For Blue, I think that is sweet talk and as a shiver of anticipation runs through my body, I decide that’s just the way I like him.
Chapter 40
Blue
It’s been three days since the best night of my life. Three days since Meadow has immediately put us back in the same ole routine. I’m going to snap. I can feel it. She woke up yesterday feeling dizzy and lethargic. She had to close the shelter for the last two days, and I know the county government is giving her shit about that. God forbid they find her some part time help. I persuaded her to call her doctor. That’s where we’re at today. She has so many dark circles under her eyes that I’m not sure what to do to help. Right now, I’m just holding her hand while we wait for him to come back in. They’ve already drawn blood and ran tests. Now, we’re just waiting results.
“I hear you’ve been feeling poorly, Meadow,” the doctor says, even before he closes the door.
“Yeah. I mean, I was tired and had morning sickness with Adam, but this feels different and it’s lasting a lot longer than morning sickness with Adam did.”
“Have you been sleeping?” he asks. I bite my tongue to keep from answering for her.
“Sometimes,” she murmurs. “Mostly when Blue is around. That doesn’t happen that often. We…uh…don’t live together.”
That’s going to change, baby.
Her response is proof that she’s tired. If she weren’t, she never would have admitted that. It makes me both happy and frustrated. Things have to change. For my sake, I hope Mom’s right when she says women like a man to take charge, because I’m tired of biting my tongue.
“Okay, so I got your bloodwork back and I have good news and bad news.”
“Doctor—”
He holds up his hand, interrupting her. “First, the baby is absolutely fine and completely healthy.”
“Thank God,” we both say in unison. Meadow tightens her hand on mine in response. I squeeze it back giving her a wink.
“The bad news is that you have something we like to refer to as Vasovagal Syncope.”
“What’s that?” Meadow asks, her body tightening.
“It’s nothing that we can’t monitor. You’ll be fine. You remember when you came in how your blood pressure was lower than normal?”
“Yes.”
“According to your records, that’s not normal for you. VS, in a nutshell, is a way of saying that sometimes with pregnant women your body finds it hard to regulate your blood pressure. This can cause, nausea, dizziness, and sometimes even fainting.”
“What causes it?”
“Well, because of the changes, your body is already going through it’s in a state of stress. When you have external pressures that are causing more stress and anxiety things go a little askew. I’m going to suggest you go on light duty with work, and only part-time. You need to rest throughout the day. Walking is good. I’m not saying you don’t need exercise. I’m saying it needs to be controlled, with breaks and while you’re relaxed.”
“Could I work if I sat most of the day?”
“Part-time, yes. I really think for the best interest of you and the baby, you need to plan on resting as much as possible. You don’t want it to get worse, and if you push it, it might. Your body is going through a lot of changes.”
“I see.”
He puts his hand on Doe’s leg. It’s nothing but a friendly gesture, but I find myself growling under my breath. The doctor looks up at me and grins—but the bastard doesn’t take his hand away. I look up and find Doe smiling at me. I give her annoyed look, which just deepens her smile.
“You needn’t worry. This is something we can monitor. When you feel the dizziness and the fatigue set in that’s your cue to lay down and relax. I’m sure Mr. Lucas will make sure you do exactly that.”
“I will.” I sound grouchy even to my own ears. I don’t really care.
The doctor understands and laughs.
I grab my woman’s hand as we walk out.
“Blue, don’t start,” she says as soon as we get outside.
“I’m not starting anything, baby.”
“You’re not?”
“No, but if you don’t take his advice, I’m going to finish it.”
“Excuse me?”
“You heard me, Meadow. I’ve been begging you to take care of yourself. Now, you and the baby depend on it.”
“Blue, I’d never do anything to endanger my baby.”
“Our baby.”
“Our baby,” she says, looking sad.
“Why does having a baby together make you sad, Doe? Help me comprehend what’s going on in that beautiful head of yours.”
“You wouldn’t understand,” she says, as I lead us toward my truck.
“Try me.”
“If we had just remembered to use condoms we wouldn’t be here right now.”
“What?”
“Blue, you’re only in my life right now because I’m having your baby.”
“Do you not listen when I talk, woman? I told you I love you. I’ve said that to exactly five women in my life.”