Page 5 of New Year, New Baby
I didn’t even hesitate.
“Of course, sweetheart.Whatever you want.I’ll make it happen.”
Betsy smiled tremulously, caressing my cheek with soft fingers even as she faded from view.
“Thank you, Hunter,” her voice came faintly, as if only an echo.“I’ll always love you.”
Then, I woke up, sweating and panting in the dark.I’ve dreamt of my wife in the past, but never so vividly before.I could almost sense Betsy’s presence in the room, and smell the sweetness of her perfume.But alas, it was only the rank sex-stench of the woman next to me, our sweat and body fluids combining in a toxic stew.
Clearly, I got rid of her fast.My date was gone by early the next morning, and I made good on my promise to my late wife.I called Burt immediately, and we set plans in motion for Nova to move into my house that fall, in time to start senior year.It wouldn’t be a big deal.She could live on the second floor, as I continued to occupy the fourth.We’d have an entire floor between us, and Nova was eighteen.The young woman was legally an adult, and free to come and go as she pleased, as long as she didn’t bother me.
But my plans went haywire from the get-go.It was embarrassing actually.I’d known Nova was going to arrive in late August, but she didn’t give me an exact date.So I was having breakfast with my latest paramour when suddenly, my housekeeper informed me that we had a visitor.
“At 9 a.m.?”I asked, scowling.“What the fuck?”
“I’m afraid so, Dr.Taggart,” Sofia murmured, straightening her apron.“Should I ask her to come back?”
“No, I’ll tell her myself,” I growled before standing abruptly, causing the chair to fall backwards.“Who the fuck knocks on my door so early Saturday morning?Excuse me, sweetheart,” I said to my female guest.“I’ll be right back after taking care of this shitshow.”
“You do that,” the insipid blonde giggled while nibbling a piece of toast.“Oooh, I almost want to watch!”
I ignored her while stalking to the front door, cinching my bathrobe tighter around my waist.Yeah, I was naked beneath the terrycloth but who the fuck cared?This visitor was about to get a piece of my mind.
Throwing open the front door, I opened my mouth, ready to bark out insults.But the shout died in my throat because a gorgeous young woman stood on my front stoop, nervously biting her lip.
“Hi,” she murmured in a tremulous voice.“Hunter, it’s me.Nova.Betsy’s daughter.”
My jaw dropped to the floor.Holy fuck,thiswas Nova?My mind went on the fritz, like an old-time TV going grainy black and white.I recalled a couple of Christmas cards from years past, which had photos of Nova with Santa, but that was when she was a child.By contrast, the young woman before me definitely wasn’t a child whatsoever because Nova had developed.
The woman before me was busty, wearing a tight sweater that highlighted enormous Double D breasts.Her waist was narrow before flaring into wide hips hugged by soft denim, complete with long legs and feet encased in cowboy boots.Long ringlets of blonde hair hung down her back, but it was the girl’s innocent expression that got to me.Big blue eyes stared into mine, a gorgeous cornflower shade that reminded me of wide open skies and carefree summer days.
“Nova?”I managed in a croaky voice.“What are you doing here?”
The young woman gestured to a cluster of suitcases on the stoop behind her.
“I thought my dad told you,” she said in a slow voice.“I’m moving in with you for senior year,” she says.“Is that okay?I mean, if it’s not I guess I could try to find an apartment somewhere.”
“No, it’s fine,” I growl in a deep voice, recovering myself.“Did Burt say you were coming today though?Oh shit, I’m sorry, I’m not dressed.”
Her blue eyes flicked up and down my bathrobe-clad frame, and was it my imagination, or did I see a flicker of appreciation in her gaze?But Nova looked away quickly before nodding again.
“I think so,” she murmured.“Burt told me that you guys agreed on today, although maybe you meant the afternoon?I’m sorry I’m here so early.My dad actually just took off for Dubai, and he dropped me off on his way to the airport.I can call him, if you want.I’m sure that he’s still on his way to JFK,” she said, fumbling in her purse for a phone.
But I shook my head.
“No, it’s fine,” I growled.“I’m sorry I got the time mixed up.Come on in.I have a guest right now, but let me get rid of her.”
Nova looked startled, immediately intuiting that I had a female visitor based on the time of day, and my lack of clothing.
“Oh, I can come back,” she gasped, cheeks coloring.“I can even wait at a coffee shop around the corner, or—”
“No need,” I rasped, already bending over to take a large suitcase in each hand.I could feel my bathrobe parting in the front, but it wasn’t a big deal because I stood up immediately, the suitcases light as a feather in my firm grasp.“Like I said, it’s not a problem.I’ll ask Sofia to get the guest bedroom set-up too, if it isn’t already.”
With that, it was done.Nova moved into my townhouse and life went on.She started senior year at La Salle, and I continued working as an ob-gyn, seeing women of all ages through their reproductive years and beyond.Yet there was a shift in the atmosphere.I suppose that’s to be expected when a young woman moves into a confirmed bachelor’s home, but I was surprised nonetheless.
The change was imperceptible at first.Sure, we shared some meals occasionally, and it was fine.They were courteous affairs, and nothing more.But over time, there came to be something more.I could scent a whiff of Nova’s perfume in the hallway, or see her umbrella in the stand by the front door.Sometimes, I could hear a soft feminine voice on the phone when I walked up the stairs past her suite, and occasionally, there would be baked goods in the kitchen.
“Who’s making this shit?”I growled at Sofia, staring at what appeared to be a mountain of buttery scones.“You know I never eat dessert, much less pastries and cupcakes and the like.Shit like this has craploads of sugar.”
