Page 57 of Hayes

"Slight. More in my lower back. Why?"

"Because I have to get all the information before I do the exam. Spotting is normal during the first trimester."

"I cannot lose my baby." She was near to tears and hanging on by a thread. Where the hell was he?

"And you won't. Let's get you into the examination room."

She was in the middle of the ultrasound when Hayes came rushing in.

"Traffic," he said briefly, moving immediately toward the cot to take her hand.

"Dr. Hensen, I presume?"

"Yes. Very nice to meet you." The woman threw him a smile. "Just a routine examination. Your blood pressure is a little elevated, but that's to be expected. And there it is."

"What?" Camelia demanded, gripping his hand.

"The heartbeat. It's very strong, and everything seems to be in order."

"Are you sure?" Lifting their joined hands, Hayes brushed his lips over hers.

"I am. Nothing to worry about. Take the rest of the day off, the spotting will probably continue for the rest of the day, but like I said, it's normal. I am going to give you something for the nausea as well as some folic acid."

Putting away the instrument, she turned the machine off. "I will leave you to get dressed. Meet me in the office when you are done."

"I overreacted," Camelia said, blowing out a breath. "And you were probably in some life-altering meeting when I called."

"Not life-altering, and you are supposed to call. That's what I am here for." Plucking tissues out of the box, he wiped the gel off her belly gently. "It does not matter what kind of meeting I am in; I will always come running. I apologize. I did not hear my phone ringing."

"It's fine. I am fine now."

He was helping her with her sweater when his phone rang.

"You have to get that?"

“I told my assistant to only forward the urgent calls..." He stared at the number and realized it was the doctor calling him back.

"What is it?"

"Nothing important. I will let it go to voicemail." He shoved the phone into his pocket and finished dressing her.

*****

"Hungry?" They had decided to come to her place because it was closer.

"Just a little. I just want to rest for a little bit."

"How about I accompany you upstairs and come back to make some tea?" he suggested.

Cocking a brow at him, she shook her head. "I can make it upstairs on my own, and tea sounds nice. Remember what we agreed on?"

"That I would not hover?" he asked lightly. "I am just being very attentive."

"Uh-huh." Walking into his arms, she inhaled his scent. "I love you so much, and I am so happy you are my baby's daddy."

He smiled, his arms coming around her waist. "I consider that to be a compliment." Kissing her on top of the head, he eased her away from him. "Go and get some rest, I will be there shortly."

Waiting until she left the room and was halfway up the stairs, he went into the kitchen. Plucking the phone out of his pocket, he returned the call. "Dr. Glendon, please. I am returning his call."