Page 7 of Meant to Be
Chapter Three
Sydney useda tissue to wipe sonogram gel off Alicia Shoner’s pregnant belly. “Not long now. Maybe even this weekend.”
“Really?” Alicia stared at Sydney with wide blue eyes. “I don’t think I’m ready.”
“No one is ever ready.” Sydney smiled, although she was concerned Alicia was less ready than most of her moms. At only nineteen, Alicia was nearing the end of an unplanned pregnancy. But she’d accepted her situation and, along with her boyfriend, JD, was doing her best to get ready.
“I’ve helped many women have babies. By the end, they say they’re ready, but it always takes them by surprise. I think it’s more that they’re ready to not be pregnant anymore.”
“No doubt.” Alicia took Sydney’s extended hand to help her up.
“Why don’t you sit over there and we’ll finish up a few things.”
Alicia waddled to the chair and sat.
“Have you seen your nurse and case worker from CTMCH?” The first thing Sydney did when she arrived in Charlotte Tavern was to familiarize herself with all the resources for families, as well as meet with their directors and many of their direct service workers so she could make appropriate referrals. Sending Alicia to Charlotte Tavern Maternal Child Health services was a no-brainer for Sydney. Although Alicia and her boyfriend were committed and had support from Alicia’s father and grandmother, they were young and uneducated. They’d need more than love to survive.
“Yeah. She helped me get a car seat and some really cute onsies for the baby.”
“What about school and work?”
“I just finished my first year at community college. I checked out those customer service places you told me about that let you work from home, and I have an interview with one next week. I’m worried, though, because they say you can’t have background noise. Don’t babies cry a lot?”
“I thought your dad or grandmother would help.” Sydney wished young people would consider the real-life ramifications of having a baby before having sex. Although, admittedly, she and Mitch hadn’t always been careful in college.
“JD and I are getting our own place. But it’s not far from Gram’s, so maybe she can help. I’ll talk to her. “
“Do it soon. You don’t have much time. Between now and when this little person shows up, get some rest, because there’ll be no more of it once you’re a mom.”
“I can’t believe it.” Alicia looked at her hands rubbing her belly.
“Believe it. I’ll have a nurse bring you some more things you might need and a few reminders about what to expect.”
“Thank you, Doctor Preston.”
Sydney left Alicia, handing orders to the nurse as she made her way to the front of the clinic. Checking her watch, she headed over to the hospital to check on Mrs. Warner.
“Oh, Doctor Preston, there you are.” Jenny and a petite woman with assessing eyes approached. “I want you to meet someone.”
Sydney had a sense ofdéjà vu, looking into the woman’s green eyes, but since she didn’t know anyone outside the hospital, she couldn’t place her.
“This is my friend Lexie Carmichael. This is our new OB/GYN, Doctor Preston.”
“How do you do?” Sydney extended her hand.
The woman took it but didn’t look happy about meeting her.
“Lexie is just entering her second trimester.” Jenny grinned, clearly excited for her friend.
“How wonderful. How are you feeling?”
“I’m holding down my food again.”
“Good. Well…”
“Lexie is Mitch’s sister. This is the doctor I told you about, Lex, the one that knew your brother in college.”
Sydney’s heart jumped. Now it made sense. Lexie had Mitch’s green eyes. They even glared at her with the same anger. There was no mistaking that Lexie knew exactly who Sydney was and what she’d done to Mitch. Apparently, she hadn’t said anything to Jenny, who beamed her usual affable smile.
