A Hollywood Bride (Ryder & Paige 2)

I appreciate the professionalism. After the intros, she doesn’t spare a single extra glance my way. Her focus is entirely on Paige and the baby.

“If you don’t mind, let’s see what’s going on.”

There is some drawing of blood, a bunch of scans. The doctor checks Paige’s ankles and hands and feet, making notes.

I wait, feeling superfluous. Dr. Silverman is thorough and obviously knows her business. Finally, Paige lies on a bed and arranges her clothes to reveal her belly.

“Come closer.” Dr. Silverman gestures at me. “We’re going to look at the baby. Don’t you want to see?”

I swallow. I came with Paige for moral support, but didn’t expect to see the baby. She hasn’t shown me a single ultrasound image.

I drag my ass over and position myself so I can hold Paige’s hand and look at the black and white monitor. The doctor spreads some kind of gel over Paige’s stomach and runs a wand over it.

At first I don’t see anything except some white lines and dots all over the monitor. I’m not sure which one of them is supposed to be the baby. Then the image settles into a black hole and a tiny bean-shaped dot inside it.

“Isn’t it sweet?” Dr. Silverman says. “That’s your baby. It’s fine and healthy in there as far as I can see.”

I blink. That tiny life is the reason why Paige agreed to marry me in the first place. It was the cause for both of our scares when she bled.

The doctor measures the baby and makes notes on how far along it is. It seems impossible that she can do that with something that small inside Paige, but well… I guess that’s medical science for you.

“Everything’s on track. I don’t see anything to worry about. Six weeks and five days. Perfect. Let’s see if we can hear the heart beat.” Soon I can hear loud and rapid whoosh-whoosh-whooshes.

“What is that?” I ask, while Paige’s jaw slowly slackens.

“Your baby’s heartbeat.” Dr. Silverman looks at the measurement. “Let’s see… One sixteen per minute.”

“It’s so…fast,” I say in awe. Paige’s hand tightens around mine.

“It’s actually pretty normal.”

“Wow.” I run my hand over my face and realize I’m shaking. Some emotion I can’t identify rises up in my chest until I feel like my sternum is going to crack. Seeing the little bean and hearing its heartbeat makes the baby feel so real. It’s no longer just an abstract concept growing inside Paige. It’s so much more, and I’m at a loss to describe the wonder of it.

Dr. Silverman tries, but she can’t quite hide the smile that’s threatening to come out. “Congratulations. The baby is healthy.”

“Then why did I bleed?” Paige asks.

“Sometimes that happens, but it doesn’t necessarily mean you’re having a miscarriage. Of course, we should take extra precautions, and I want to see you again next week. Also, I strongly urge you to not overexert yourself. Get plenty of rest and avoid stress as much as possible. I understand you have a wedding coming up, a ‘once in a lifetime’ event, but so is your baby. Delegate as much as you can.” Then she gives me a look. “I expect you to make sure that happens.”

“Yes, ma’am,” I answer meekly.

We thank the doctor and leave. I have Paige sit in the waiting room, while I talk to the receptionist about the next appointment. The young woman is nowhere near as professional or cool as Dr. Silverman. She’s virtually fucking me with her eyes.

I let it roll past. Other women are no longer my concern. They can look all they want, but right now the only person I care about is Paige.

As the receptionist hands me an envelope with the print-out of the ultrasound and a card with the information about the next appointment, I hear a loud gasp behind me.

“No!” Paige cries. She’s looking at her phone, her face drained of blood.

I shove the envelope in my pocket and take a few big strides toward her. “What is it?”

“Bethany.” Paige’s eyes are wide, and her face is so pale I’m afraid she’s going to pass out. “She’s been in a car wreck.”

Chapter Sixteen

Paige

I manage to calm my nerves and drive to the hospital address Oliver has texted me. If the roads weren’t wet, Ryder would probably take over, but…