Page 54 of One Night with the Doctor

Ignoring her and her dismissive wave he shut his car door. ‘I’m coming,’ he said, his voice brooking no argument as he strode past Callie for the gate leaving her no option but to follow.

Ginny was his patient too and he enjoyed his visits.

And she was delighted to see them both and insisted they have a cup of tea and some of her home-made lamingtons before they got to the Doppler. Callie looked like she was about to decline the invitation but Sebastian got in ahead of her with a, ‘That would be lovely,’ and Ginny beamed at them.

‘I’ve been cooking all weekend.’ Ginny chatted away as she waved off their assistance with a look that said, I’m pregnant, not an invalid. ‘And cleaning.’ She laughed. ‘Brad’s been reading these maternity books and reckons I’m nesting.’

‘That sounds normal,’ Callie murmured.

‘You’re looking great,’ Sebastian added.

How would Callie look heavily pregnant with his child? Would she rub her hand across her stomach in the way Ginny was, like she was subconsciously soothing the babe inside, or trying to connect through the layers of skin? Would she be glowing like Ginny or would she still be struggling with her own anxieties.

‘Liar.’ Ginny laughed. ‘I was up half the night and then I couldn’t get comfortable in bed because my back’s been aching something fierce the last few days and I’ve been cleaning all day.’

Sebastian frowned. ‘I hope you’re not overdoing it. You’re supposed to be using this time to rest. You won’t get the chance after the baby comes. It’ll be action stations then. It’s only two weeks away.’

Ginny waved the concern off. ‘I know, that’s what Brad says, but I just want to get everything shipshape for the baby. Actually…’ Ginny patted the table. ‘I’m pleased I’ve got you both here. I’d really like a second opinion, if you wouldn’t mind.’

‘Sure,’ Sebastian said.

Ginny grinned and hauled herself up from her chair. She took a moment to stretch out her back, grimacing. ‘Ugh! I tell you,’ she joked, waddling towards the doorway to the hall, ‘backs weren’t meant to carry so much extra weight out front.’

They followed her to the end of the hall, Sebastian aware that Callie was lagging behind and only realising why as he walked into the room where Ginny had disappeared.

The nursery.

It glowed pink enough to disguise a flock of flamingos and he guessed, given their current conundrum, Callie didn’t want to be confronted with baby things. Not all the pink frilly clothes, or the wooden cot, or the array of pastel coloured stuffed toys and teddy bears.

Not today. Maybe not ever if the very uncomfortable way she hovered in the doorway was any indication.

She seemed further away now than she had in the car and he wished he knew how to reach her. How to assure her he meant what he said. And then, as he watched, she slipped her hand over her belly and a faint glow of hope bloomed in his chest.

His own hand itched to join hers. Of course there would be nothing to feel now but he wanted to be there for every change, even the slightest nuance. He wanted to be intimately acquainted with the growing round bulge and be there for every tiny foetal movement. He could not wait to feel his baby move.

‘So we can’t decide between the yellow ducks and the pink unicorns.’

Sebastian dragged his eyes off Callie to find Ginny holding up two samples of what looked like a wallpaper frieze. She turned and faced the wall, placing each one against a different section of pink. ‘What do you think?’

‘Ducks,’ they answered in unison, and then glanced in surprise at each other.

Ginny looked over her shoulder at them and gave a rueful smile. ‘Yeah, yeah, too much pink, I know.’

Sebastian chuckled, returning his attention to Ginny. ‘Pink is a very calming colour. Your little girl is going to be very laid back.’

‘Ha!’ Ginny laughed. ‘My little girl is going to be spoilt rotten. But from your lips to God’s ears.’

‘Shall we listen to the foetal heart now?’ Callie asked.

Sebastian was surprised at the note of abruptness in Callie’s voice especially when she was always the complete opposite with her clients. Thankfully Ginny, preoccupied with ducks and unicorns didn’t seem to notice but it was clear to him that Callie was eager to be out of this very pink, very baby room as fast as possible.

Ginny grinned. ‘You bet.’

Sebastian watched from the doorway of the nursery as Callie and Ginny headed to the main bedroom before he turned back to the baby’s room. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he moved inside, swivelling his head to look all the way around.

Stopping by the cot, he watched dust motes swirling in a stream of sunlight that pierced the centre of the mattress. It felt like a sign. Like a beam of light from on high. A message from something not quite earthly that this was his path.

Fatherhood.