Page 37 of Daddy's Pursuit
“Oh, honey. It’s just a blood pressure cuff. Just going to check your BP.”
Iris looked at Jack.
“It’s okay, sweetheart. It doesn’t hurt,” he assured her.
Iris felt silly. She’d never had her blood pressure checked. They probably thought she was pretty pitiful. She made a mental note to act as if she’d been to the doctor before.
“Let’s just wrap this around your cute little arm like so,” the nurse said as she went about her business. She fastened the Velcro on the black cuff and then stepped back. “Now, think happy thoughts. You’re nervous, so your blood pressure is probably going to be a little high. But we want an accurate reading, to see what it normally is. Not when you’re scared. Does that make sense, honey?”
“Yes, ma’am.”
“Okay. So think about something makes you happy. What is your favorite memory ever?”
Iris didn’t even have to think about that question. “Last night I went out for ice cream with Daddy!”
She’d blurted the words before she even realized what she’d said.
Oh no! She’d called Jack Daddy! Was that going to freak him out?
But as he put a hand on her knee, she realized he was delighted.
“That’s your favorite memory,” he noted whimsically to himself. He then leaned over, gave her a kiss on the side of her head, and then said, “Just wait until we leave here. If you’re a big, brave girl we’ll go on an adventure. I have a fun surprise for you.”
All Iris could do was giggle.
Did this mean that Jack was for sure her Daddy?
So lost in thought about that, she didn’t even realize that the cuff had tightened around her arm until it was decompressing.“119 over 78. Pretty good,” the nurse said as she unfastened the device. “Okay, now, is your diaper wet?”
Iris giggled and blushed hard. She was wearing “big girl” shorts. But sure enough, she had on a bulky nappy beneath them. It was dry, though.
“No,” she finally said.
She looked at Jack to see him grinning, the affection he felt obvious in his eyes. “You’re too cute,” he muttered, seemingly speaking more to himself than her.
“Well, can you tinkle for me, honey?” Pam asked. “We need to get a urine sample and we can take it from your diaper. No need to mess with the cup or anything.”
Just then, a knock on the door jarred the Little a bit. A second later, the doctor came in.
He was a tall, extremely handsome, distinguished-looking man with dark hair that was flecked by silvering sides. He wore dark shoes, dark dress slacks, a blue shirt, and a white lab coat. A stethoscope hung around his neck. It almost seemed like he’d been pulled right out of central casting to play a physician role on a soap opera.
“Jack! How are you, buddy?” The doc extended his hand.
Jack stood, shook it, and returned his smile. “Better now that I’m off work for a bit and with my sweet girl.”
Iris nearly melted. So, Jackdidthink of her as his.
Mmm. This was a nice development.
It relaxed her a bit, too.
“Man, when you called and said you had a cutie, I didn’t know just how cute she would be. Goodness! I think she’s the cutest one I’ve seen in a long time!” The doctor flashed his million-dollar grin at Iris. “Hello, honey. I’m Dr. Tim Sellecca. It’s nice to meet you.”
Iris kept petting Benson. “It’s nice meeting you, too, sir.”
“She’s as polite as she is cute,” the physician said. “Alright. Where are we in the exam?”
“I just took her blood pressure. It’s good, too.” The nurse showed him.
