Page 107 of A New Chapter

The doctor did the routine checks, asking numerous questions along the way, and then she helped Emma back up to a seated position. “We’ll need to draw some blood, but everything looks good. I’d estimate your due date to be around the middle of August, but we can narrow it down once you get closer. Do you have any questions for me?”

Emma raised her eyebrows at Zack and waited for him to whip out his list, but he just sat there, hands clasped tightly in his lap. “No, I don’t think so,” Emma answered, disconcerted by Zack’s silence.

“The most important thing is for you to take good care of yourself. Eat regularly, drink lots of water, and take prenatal vitamins. I’ll leave a prescription at the check-out desk. Other than that, I’ll see you back here in four weeks.” The doctor gave them both a reassuring smile and slipped out the door.

“Zack? What’s wrong?” Emma asked as soon as they were alone.

“It’s real, Emma. We’re going to have a baby.”

“Yes, silly. That’s why we’re here!” She hopped off the table and went over to him. She knelt down in front of him and placed her hands over his. “You’re happy about this, right?”

“Yes, of course. I don’t know what happened. Once the doctor started talking, the reality of it hit me, and I froze. Damn, now I didn’t get my questions answered!”

Emma giggled. “I happen to have access to hundreds of books on this topic. I’m sure we can find the answers to all of your questions.”

All except one, Zack thought.

After the appointment, Zack dropped her off at the bookstore.

“Don’t forget to eat lunch, and I’ll pick you up at five,” he reminded her when she hopped out of the car.

“If I forget, I’m sure your ten text messages will remind me,” she teased, and she blew him a kiss.

Emma felt buoyant when she entered the store, and Kelly bombarded her right away.

“How did it go? Tell me everything,” Kelly demanded.

Emma relayed the details while Kelly listened intently.

“I’m glad everything went well, because now we can start to plan a kick-ass baby shower!”

“Kell, you know you’re going to have to curb your language when this baby arrives, right?” Emma admonished her friend while trying to hide her smile.

“Pfft… piece of cake!” Kelly said.

“You’ll have to go shopping with me for maternity clothes soon. Zack gave me a really generous gift card for Christmas to that swanky maternity store at Somerset Mall.”

“I’m in! Maternity clothes can be sexy, you know, and your boobs will be bigger, so you can really show them off.”

“Kell, we’re talking about me, not you. I don’t see myself buying provocative maternity wear.”

“But I bet Zack would love it.” Kelly wiggled her eyebrows.

Which reminded Emma of the other Christmas gift he had given her in private. Zack had bought her an extremely sheer white baby-doll lingerie set from a high-end lingerie catalog. She recalled his words: “Not that I don’t love your ‘I woke up like this’ nightshirt, but I wanted to see you in something like this.” Emma had worn it for him over the weekend and had been amply rewarded! He’d reciprocated by wearing the Superman pajama pants that she had bought for him and nothing else.

“Em, are you still with me?”

“Oh, yeah, sorry. I have a lot on my mind.”

“I’m sure you do,” Kelly said knowingly. “Probably the same things that are on my mind about Damian.”

“So you two are still hot and heavy?”

“Emphasis on the hot!” Kelly replied.

Emma didn’t want to burst her friend’s bubble by reminding her that Damian was flying back to California on New Year’s Day. She assumed that Kelly already knew but didn’t want to acknowledge it. It was too bad, really, because Emma would have liked it if Damian stuck around, not just for Kelly, but for all of them. Gracie was especially fond of him, and it would be difficult when the time came to say goodbye.

Emma and Kelly’s discussion was halted when Mrs. Simmons walked in, leaning on a cane for support.