The physician smiled approvingly. “That’s an excellent first step. No smoking or alcohol, obviously. One cup of coffee in the morning is fine if you need the caffeine. If you can do without, that would be better. Intimate relations are also okay. We can talk more about that as your pregnancy progresses. Since you’re thirty-four, we can forgo the tests I’d order if you were thirty-five or older. If you choose to have more children, your next pregnancy will be slightly different.” Dr. Lennon smiled brightly. “Do you have any questions?”
“None. Or maybe a thousand. It’s a lot to wrap my head around,” Scarlett admitted. “I’m very excited, though. I’ve really wanted a baby. My best friend is also pregnant. Almost three months along.”
“It will be fun for you to go through this together but remember—every pregnancy is different, Scarlett. Don’t compare too much but you can commiserate over things such as morning sickness and heartburn.”
“I’ll get heartburn? Keely hasn’t mentioned that.”
“Most pregnant women do. Have you experienced any nausea?”
She nodded. “It started this past week. That’s what led to me buying the test kit.”
“Well, now you know.” Dr. Lennon wheeled back to her iPad and tapped as she said, “I’m writing the prescription for your prenatal vitamins. They’ll do wonders for your hair and nails. Make an appointment for four weeks from now when you leave and tell Lydia that we’ll also do a sonogram during that visit. Your baby’s daddy is welcome to come and experience that with you.”
Scarlett let that comment slide. “Thanks for seeing me so quickly, Dr. Lennon. You’ve put my mind at ease. Do you think it’s a good idea to wait until the first trimester is behind me before I tell people?”
“That’s up to you. Right now, everything looks fine but I can understand wanting to keep your condition private until you’re farther along. You might want to wait for the sonogram and a more concrete due date. You can also find out your baby’s gender at that time if you’d like.”
Scarlett dressed and went to the checkout. Only Lydia was present. Over her shoulder, the waiting room was still deserted.
Her friend beamed. “Congratulations, Scarlett. You’ll make a fantastic mother.”
Excitement filled her. “I hope so. Since you already have two, I may pester you to no end for advice.”
“I’m happy to help anytime. Let’s get your next appointment scheduled.”
Scarlett left the office with a spring in her step. She’d quit her job and was ready to strike out on her own. She was pregnant and healthy and would receive love and support from her many family members and friends.
The only thing that would make everything better is if she could tell Wynn.
An emptiness filled her. She desperately wanted to share this special news with him. Having watched him with Kyle and Cadence, she knew he would be a tremendous father. She didn’t want him to feel trapped, though. Wynn would want to marry her out of a sense of obligation. She refused to settle for that. What she needed was his love. Somehow, some way, Scarlett also needed to win back his trust.
Considering the way they’d left things yesterday, she didn’t know if she’d ever hear from him. Maybe Keely would help her see things more clearly.
◆◆◆
Wynn drove to the DeLaurias, buoyed by the feelings he had after spending time with Del and Cady. The love between the Youngblood siblings had always been there, unspoken, but they now entered a new chapter in their lives as a family. One that he desperately wanted Scarlett to be included in.
An Audi pulled into their driveway just before him and he parked behind it. Jayla Jefferson got out and gave him a friendly wave.
“Dash told me you’d be at today’s meeting and that you’re interested in production. I’d be happy to answer questions for you at any time.”
“I appreciate that. I enjoy acting but a day may come when I want to move behind the camera. Or focus more on the business end.”
“Having your own production company is a great way to take control of your career and seek out the projects you truly have a passion for. If you’re interested in directing, though, the first thing you need to do is make a movie with Sydney,” Jayla recommended. “Watching and working with her would be a master class.”
As they entered the house, he said, “I hope I have that opportunity with the screenplay Cassie and Breck are writing.”
“Sydney is interested in it, based upon what Cassie’s shared so far. She won’t commit, though, until she’s read the entire thing. Come on, we meet in the dining room so everyone can spread out and have plenty of room.”
“Could I hit the restroom first?”
“Sure. It’s that way.” Her phone rang and Jayla answered it as he walked away.
Wynn did his business and headed toward the dining room. Before he rounded the corner, he heard Sydney say, “Did you have any idea Scarlett was leaving Lymon McGraw?”
He came to an abrupt halt.
Scarlett had left Lymon McGraw?
“She’s never brought it up before,” Rhett said. “She texted me less than an hour ago that she had a lot to share but I never would’ve thought leaving her firm and striking out on her own would be what she referred to.”
Guilt poured through Wynn. He was the reason Scarlett had resigned from the prestigious law firm. She must truly despise him if she left so that she wouldn’t have to see him when he came in for a client meeting. She’d done it for nothing, considering he’d given them notice that he would seek different legal representation.
His hopes for winning her back sank like a stone.
“I read the email aloud to Dash the minute he got home. We couldn’t believe it. I’m excited for her, though. Scarlett’s as sharp as they come. She’ll be very successful.”
