Fortunately-and maybe because he wasnt sure how she would answer-he didnt give her a chance. This is the first time this has happened, right? No other fainting episodes we should let the doc know about?
Dizzy a few times, but they always passed after a second.
At the OBs office, he helped her out of the car, his manner solicitous, but his tight grip on her hand crushing. Feeling firsthand how much shed alarmed him, she managed not to wince. She let him hold on, sensing that he needed it.
A different nurse than the one theyd last seen ushered them back to wait for Dr. McDermott. Unlike his usual charming self, David was terse, never taking his eyes from Rachel even when he spoke to others. After a quick exam, Dr. McDermott declared there was no reason for worry.
Everything seems fine, she said in her most soothing professional voice. This isnt uncommon. Youve got extra blood going to your uterus and legs now, your circulatory systems got some adjusting to do. Stand slowly, dont lock your knees, stay hydrated. Make sure youre getting plenty of protein so that your blood sugar doesnt get too low. You did the right thing by coming in today, but I dont want you to worry unduly. If it happens again, well monitor the situation and maybe run a few tests.
Thanks. Rachel breathed a sigh of relief. So I dont have to go on bed rest or anything?
Lydia chuckled. No. But it wouldnt hurt for you to take it easy today and keep your feet up.
Taken care of, David said, finally starting to regain color in his face.
He looked so adamant that Rachel had a sudden vision of him moving all five of Winnies pets into their house so he could babysit her round the clock.
Once they were back in the car, she told him, Sorry about today. Scaring you like that.
You dont need to apologize. Its not like you did it on purpose. Although- he gave her a wan smile -Id appreciate it if you could avoid doing it again. Im going to take you home, get you settled. Then Ill go by Winnies, make sure everyones fed and give the dogs some playtime outside. Hildies getting great at fetch. She jumps up to catch the ball and rarely misses. But after Ive taken care of them, Ill be back to check on you and fix dinner. Any requests?
Whatevers easiest.
When they got to the house, he unlocked the door, waiting as she preceded him inside. It could have been any one of a hundred times-them coming back from Sunday lunch at his parents, returning from a soccer game hed coached, getting home after a town meeting. Dont forget doctor visits. Theyd come home from lots of different doctors visits in varying moods-optimistic that they might finally get their baby, frustrated that, after long months, nothing had changed, devastated that the pregnancy had terminated.
Wow. He looked past her at the coffee table in the living room. Photos, stickers, scissors and construction paper all lay in assorted piles. Someones been busy.
The scrapbook, she reminded him. You think they know?
David shrugged. Nobodys mentioned it to me, but what are the chances? Its impossible to keep a secret here.
Not impossible, she murmured. She didnt think anyone knew about their separation. Anyone whod seen the way he cradled her and carried her to the car today probably wouldnt believe her even if she told them.
He swung his gaze from the scrapbooking supplies back to her. We should get you to bed.
Typical guy, she teased, wanting to keep his earlier worry at bay. Only one thing on his mind.
He didnt smile, though. If I thought there was even the slightest chance youd let me join you
His words skittered along her nerve endings, and she experienced a Technicolor flashback to her dreams of the night before. Thankfully, he was too concerned about her to attempt a seduction, because she seriously doubted she could resist right now.
Tell you what, he suggested, why dont you go to the bedroom and change into something comfy? Ill go pour you a drink. What do you feel like? Maybe I can bring you a snack, too.
Rachel thought about it for a minute. Apples-
-and peanut butter, with a glass of milk? David grinned at her. Coming right up.
He knew her well, she thought as she changed into pajama bottoms and a faded Henley shirt. And he took good care of her, especially in situations like todays.
Was she an idiot ever to have resented that? So she had a husband who couldnt grasp that there were times she didnt want him to ride to her rescue, striding in like some mythological hero with answers on how to solve all her problems-big deal. At least he tried; at least he cared. Even though the crisis today had been brief, during those terrifying moments when shed worried something might have happened to the baby, shed thanked God she didnt have to go through it alone.
Pasting pictures of Lilah and Tanner into the album, shed thought over and over about what that couple had been through. Tanner had panicked once and left; it had been a huge leap of faith for Lilah to take him back, trusting that he wouldnt hurt her again. Now they looked at each other as if they were the only two people in the world, radiating so much happiness that seeing them was like staring directly into the sun. It would have been understandable if Lilah had refused to give him another chance, but then, think about how much she would have been missing now.
Think about what youre missing. Rachel climbed beneath the sheets, her hand smoothing over the side where David had always slept.
He appeared in the doorway of their room carrying a wooden tray. A tart green apple was sliced and slathered with crunchy peanut butter, just the way she liked. A glass of skim milk sat next to the plate.
Her stomach rumbled in anticipation. What with being so busy fainting and causing panic, shed missed lunch. Thank you.
He put the tray across her lap, then sat gingerly on the side of the bed. When was the last time theyd been here together? A wry smile touched the corner of her lips as she recalled the sonogram picture. About ten weeks ago.
Anything else you need? he asked her.
It was such a loaded question that she merely shook her head, not trusting herself to speak. She took a bite of apple just for the extra security.
All right. Im going to run to Winnies for a little while. The cordless phone is right there on the nightstand, and Ill have my cell with me at all times. If you need anything
I know. She licked a spot of peanut butter off her finger. And I appreciate it.
He watched her eat, so intent that she held a slice toward him.
Want one? she asked.
He huffed out an amused sound that was more than a sigh but not fully a laugh. You and your peanut-butter apples. Sure, why not? He leaned forward to take the end with his teeth while his hand came up to hold the other half. His breath was warm against her skin.
Rachel shivered.
He straightened immediately, swallowing a bite of apple. You cold? I can turn up the heat. Or get another blanket out of the closet.
No, Im not cold at all. It was justone of those involuntary muscle things. She washed down the lie with some milk, struggling with the question she wanted to ask. David? There is one thing.
Absolutely. He got to his feet, looking relieved to have a task. You name it.
Before you go She worried at her bottom lip with her teeth, feeling weak for what she was about to ask and hoping it didnt qualify as a selfish mixed signal, but she was still so shaken from earlier. Before you go, could you maybe just hold me for a minute?
His expression was comically dumbfounded. Whatever hed been expecting, that hadnt been it. All right, he said slowly. I can do that.
Sitting against the headboard, he scooted over until he was almost behind her. She moved the tray onto the nightstand and leaned back, reclining against his chest. Breathing in the scent of him, she let her eyes close, sighing when his arms went around her.
She shifted suddenly, realizing how still and quiet he was behind her. David?
Yeah?
Just checking.
He smoothed a hand over her head, trailing it to the end of her dark hair. Im here, babe. For as long as you need me to be.
Tears pricked her eyes at the sweet poignancy of the moment. This was exactly what shed needed, although it might have been unfair to ask him for it.
Within minutes, she was unsuccessfully stifling yawns. You should go, she mumbled. Once I fall asleep, Ill be a dead weight on top of you.
There are worse things that could happen. But when she propped herself on her elbows, he obligingly slid free. Ill lock the door behind me. You just nap. Sweet dreams, Rach.
Her eyes flew open, and she gave a startled laugh.
Did I say something funny?
No. No, its just that She didnt want to explain that, here in their marriage bed, she was haunted by hot dreams of him. Closing her eyes again, she turned onto her side. When I left for Winnies, was it hard for you to be here? In our house?
He stood, not answering for a long moment. Its hard to be without you no matter where I am.
Chapter Twelve
A houseful of laughing women was the complete opposite of the quiet, complicated intimacy of the night before, when David had returned to cook Rachel chicken and pasta. Tonights dinner was Chinese takeout. Arianne had ordered enough to feed an entire sorority house.
Since Rachel and Davids house was larger than Ariannes garage apartment or either half of Lilah and Quinns duplex, the women had agreed to meet here for the Bubble Party. At the reception, before the bride and grooms departure, attendants would hand small decorated bottles of bubbles to each guest. The catch was, someone actually had to decorate three hundred clear plastic bottles in the appropriate wedding colors. With Tanner and Lilah both having spent most of their lives in Mistletoe, theyd invited the majority of the town.
Rachel had carefully hidden her scrapbook materials, and the entire bridal party except Vonda (who was hoping to hit a jackpot on a seniors trip to the Biloxi casinos) gathered at six-thirty. While the glue guns heated up, the women gorged themselves on mu shu pork, beef with broccoli, shrimp lo mein and egg rolls. Afterward, they formed an assembly line in the living room, wedding-themed movies playing in the background for ambiance.
By the time Nia Vardalos and John Corbett had overcome cultural obstacles and meddling family in My Big Fat Greek Wedding, one heart-shaped basket was already full of completed bottles of bubbles. Halfway through Father of the Bride, Arianne got up to dig out the corkscrew from the back of a kitchen drawer. Shed brought over two bottles of wine from a Georgia vineyard.