Page 52 of Tangled
Brad smiled. “Not exactly a scientific basis for my guess, but it’s as good a guess as any. Do you want to find out the sex before the birth?”
She shook her head. “A lot of people want to know, but I kind of don’t. In my life, and in my work, not much surprises me. This may sound weird, but I want that moment in the delivery room.”
He twined his fingers with hers. “Then we’ll be surprised.”
“You don’t mind?”
He shook his head. “The most important thing to me is that you both are healthy. Everything else is a bonus.”
***
“I don’t want to check you into the hospital, but I don’t like how long this is lingering,” Kara said, pulling the IV needle out of her vein and pressing a gauze pad to the puncture wound.
“I’m just twelve weeks,” Scarlett responded as the anti-nausea concoction Kara had given her started working its magic. She’d had a few blissful days of barely any nausea, but that streak hadn’t held. Although, to be fair, despite feeling as thoughshe’d taken two steps back in the past two days, she still had more hours when she felt fine than she had a few weeks ago. So she’d made progress, but not as much as she’d like.
Kara sighed. “I know. I just hate seeing you like this. I’m sure it’s even worse for Brad. Although neither of our experiences hold a candle to yours.”
“I never thought I’d ever have kids. I’d never even thought I wanted them until I found out about this,” Scarlett said, setting a hand on her still-flat—though curvy—stomach. “I’m not enjoying the sickness, but if it’s part of what this whole process is about, then I’ll take it.”
Kara regarded her. Then, after a beat, she set her medical bag down, rounded the bed, and lay down beside her. Scarlett smiled. How many times had they lain next to each other on separate cots in some far-flung place on the planet? She wouldn’t change any of those experiences for the world, but she appreciated the excellent mattress, fluffy comforter, and beautiful view they had now.
“Are you and Brad doing okay?” she asked.
Scarlett weighed her response before answering. “We are,” she said truthfully. “It’s weird, and I try not to analyze it too much. There was something there that very first night we met. I’ve never believed in things like soulmates or anything like that. And I’m not sure I’ve changed my mind. The way my body seemed to pull to him, though… The way it seemed to recognize something about him. I can’t explain it.”
“You don’t need to,” Kara said. “I know the feeling. Sometimes we meet people that we justknoware supposed to be a part of our lives. Maybe as a friend, or possibly as something more. Maybe there’s even some chemical or biological component to it. Regardless, it is what it is. It was like that when I met Ethan, too. Not quite as sexual at first. But the need to have him in my life was a feeling that anchored itself inmy body the first time I met him. There was no other optionbutto have him in my life. It grew from there, obviously, and I do know what you mean.”
“Any chance you can tell me whether it’s all smooth sailing? I mean, if there is such a thing as soulmates, it should be easy, right?” She knew the answer, of course. But as someone who didn’t tend to invest in romantic relationships, she was unsure how she’d handle things when they got tough.
Kara chuckled. “Not even remotely,” she said. “Well, that’s not entirely true. We haven’t had any huge issues. Our values and the things we care about and that are important to us align. But they say it’s rarely those huge issues that drive people apart—rather, it’s the small ones. The death by a thousand paper cuts kind of thing. And there are plenty of small things that irritate me. Just as Iknowthere are things I do that irritate Ethan. So far, though, we’ve managed to keep our disagreements reasonable.” She paused. “I hope this doesn’t come out wrong, but in all the years I’ve known you, you’ve never been in a relationship that lasted longer than our current assignment. Even then, there were less than a handful. Now, you and Brad are having a baby together. A lifetime commitment if you’re lucky. If you’re worried about navigating something that’s long-term—whether you stay together or not—we have a great psychologist on staff. She’s not touchy-feely, which I think you’d appreciate, and she’s very good.”
Scarlett made a noncommittal noise, but Kara pressed on. “Where you grew up and the work you chose to do didn’t lend itself to building relationships and trusting people. Now you sort of don’t have a choice. Not if you want a healthy relationship with both your baby and its father. Then, on top of all that, you are now part of the Warwick clan. They are all wonderful, and I wouldn’t change any of them for the world, but sometimes they can be a lot. Thankfully, Ethan can sense when I start to feeloverwhelmed, and he helps me cope. Usually by taking me for a walk or making some excuse for why I need to leave a gathering. I suspect, if you let him, Brad will help you, too. But in the meantime, or in addition to, Dr. Garcia is always an option.”
Scarlett thought about all the little things Brad noticed and she agreed with Kara. She didn’t know how everything would take shape with her and the Warwicks. She genuinely liked everyone she’d met so far. But it had been a week, and only time would tell.
“Have you heard anything from the lab yet on the DNA?” she asked, changing the subject. She and Brad wouldn’t be able to get on with their life as a couple until they figured out what happened to Gracie and whether Scarlett now faced the same threat.
“No, I’ll call and check today,” Kara answered. The doorbell rang right as she finished speaking. “Are you expecting anyone?”
Scarlett shook her head and started to rise. Kara motioned for her to stay, and she rose to answer. Two minutes later, she returned with Sabina in tow.
“How’s Gabriella?” Scarlett asked, shifting to sit with her back against the headboard.
Sabina grinned and unceremoniously plopped across the bottom of the bed as Kara retook the spot beside her. “Adorable.”
“You and Chad are trying for number two, aren’t you?” Kara said.
Sabina tipped her head. “Not yet. All those twins sort of scared me off.”
“We were angels,” Kara said in mock outrage. “What could you, a twin, possibly have against twins?”
Sabina arched a brow. “Do you want twins the second time around? Are you ready for three?” Kara blanched. “Exactly,” Sabina continued. “But it’s not in our control, so what canwe do?” She shrugged. “We either stop at one, which we’ve considered, or we try for another and roll the dice. We’ll figure it out. We always do. And if there was ever a family happy to welcome more kids, it’s the Warwicks.”
“So, are you going to go for it?” Kara pressed.
“Like I said, not yet. Chad’s not getting any younger, though. And don’t pretend you and Ethan aren’t thinking about it.”
“Oh my god, so many babies,” Scarlett said, her head spinning. “Who’snothaving one or two?”
