Page 4 of Coming Innocent

Logan and Brooks had met through emergency rotations in the Hospital in Raleigh, Logan had mentioned to his friend that they were hiring a Medical Director for the Pediatric Clinic of Carson, which Avery was funding with estate money given to her from her fiancé’s death. Avery had met a Brooks a few times since he agreed to join them in their endeavor and even went to help him house hunt in their small town. But recently she’d been relegated to being on her feet less and less, per doctor’s orders, so she hasn’t seen him in a while.

Avery still gets a bit of shock every time he approaches. Brooks stands significantly taller than her half-brothers, around six-seven or six-eight, and has enough muscles to make anyone curious as to what he looks like under his stark white doctor’s coat. With the knowledge that Brooks is an ex-professional baseball player, Avery is sure that he keeps up with a stringent workout routine.

He scoops his hand through his hair, messing the glossy black strands as he approaches, and the glint in his blue eyes shine in the sun’s light. Avery definitely understands what has the single females in the town of Carson up in a roar since he moved to town. Luckily, she is immune to his good looks and, from what she can tell; he has his heart set on one of her sisters.

“Hey, Logan, Avery,” he welcomes as he reaches outward and shakes her husband’s hand and then leans forward, pressing a kiss on her cheek. “Do you mind?” Brooks asks as he gestures to her belly.

“Not at all, you’ll be holding them soon enough,” Avery jokes.

Brooks places his hands gently on her stomach just before another sharp pain shoots down her spine. She can tell when Brooks notices that her softness has gone rock solid because he gazes up at her in concern.

“It’s just Braxton Hicks contractions. Dr. Burnett says that it’s normal.”

Brooks nods but his brows hang heavy over his eyes in concern and a bit of skepticism.

Standing straighter, Brooks comes to his full height and gestures them to follow.

“Well, let’s get this tour over and get you off of your feet.”

Brooks proceeds to take them through the clinic, making sure to point out the newly designed lab and treatment area. Avery had been very specific that she wanted the clinic to do as much as they could in-house so that patients didn’t need to travel, especially those with premature or special needs.

Waddling behind Logan and Brooks as they discuss the merits of the new MLB team forming out of Asheville, Avery takes a few moments to peek into each of the exam rooms and the labs. She’s impressed with what she finds.

Bright colors, clean lines, books and pictures lining the walls to keep the patients entertained and even small televisions in every corner. Avery remembers how traumatic doctors’ visits can be, even when they are well checkups, so something to keep the children calm is always a good marking in her book.

“Hey, are you still with us?” Logan bellows from down the hall, his face mixed with amusement and concern.

Avery smiles at the men and lets out a deep sigh.

“I’m coming as fast as I can.”

Brooks starts chuckling as Avery shuffles as fast as she can towards them.

“What’s so funny?” she asks as she reaches them, panting as she works to catch her breath.

“Nothing,” he replies as he suppresses his laughter.

Standing with her hands on her expanded hips Avery purses her lips and cocks an eyebrow as she narrows her eyes towards him.

Brooks’ laughter ceases and he seemingly starts to squirm under her steady gaze.

“Alright, alright, geez. I was going to say, ‘that’s what she said,’ it’s kind of lost its effect now. And man, I feel bad for your kids. You’ve got that mom scowl mastered.”

Brooks grimaces as Avery narrows her eyes a little more tightly before relaxing her face into a huge grin.

“Oh, thank you, I’ve been practicing on Logan. Why else do you think he goes out to get me ice cream at three in the morning?”

“Um, because he loves you?” he questions as he glances over to his friend.

“Well yes of course, but no one loves you enough at three in the morning, when there is a foot of snow, to go get your wife ice cream, especially when you need to be at work at five in the morning. So, the ‘mom’ face was then born. I find it to be pretty effective.”

Logan leans towards Brooks and whispers, “It kind of scares me, to be honest. She can turn it on in the blink of an eye. I don’t think I’ve ever feared for my life so much until that moment.”

Brooks snickers and whispers loud enough for Avery to hear, “And just think, you get to sleep with her the rest of your life.”

Logan looks over to Avery, hands still resting on her hips, her face scrunching up at Brooks’ words and he smiles broadly at her as he says, “Fuck, yes I do.”

Pregnancy hormones in over-drive, Avery launches herself at Logan, who catches her tightly in his arms.