Page 109 of Fourteen of a Kind

“To put this away and refill my water.”

“Uh, I can do that for you, babe.”

“It’s fine. I can do it.” She smiled.

I placed my hands behind my head, and suddenly, I heard Ella scream my name. Jumping out of bed, I flew down the stairs and saw her standing with the freezer drawer open.

“What is all this?” she asked.

“Ice cream.” I furrowed my brows.

“Six gallons, Graham? What are you trying to say? HUH?” she spoke with irritation. “Are you trying to make me fatter than I already am?” Her eyes narrowed.

“Babe, calm down.” I shut the freezer and gripped her shoulders. “Your dad?—”

“My dad? What does my dad have to do with this? Did he go to the store with you?”

“Yes,” I answered. “And he told me to buy six gallons so I didn’t have to keep running to the store every other day.”

“That was actually a good idea.” She kissed my lips. “I’m sorry for yelling.”

“Don’t be.” I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her into me. “I know how uncomfortable you are, and I would do anything to make you feel better.”

“Is that an invitation for sex?” she asked.

“I didn’t realize I had to send one.” A smirk crossed my lips.

“You don’t. But I’m taking you up on your offer to make me feel better, Dr. Malone. I need you to work your magical doctor skills on me.” She took hold of my hand and led me up the stairs.

CHAPTER 35

Ella

I was due in two weeks, and the baby couldn’t come fast enough. Comfort wasn’t my friend these days, and neither was my bladder. I’d never peed so much in my life. Waddling my way through the hospital, I placed my hand on my belly, for I was experiencing some serious Braxton hicks. I tried to ignore it the best I could while I scrubbed in for an important surgery.

“Are you okay, Dr. Kind?” Gabby, one of the scrub nurses, asked as she gowned me.

“Yeah. I’m fine.” I smiled. “Okay, people. Let’s get this surgery started.

“Your patient is out, Dr. Kind.”

“Thanks, Marty.”

As I cut open the patient’s head, the Braxton hicks intensified.

“Can someone please turn down the air? It’s sweltering in here.”

Gabby walked over with a cloth and dabbed my forehead.

“Thank you.” I inhaled a sharp breath as the pain wrapped around my back. “Oh God.” I removed my hands from the patient’s head and doubled over.

“Dr. Kind?” Dr. Sommers said.

“Are you in labor?” Gabby asked.

“I’m fine.” I stood up straight as the pain passed. The entire surgical team stared at me.

I continued working on the patient, trying to get to the tumor. Beads of sweat formed faster than Gabby could wipe them away, and another round of pain shot through me, causing me to drop one of my instruments.

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