“Have you lost a baby before?”
She shook her head. “After the diagnosis and surgery, I was told that the chances were slim that I would get pregnant.”
Dr. Parks sighed before nodding. “I take it that you have been trying for a while, then?”
“Yes, we tried for years, starting as soon as we got married. But nothing and now—” she said but stopped herself from blurting out her dirty secret.
She felt his hand touch hers and she opened her eyes to see a silver wedding band on his finger. The image of him being so happy in his wedding photo hit her again and only made her cry harder. Again, she asked herself why she had to choose and marry an asshole.
“I can’t promise that everything will be okay, but I will watch over you. I would like to see you every week until you give birth. According to the scan, you look about eight weeks along. That means you have another seven months to go.”
Pandora agreed, feeling a little better that he was willing to watch over her so carefully.
“Do you work?” he asked, removing his hand from hers.
“Yes,” she replied.
“Make sure they know and take it easy. I will let you know when you should stop working but let’s say around seven months for now, depending on how big the baby gets.” Pandora nodded as he raised an eyebrow. “Keep your stress levels to the minimum.”
Pandora let out a snort and when she noticed his curious expression, she shook her head. There was no way she would tell him that her ex-husband was adamant about making her life a living hell. And she had no idea who the baby’s father was or how to find him.
Dr. Parks gave her tips on how to overcome morning sickness. He said that she would eat small amounts and often. In the end, he made an appointment for her to see him the following week.
“Have a great week, Pandora,” he said, offering her his hand. She took it again and her body was hit with desire and need. She wanted his hands to be all over her.
“Bye,” she squeaked out.
‘He is married!’ she yelled at herself as she walked out hastily.
She let out the breath she was holding when she was finally out of the building. “I should change to another doctor,” she muttered as she slid into her car.
Her phone beeped just as she pulled on her seatbelt. “Hey, Kiera.”
“How did it go?” Keira asked impatiently.
Ana chuckled a little, knowing that she wanted to come along to the appointment but couldn’t get time off work.
“He wants to see me every week,” Pandora informed. “And I got several copies of photos.” She looked at the scan photos again.
“Does it feel real now?”
“Yes, more so because I heard Bean’s heartbeat,” she said, making Keira gasp.
“That’s it, I don’t care about work. Next time, I am coming with you. If they don’t give me the day off, then I am calling in sick.”
“Keira… you need to be at work. Your office can’t run without you,” Pandora reminded.
“I took this job thinking I would have an easy life and loads of benefits. They were tricking me!”
Pandora giggled as Keira whined about her job on the call.
“I have to go. Some troublemaker brought fireworks into the girl’s locker room. I need to put some sense into them,” she sighed.
“Well, see you this weekend,” Pandora said before hanging up.
She headed back to work. No sooner had she arrived than she headed to her boss’s office. Aron was her boss in name, but in truth, he was her father’s age and had taken her under his wing long ago. He had become a dear friend and even wanted to introduce her as his god-daughter. Of course, none of the staff members knew of this.
Pandora insisted on doing her job silently and staving off anyone thinking that she used underhanded means to get her promotions. Her talent was what got her to the top of the ladder.
“Afternoon, Pandora,” Aron, her boss, smiled as she walked in.
“I thought I should tell you that I am pregnant.” His face seemed to drop as he looked at her. “I’m two months along,” she whispered.
“You went back to Derrik?” he asked and she shook her head.
“It’s just someone I met and we hit it off…” she trailed off and waved her hand.
“What does this man say about the pregnancy?”
“Well… I lost his number and he is out of town. So, for now, he doesn’t know.”
Aron raised a brow, almost as if he didn’t believe a word she was saying. “Does your father know yet?” Of course, as a trustworthy elder, he would go there. And Pandora didn’t want to answer that question.
“I plan on telling him tonight.”
“Parents hate not knowing what is happening in their children’s lives. He might get worried because you will sound off until you come clean.”
“I will tell him tonight,” Pandora reassured him.
“Good. Let me know if you need some time off. You haven’t been looking good these past few days.”
“Thank you,” she responded snarkily.
“My mother looked better at her funeral than you do. And she was dead for a while by then,” Aron retorted.
“Okay, you need to stop,” Pandora muttered, standing up.
“I just tell the truth as I see it,” Aron laughed as Pandora waved her hand and walked out. She did notice that her colleagues looked quite a bit worried about her. Maybe she did look awful after being sick. What happened to getting a glow-up while pregnant? Why was she not one of the more fortunate ones?
Pandora could only wonder. Still, she would follow Doctor Parks' advice and cross her fingers. Hopefully, his tips would help her feel better.
Pandora looked at her dad’s house, taking a few deep breaths, trying to muster up the courage to go inside. ‘I am a grown woman with a job, a car, and a house!’ she told herself, but she also had that small voice in the back of her mind repudiate. ‘Did you forget the ex-husband whom your father asked you not to marry?’ Pandora groaned, knowing she was about to start her engine and just leave with how conflicted her thoughts were.She jumped when she heard a sharp knock on her car’s window.“Sorry,” Nina smiled as she looked through the window. Pandora let out a nervous laugh and opened her car door. “Is everything alright?” Nina asked as she looked her stepdaughter over.“Yeah,” Pandora muttered and shut the door.Nina and she walked to the house the older woman shared with her father. They had known each other since high school. They went from being close friends to raising Pandora together. Nina’s husband cheated on her ten years ago and Pandora’s father, Walter, stuck by her side
She quickly got out of the tub and put on her bathrobe before grabbing her cell phone. Instantly, she jumped as it started to vibrate in her hands. She hissed when she saw Derrik’s name flashing on her screen. She pressed accept to answer the call and forewent all formalities when she spoke.“That better not be you at the door!” she stated as she went to the window.“Get your ass here and let me in!” Derrik sneered.“Fuck you,” she hissed out and disconnected the call. Right away, she dialed the emergency number. “I warned the asshole, this is on him,” she muttered as she waited for someone to respond. “Pandora!” she heard Derrik yell and he started pounding on the door again.“What is the address of your emergency?” The monotone male voice asked over the phone.“Pandora!” Derrik yet again bellowed followed by the pounding on her door.She stated her address, her voice breaking.“Answer the fucking door, you stupid bitch!” Derrik screamed again, continuing to pound on the door.“What
“Where is my bracelet?” she asked herself as she looked through her jewelry box. She groaned, unable to find it. She closed her eyes, trying to remember where she had last worn it. But she wasn’t fully awake and after a night of no sleep because of Derrik, it was hard to function.Just as she was about to give up, she imagined the bracelet on her wrist. She could feel someone touching her softly and with so many emotions that it made her whole body tingle from that one spot on her wrist.“Where did you get this?” a smooth voice with the smell of alcohol asked, and her eyes sprang open.“Vegas,” she declared and she shuddered. She moved to the closet and got her bag. She took out the small jewelry bag she had taken with her. She dumped everything out and grabbed her bracelet. As she put it on, a silver ring caught her eye.“Where did that come from?” She lifted it up to inspect.It was a simple silver band. She frowned at it and turned it around in her fingers. Suddenly, what looked li
“See! You don’t pull over for an unmarked car. Similarly, you shouldn’t be talking and going with a person who doesn’t have a uniform on. Part of why I am in the Special Victim cell.”Pandora looked at him playfully. “Well, I shouldn’t be talking to you right now.”“Here it's fine. This is the police station, after all.”“You have a point. I am taking that you wear a uniform to the first meet and greet. Then once they know you are the real deal, you walk out wearing a suit. It’s a bit like a superhero, isn’t it?”“Batman. I like batman, thank you,” he said. “Of course, the best detective in the comic universe.”They walked into his office and Milton pulled out a seat and gestured for her to sit down. Once she was settled, he pulled out a seat to sit down next to her.“Your ex was let out an hour ago. He was not happy. But I did make it clear that he would be in trouble if he went anywhere near your home or work.”Relief overwhelmed her.“Now, we need to work on the restraining order.
“Of course not. He’s married,” she said with a nervous laugh, which everyone picked up on.“Okay, spill,” Keira demanded. “During my exam, I—” she stopped talking. “You what?” Keira prodded.“I got aroused,” she whispered, her face hidden in her hands. She closed her eyes and dropped her eyes, her embarrassment building as the girls started to laugh.“Do you think he could tell?” Sia asked after controlling her laughter.“I am sure he did. He was down there.” She pointed downward. “And I was really wet.”“How wet are we talking?” Keira asked excitedly.“I would have been a water slide if I got any wetter.” They laughed, making Pandora groan. “But he didn’t say anything. I am grateful for that.”Sia took hold of her hand and made her look. “Come on. A lot of women become turned on, more so during pregnancy. I am sure he has seen and dealt with that situation before. Don’t be embarrassed.”Pandora nodded, trying to feel better about the situation. “Anyway, it is better than drooling o
“I don’t like how I needed to hear from the DA that my daughter was threatened. You had better report him if he comes near you or even tries to make contact with you again. I mean it. He is not all there in his head, I think we know that by now.”“Again, I’m sorry. I promise I will. I plan on getting a full restraining order, too,” she said, hoping to amend the situation and make her father less worried.“I am not happy about this, Pandora,” he stated. Pandora closed her eyes, knowing he was just worried about her. “So, what is the officer’s last name?”“Dad,” she moaned out. Her father wanted a full report on the officer in charge and would probably give a stern talk to him.“Don’t argue with me on this, please. I want him to go over and check out your security at the house. I need to know my daughter is safe. If you’d rather I come down and do it myself, say so.”Pandora cleared her throat. “You don’t have to do that, Dad. Milton already said he would check over the house and the pe
“Please remove your jacket and lie down,” he instructed. She did just that and the nurse walked in. “Can you move your top up a little and your pants down?”She adjusted the article of clothing like he asked and watched as he washed his hands at the sink. When he walked back to her, he rubbed his hands together.“I am warming them up,” he informed her.“Don’t people say that cold hands make a warm man?” Her words made her chuckle slightly.“I think they do, but moms don’t appreciate it when my hands are cold. The gel is cold enough for them as it is.”“Derrik’s hands were always so warm. I was bothered by them. I mean, who likes holding a hot plate all the time?” she muttered and Dr. Parks hummed and went on with his exam.“Your little Bean seems to be doing well. I am going to use the Doppler to listen to its heartbeat.”Within seconds, she heard the galloping sound again and she closed her eyes to enjoy the moment. “Sounds good,” Dr. Parks affirmed and she opened her eyes to look at
A range of emotions flashed across his face. “Do you not want me to come back?” she asked, wondering if he was implying that he was not comfortable with having her around. He was giving himself an out to not look bad.He revealed a sad smile. “I would be saddened to lose you as a patient just like any other patient here.”Pandora nodded, sensing there was more to his words than met the eye. Still, she ignored it. “I would like to continue coming here. And I am sorry for my inappropriate behavior earlier.” She bowed.Dr. Parks let out a light chuckle. “You have been wonderful, don’t worry. Today will be enough to keep Miss Smith from stepping foot in the clinic again. I will see you next week. Be sure to call if you continue feeling sick.”Pandora agreed and watched her turn and go back to his office. For some reason, she felt as if her embarrassment from earlier had been lifted slightly because of that interaction.- - - - -She arrived home and found an unknown car parked in the dri