A Life Unplanned (7 page)

Tammy looked worriedly over at Sandy, who wrapped her arm around her, trying to give her some comfort.

"Of course, Dr. Carrington."

"Thank you, Amy. Is Dr. Davis on call?"

"Yes, he is."

"Let him know I sent them in and would like him to keep me apprised of the situation."

"Will do." She looked over at me and smiled, but didn't ask anything about me.

Trent must have noticed her unasked question. "Amy, this is Clara Sharp," he said, shifting nervously, like he wanted to say something more.

"He has kids," Tammy nearly shouted, "with her!"

It was one thing to tell a couple of trampy women and play his girl to ward them off, but she had just shouted out that we had children together to the whole hospital. I knew in this small-town everyone would assume we were more than what we were. I wasn't sure if I was ready to play that game of pretend for him, just to save face.

"So that's what keeps you in Waco. Have you heard back on your request to transfer?" Amy asked. If he moved to Waco, he'd be underfoot a lot more.

He looked at me sheepishly. "Not yet. It'll be another month before I hear back from them."

"We'll miss you when you leave, Trent. You really are the best. I mean no offense to Dr. Davis, but you're a lot more cautious when it comes to the health of the mothers and babies."

"Davis is…" Trent started to defend his colleague.

"I know, but he just doesn't listen to the mothers like you do. I don't want you to leave, but I wrote a glowing recommendation for you, anyways."

"Thank you, Amy."

I wondered if everyone had a crush on Trent. Then I wondered why I cared. There was no reason for me to be jealous, because we weren't really together. I wanted nothing to do with him. He was just the sperm donor for my children…a very handsome, sweet, and compassionate sperm donor, who obviously didn't hold grudges against trampy women.

I was so screwed.

C
hapter 8 – On Interference, Good and Bad

Once Tammy was settled, we made our way back to his clinic. We were both silent, and it was an awkward silence. He waved me back to his office and pulled a chair behind his desk, so I could see what he was doing. He woke his computer, and the screen background was a collection of happy babies. I couldn't stop my smile, but made sure he didn't see it.

"Okay," he scooted closer and enlarged the image. We went back to being silent, as he studied image after image so carefully that I was surprised he didn't take out a magnifying glass. He finally sat back and gave me a smile. "Well, Ms. Sharp, we have a healthy baby girl."

I about punched him for making me wait so long to hear that. "Good, thank you for checking on her."

He nodded. "It was for my peace of mine just as much as yours. Do you have any other concerns or things that you may be worried about, but aren't telling your doctor because you think they're silly?" He looked at me with true concern. "Really, Clara, any little thing you can think of. There are a lot of things women don't want to talk about, but they can be signs of other issues. Other things have easy fixes. You don't have to suffer," he said kindly.

I thought for a moment and finally took a deep breath. "I can't hold it when I sneeze. That wasn't a problem with Tyler."

"That isn't uncommon when a woman has multiple children. Are you doing your Kegel exercises?"

"My what?"

"He hasn't told you about them?" He grimaced. "It's a muscle that you should work from day one. It helps with bladder control and also during delivery."

I wasn't sure what he was talking about, but he pulled out a paper with "Kegel Exercises" written across the top. "This should help. You should have enough time to get your muscles in order before the delivery. It's also good to work on them after as well to prevent any other further complication."

I honestly was stunned that he could answer me so smoothly without making me feel stupid or gross. He was so professional about it. The way he pushed me to talk to him made me see what Nurse Amy was saying. He knew how to listen to the mothers and seemed rather sincere about it. "Thank you," I whispered.

He patted my hand. "It's my job." He scooted his chair back and then took my hand, helping me get out of mine. "I know this is going to sound bad, but I was wondering if you'd come back to my place. I wanted you to see where I lived. Maybe get to know me better?"

My eyes narrowed at him.

"I swear, not like that. I was just thinking of making you some lunch and talking to you about different doctors I know in your area."

I was hungry, so I agreed. I was busy reading the Kegel exercise paper while we drove there. I was blushing like mad at the end of it. I peeked over at him, but he didn't seem to care that I was going to work on tightening my pussy muscles. If it didn't state it would help with my problem specifically and gave other references on the paper, I would've thought he was trying to pull a fast one on me.

I was confused, when he pulled up to a house. "What are we doing here?" I hoped he didn't plan on introducing me to anyone else. I really didn't feel up to it. Ever since he had mentioned food, my stomach had been protesting.

"This is my house."

He hopped out of the car, getting my door and helping me out. It wasn't necessarily chivalrous, just a necessity, as he had to use both hands to pry me out. He led me over to the front door, opening it without unlocking it. "Don't you lock your door?"

He looked down the street and then waved to a neighbor. "I don't think Ms. Thelma is gonna hit my place while I'm at work."

His house looked nothing like what I thought a bachelor pad should look like. It looked like a regular house, minus the throw pillows and flowery things. "The kitchen is in here. I was thinking sandwiches. The bread I bought is a good source of folic acid, and I have some baby spinach to use instead of lettuce." He looked over at me to see if I'd protest.

"Sure, just make it quick, Katie's getting unsettled."

He nodded and actually seemed to work faster. He brought the plate over to the kitchen table with a large cup of milk, and then he went to work on his lunch. He sat across from me, giving me a smile, when he saw that I had already finished half my sandwich by the time he joined me.

"Would you like a glass of water?" he asked getting up. He grabbed one, setting it down next to my half-empty cup of milk.

"Thanks," I tried to focus on my sandwich. His house was a lot nicer than my little apartment. It was making me feel like white trash again.

"So, do you rent this?"

"No, I bought it once I knew my residency was approved here. My parents were here, so I figured this was where I would settle down."

"But you put in to move to Waco?"

He looked down at his plate and then back up to me, like he was trying to find the right words. "I'd like to get to know you better, Clara. I'd like to visit with my kids more." He looked nervous, like I'd rip his head off. I was on the verge of it, too.

Katie gave me a good hard kick, making my whole tummy shift, stealing my attention. When I looked up from her, I saw his smiling face focused on my belly.

"She always gets wiggly after I eat." I sat up straighter, trying to get more room to breathe.

"That's good; her wiggling is a good sign that she's healthy."

I let out a yawn. Moving around was exhausting. Dr. Coust had said I should start my leave two weeks before my due date, and I was thinking I was going to take her up on it.

"Would you like to rest? I have a guestroom."

I hesitated only a moment, but I was too tired to refuse. He led me to a guestroom that looked kind of girly. I raised a brow in question, and he actually blushed a little. "It's kind of my mom's room, too. She stays here a lot when my dad is traveling. Believe me, she won't mind at all."

"What does she think of you moving to Waco?"

"She's okay with it. She's been talking to my dad about moving up there, too, so she can be closer to her grandbabies."

I lay down on the bed, and he grabbed a couple of pillows out of the closet. He tucked one between my knees and one under my belly. If it didn't help so much, I would have told him to leave me alone. "Are you comfortable?" He actually looked worried I wouldn't be.

"Yeah, I'm good, thanks." He nodded and walked out.

He was making it hard for me not to like him. I was supposed to stay mad and keep him away from my babies, but he wasn't acting like the asshole I remembered. He wasn't acting like the jerk I'd met with at the bar. It seemed like once he knew the kids were his, he'd done a complete one-eighty and was bending over backwards to be nice. I was fully aware that he could sue for visitations. My father had brought it up, worried they might cause trouble. Trent never once hinted at it. I wondered if Maylene kept him at bay. I did let her see Tyler a lot. He loved her, and she was easy to get along with, but a little manipulative with the way she was trying to push Trent and I together.

When I woke from my nap, I made my way back to the front of the house. I saw Trent sitting on his couch, hunched over his coffee table. Even from a distance, I could tell he was looking at some pictures I'd taken of Tyler and Maylene.

When I made myself known, he quickly moved them to a drawer in the coffee table. His eyes were glassy. "Feeling better?" he asked with a smile.

"Yeah, I get tired so fast lately. I think I'm going to start my leave at thirty-eight weeks."

"That's probably a good idea. Do you have everything you need? Are you all set up for her to come home?"

"Yeah, I've just got a couple of things to take care of still. Mostly just washing and putting away baby clothes."

He nodded like he was approving the task, which was just ridiculous. It wasn't any of his business. "That's good; you're only nine days away from thirty-eight weeks, Clara. It's very common for babies to come around that time, and in two days, you'll be thirty-seven weeks. We take babies that early if issues arise. Basically, she could come anytime now." He actually looked worried. He was an OB/GYN. He should know there was nothing to worry about.

There was a knock on his door, and he jumped up, getting it like he was thankful for the interruption. "Trent, dear, could you please come help me with a light bulb?"

I looked to see who it was and saw it was the old lady up the street. "Sure, Ms. Thelma, just let me tell my company."

"Oh, bring her along, dear. We don't want to keep her waiting. I'll entertain her while you work."

Trent looked back at me questioningly. I just picked up my sweater, letting him know I was okay with it. He helped Thelma down the steps, and then he reached up, helping me down as well.

"Are you okay to walk?" he asked.

I just nodded and started waddling after them.

Trent helped her up the steps of her home and then me as well. She walked us into a hallway with a broken light. I noticed a golf ball just a little ways down away from the broken glass. I had a feeling she had done this on purpose. I guess the tramps weren't kidding when they said it was a small town, and they all knew he wasn't getting around.

"Come into the kitchen with me, dear. We don't want you getting cut on the glass."

Trent pulled a stepladder out of a hall closet, which made me realize he most likely did this often.

"So, how do you know our Trent? He's a nice boy, isn't he?"

"Yes, he seems to be." I looked back down the hallway.

"Are you a patient of his? I haven't seen you around before."

"No, actually, I live in Waco."

"Waco, bigger place than Livingston, probably lots of hoodlums. Didn't our Trent go to school up there?"

"Yes, actually, we were in college together."

"Oh, how nice, so you came down to visit with him?" I nodded yes and saw her chance a glance at my hand, looking for a ring. "Is there anyone missing you back in Waco?"

"No, I don't think so." I shifted in the uncomfortable chair.

"You know, Trent is a woman's doctor. I hear he's a very good one. You should have him see about your little one there," she pointed at my belly. "He's safe to have around your womanhood. There are rumors going around that he's a little fruity," she flopped her hand like a gay person might, and I snickered and looked down the hall, where Trent was sweeping up the glass. "You can't get a safer person than a fruity man looking down there," she nodded at me.

"That's very true," I smirked. "I'm pretty sure he's not gay, though."

She actually pouted a little. "That Vera better not be right. He's not going into the priesthood, is he?"

"Why would you think that?"

"Well, dear, he's been here for nearly three years and hasn't once taken a lady on a date. A man has needs you know," she nodded at me like it was a fact.

I giggled a little. "Oh, I know all about his needs."

She got a big grin on her face and leaned forward. "Do you now? He has been spending a lot of time up in Waco. We all just assumed it was to help out his brother with the new baby."

"Yes, that's what he's been doing."

She actually pouted. "He's a sweet man like that."

I wondered if I should tell her about Katie. The tramps knew, and so did everyone at the hospital. Trent came walking in. "All done. What have you ladies been chatting about?"

"Oh, I was just telling Ms. Thelma that you're not gay or going into the priesthood."

He started coughing, shocked. "Uh, no, no, I'm not."

"Yes, I know, I have proof." I patted my belly, and her whole face lit up.

"Really?"

Trent put his hand on my shoulder, and I saw him smiling widely. "Yes, actually, Clara is carrying my little girl." He smiled down at me. "We have a son as well."

"Oh, my, you're not gay then?"

"No, not gay," he said pulling me out of the chair. Then he did the cutest thing. He handed her the golf ball with a grin. "Tell Ms. Vera I said hi."

She giggled and waved at him. "Can't pull a fast one on you."

We weren't even all the way out the door yet, when I heard Thelma talking excitedly into the phone. "Vera, I have some great news on our Trent!"

I giggled, as he helped me down the step. "So, you're her Trent?"

He shrugged. "I'm pretty sure all the old ladies claim me as theirs. They all seem to have light bulbs that need changing and leaky faucets. I clean the occasional gutter as well, while they pry, looking for something on me. I'm just really boring. I guess they didn't realize that, until you told them I'm not gay or a priest." He grinned to himself. "I should've come up with something exciting, like I was a newt, because I had to take care of the queen of England's health."

I started laughing, but slowed my steps when a contraction hit. They weren't uncommon when I was walking around, and if I laughed, I was almost guaranteed one.

"Are you alright? I noticed you've been rubbing your back a lot today. Is it hurting more than usual?"

"No, I'm fine. It was just sleeping in a strange bed, and Katie doesn't like me shaking her around when I laugh."