One Beautiful Promise (Very Irresistible Bachelors 4)

Chapter Eleven

Laney

Isabelle had often mentioned that the Winchesters were close, but I was still surprised that in the span of a few hours, half their family stopped by.

They were also fiercely protective of each other. When the obgyn in charge, Dr. Jackson had gone to Skye’s room to give her the official diagnosis and instructions, I went with her.

The room quieted at first, but that lasted all of two seconds once she said, “We do have the test results back.”

There was a chorus of “What do they say?” and “Is she all right?” and “Is the baby all right?”

I couldn’t help smiling. They were absolutely adorable. I held up a hand, and the room was silent once more.

“No preeclampsia or rupture. Just high blood pressure. And when I say just, I mean that there is no life-threatening underlying condition, but it is imperative for you to be on bed rest for the rest of the pregnancy. High blood pressure is dangerous on its own. Bed rest means that you can only get up to go to the bathroom. That’s it. No walking to stretch your legs or anything,” Dr. Jackson said.

Skye nodded, but I detected a hint of sadness in her eyes. They all started talking at the same time again, bombarding me and the doctor with questions.

Aft

er the obgyn reassured everyone one more time that everything was fine, they started to bicker about who was going to stay overnight. Dr. Jackson gave up trying to play referee and asked me to stay back and talk to the family while she went onto her next patient.

Rob was still here, and Tess was back. She’d left for a few hours today to handle their store. Their mother, Amelia was here, as well as Ryker, Hunter, and their better halves. Cole had shown me a few pictures of the family, and I had a photographic memory—it had been a lifesaver in med school. I could easily remember who was whom.

Cole wasn’t here anymore though, and my shoulders dropped in disappointment. Damn, I’d hoped to get another glimpse of him today. Perhaps even a smoking-hot kiss. I’d checked where the service room was on this floor.

“Hello, everyone. I’m Laney. So, I’m not officially Skye’s doctor, since I’m a surgery resident, but I am on top of the case.”

“You’re Isabelle’s friend, right?” Ryker asked.

“Yes.”

“And Cole’s girl,” he added.

“Ryker,” Amelia shushed him. “This isn’t the right time.”

Ryker cocked a brow. “Anytime is the right time. Besides, who knows when we’ll get a chance to talk to her without Cole around. We need all the dirt.”

Everyone burst out laughing, me included. I could feel my cheeks warming up, but no one seemed to notice. By the way Ryker glanced furtively around the room, I surmised this had been a tactic to make everyone relax. I had no doubt that he wanted all the dirt, but not right now.

I turned to Skye, surveying her through a doctor’s lens. The unnatural paleness from this morning had subsided, which meant her blood pressure was back to normal. I knew that from her records of course, but it was always a good sign when the patient wasn’t healthy just on paper, but actually looked well.

“I disagree, Ryker. Let’s focus on Skye. We have nurses around the clock, and I’m also on shift tonight. There is of course also an obgyn here overnight. I promise, you’ll want for nothing. That said, I understand if you want a family member to stay with you, but we can only allow one person.”

“Me,” Rob said instantly.

Skye played with a strand of her hair. “Babe, your niece is sleeping over at the house today, remember? She’s looking forward to that. You can’t say no, she’s gonna be sad. Tess can stay with me.”

Tess nodded reassuringly. “If something happens, I’ll let you know immediately.”

“Nothing will happen,” I said firmly, directly to Rob. I sympathized with the poor guy, but I actually thought it was best if he wasn’t the one spending the night here. Hospitals made everyone uneasy, even more so expectant dads.

Afterward, I left the Winchester clan to their own devices. Man, I wanted to linger for a while longer because they were just so damn adorable, but I had to make my rounds.

I bought a cheap coffee from the vending machine because I had no time to head downstairs to the cafeteria. It probably contained more sugar than coffee, but to be honest, I needed both right now. I downed it quickly while I inspected the chart of the next patient, memorizing the name and most important vitals. I liked to do that whenever time permitted. I felt that it put them at ease if I walked in with my head high, versus with my head buried in their file.

I also checked my phone, smiling when I saw that Cole texted me.

Cole: What’s this I hear that you put Ryker in his place AND Skye didn’t put up a fight.