Page 36 of Her Dark Melody
As he turned to go, Ebony called out to him. “Thank you, Cormac…and please, consider my request. That’s all Iask.”
Cormac nodded again, holding Ebony’s gaze a beat too long, then left them alone. Atlas pulled up a chair next to the bed. He brought her hand to his lips and kissed it. “How are youfeeling?”
“Crampy,” Ebony winced as another hit. “God, I know I said I didn’t know what I wanted before, and when I found out I was pregnant, I didn’t know what to do, but I hope to God that I don’t loseher.”
Atlas kissed her softly and said nothing, the pain of so much loss already etched deeply in hisface.
In a few minutes, an OBGYN joined them. Dr. Melissa Fraser smiled at Ebony as she closed the curtains around them. “Hey there, I hear you’ve been having some pretty painfulcramps?”
Ebony nodded, and Atlas, holding her hand, studied the doctor. “Is it usual to have these symptoms so early in the pregnancy? She’s been having morning sicknesstoo.”
“How far along areyou?”
“About six weeks orso.”
“Well,” the doctor was examining her stomach, “it’s probably just cramping from the fetus attaching itself to your uterus. Are youspotting?”
“Alittle.”
Dr. Fraser nodded. “Then I would be inclined to think that this is that. But we’ll run a few tests and do some scans to make sure you’re not experiencing anything like a tubular pregnancy. Is there anything in either of your medical histories I should knowabout?”
Ebony and Atlas looked at each other for a long moment then Atlas, clearing his throat, spoke. “Doctor…I’m not the biological father of this child, although I am hoping Ebony will let me be his or her father, to besure.”
“Ah, okay.” The doctor’s face wasn’t judgmental in the least much to Ebony’s relief. “So, do you know anything about thefather?”
Ebony’s face burned bright red. “I’m sorry, Idon’t.”
“Well, not to worry, let’s just concentrate on you,Mommy.”
The doctor ran through some basic questions as she examined Ebony, then left them alone while she went to find an available scanner. Atlas kissed Ebony softly. “Are you okay,honey?”
Ebony nodded. “I feel a little foolish, but yes, I’m okay. It does make me realize how little I’m prepared to be a mother though if I don’t even know the basics ofpregnancy.”
“Sweetheart, that’s something we can do something about. Classes, online research, talking to Artemis, or Romy – when she’s better, ofcourse.”
“Of course.” Ebony leaned into Atlas’s touch as he cupped her face in his palm. “Maybe after we’re done here, we can go up and seeher.”
“I’ll call Blue and see if she’s up to it.Afterthe scan,” he added as Dr. Fraser returned. Ebony grinned at him, at the excitement in his eyes. She loved how the thought of being a father thrilled him. How Cormac could say he wasn’tqualified…
Midway through the scan, the doctor smiled at her. “Well, all is well, Ebony. I think it’s just the fetus implanting itself and causing you some pain. Obviously, if it continues or your bleeding gets worse, comeback.”
Ebony thanked the doctor,and in a few minutes she was dressed and ready to go. Atlas was on the phone as she signed some paperwork and as she turned, she was surprised to see Cormac standing out in the corridor, staring at her. Ebony stepped toward him, then stopped as she registered the dislike on his face. It was so palpable it shocked her, and she gaped at his retreating back as he turned and stalked away from her. What had she donewrong?
Fuck.Her hormones were working against her now, and her eyes filled with easy tears. She quickly dashed them away before Atlas could see them. He wrapped his arms around her now. “Blue says Romy is sleeping at the moment but we can go sit with her for awhile.”
“Okay.”
Atlas looked down at her. “Youokay?”
Ebony nodded, and kissed him. “Always with you.” And she took his hand and led him to thestairwell.
Blue steppedout of Romy’s room to take the call from Det. Halsey. “Did you arrestFranks?”
He heard the hesitation in John Halsey’s voice. “He got away. He knew we were coming anddisappeared.”
Blue cussed loudly. “Jesus, Halsey! How did this happen? Who screwedus?”
“We’re working on it, Doc, I promise. Until we get more answers, we’re sending extra protection for your family, for Mr. Tigri’s, for Haven. We will get our man, Dr. Allende, I promiseyou.”
