Juliet, had decided to go with. Their security and doctors were rated the best in the state. From underground parking to a private elevator, they were able to go incognito from the jump. There was also a front door for those who didn’t need the subterfuge.
They checked in then were directed to the waiting room. It was bright and cheery with butter-yellow walls and white accents. A bookcase full of books, both fiction and non-fiction, were there for patients. Baby books, of course, as well as a few of the latest bestsellers and current magazines.
Simon dragged her over to the bookcase. “I don’t have that one. Do you think they’d let me rent it or something?”
She laughed. “You know you can use that fancy phone of yours for more than spying on your little brother.”
He just arched his brow at her. She dug her phone out of her purse and went to her Amazon app. “Give me the book.”
He held it against his chest.
She rolled her eyes and moved his arm to get to the barcode.
“What are you doing? Are you a store now?”
“No, but you can use the barcode and…” She turned the phone around. “See? Voila. I’ll have it sent to the penthouse.”
“What is that sorcery?”
“Modern technology—ooh.”
“Mr. and Mrs. Kagan?” A woman came in, just as cheery as the room. She even had sunny blond hair to match.
He wrinkled his nose at Margo and shoved the book back onto the shelf. “That’s us.”
“Doctor Jensen will see you now.” She led them down a hallway and set a yellow cotton gown on the bench. “Just get undressed and she’ll be right in.”
Margo nodded. “Thanks.”
She looked around the room at the photographs of children and the posters with far too many details for her peace of mind. Of course Simon went right to the illustration of the baby turned around and ready for delivery.
“Holy shit. I mean, I’ve been reading the books, but holy shit.”
“You’re telling me.”
“Oh, babe. You’re going to do awesome.”