I'll Take a Chance (8 page)

“That sounds perfect. I’ll see you then, honey. I hope you have a good day.”

“You too,
I’ll see you in a few hours,” she says, and hangs up the phone.

“Dr. Peters this came
for you just a little while ago,” a nurse tells me and hands me a small box.

“I wasn’t expecting a
nything. I wonder who it’s from,” I tell her. I wonder if Amelia sent me something.

I open the small box and inside
there are flowers that are cut into pieces. The heads are all torn off and the stems are cut into small pieces. I dig in the box looking for a card, but there isn’t one. Who would have done such a thing and why are they being sent to me? This is completely strange.

“Do you know who delivered these?” I ask the nurse.

“No, I’m sorry I don’t. It was just a delivery man. He said he had a delivery for you. He handed me the box and left. Is there something wrong? Did you want me to try and find out who the delivery service was?” she asks.

“No, that’s alright. It’s not important.” I don’t give it another thought and throw the whole
box in the trash. As soon as I’m done checking in on my patients, I see Amelia standing at the nurses’ station. She brings an instant smile to my face. I walk up to her placing my hand around her waist and kiss her on the cheek.

“You have perfect timing. I just finished checking on my patients. Are you ready for lunch?”

“I’m ready,” she tells me with a smile.

“
Before we go, I think your stitches should be ready to come out. Let’s take a look at them.” I walk her down to the lounge and grab a few supplies that I’ll need to remove her stitches. We sit on one of the couches, and I remove the small bandage. It has healed nicely and with a few snips each of the six stitches removes easily.

“There, good as new,
” I tell her with a smile. I place a fresh small bandage on her palm and place a kiss on top of the bandage. I hold the door open for her, and we walk back to the nurse’s station.

“I’ll just be down in
the cafeteria if anyone needs me,” I tell the nurse.

I grab
Amelia’s hand and we walk down to the cafeteria.

“How has your day gone so far?” I ask her.

“I’m hanging in there. I think I’m going to give Willow a big fat raise when she comes back. How about you? Any of those mommas give birth yet this morning?”

“None yet, it shou
ldn’t be too much longer though,” I tell her and I love the twinkle in her eye. I bet she will make an amazing mother some day. If I have any say in it, she will be the mother of my children. I know that’s crazy to think so soon, but I’m just that sure.

Amelia gets a salad and I take a sandwich and grab us each a bottle of water. We
find a seat next to the windows.

“You know if you want I can take you into the nursery to visit the babies if you like.”

“You’re kidding, right? Oh my gosh, that would be so amazing,” she says with a huge smile.

“No, I’m not kidding. You’re more than welcome to.”

She squeals with delight, clapping her hands. She digs into her salad like it’s a race. I guess she really wants to see those babies. We finish our lunch, and I walk her to the nursery window. She stands there with her hands on the glass with watery eyes.

“You want to go in?” I ask her.

“Can I?” she replies.

“Sure, come on. You’ll need to scrub first and wear a gown
, but its fine. Normally there is paperwork to fill out and you need a TB test, but it will be fine just this one time,” I assure her.

She watches as I scrub and she does exactly what I do. The nurse helps her
put on a gown over her clothes and we go inside.

“Here
, try this one here. These are twins born two days ago. Sometimes it’s harder for parents of multiples to get all the cuddles in. These two should be going home in a day or two.” I point to the girl and I pick up the boy twin.

“Twins
they are so cute. I couldn’t imagine having two at once, how precious,” she says as she ever so gently scoops up the baby girl and brings her to her chest.

“
Oh, that new baby smell is better than the most expensive perfume money can buy. I think I could stay here for hours just holding babies,” she says as she every so lovingly rocks the baby girl patting her back as softly as she can.

Just then my pager goes off.
I check the code on the display, one of the moms must be ready to deliver.

“Amelia
, I have to go. I’m sorry. You can stay however long you want. I may be a little while though.” I place the baby boy back in his plastic crib.

“I really should be getting back to work. Thank you for letting me
hold her. Can you call me later when you’re not busy?”

“Sure, I’ll talk to you later today. OK?” I tell her and kiss her on the lips. I give her one last glance through the nursery window and
watch as she hugs the little baby girl then gently places her in her crib.

Amelia

Getting back to my office, I sit in my chair
, and for the first time I don’t feel overwhelmed by my work load. After holding the babies at the hospital, I am left with a calming peace in my mind, body and spirit. I may have to do that more often.

Kyle will still be on at the hospital all night. I still have a need to hold a baby. I pick up the phone and call Willow.

“Hey there sis-in-law, how are you and that adorable niece of mine doing today?” I ask her.

“We are both doing great. I may be close to murderin
g someone though. Between my mom and step-dad and Asher always hanging on me and the baby, I may strangle someone with my bare hands.”

“I’
m free tonight. What do you say I make us a mani/pedi appointment tonight?”

“That is the best offer I have had in days. You are on
, sister. What time were you thinking? Wait what about your hand?” she asks sounding a little more chipper.

“I should be done at the office around
five. How about if we grab a quick bite to eat, and I make appointments for seven?  My hand has healed nicely. Kyle took the stitches out earlier today. They’ll just have to be careful, and I won’t be able to soak that hand or have it massaged, but that’s OK.”

“Sounds perfect
. I’ll see you then around five-thirty?”

“I’ll see you then,
” I tell her and hang up the phone.

The rest of the work day breezes by. I got one call from Kyle telling me he delivered another two babies today. He said he is off work at noon
tomorrow and wanted to know if I wanted to go out on a date later that night. Of course I accepted. He’s making reservations at a steak house and he will pick me up at six.

I shut down my computer and grab a few files that I need to look at later at home tonight. I don’t have enough time to go home and change
, so I head straight to Asher’s house. I am not normally a paranoid person, but it seems to me that the car behind me has made every turn I have, and it’s making me extremely uncomfortable.

I pull into their long driveway and the car passes me continuing down the street. I guess I was just being paranoid. I get to the door
, and my brother opens it cradling Abbey in his arms. Now, a man holding a baby has to be the sweetest thing a girl could ever see. Asher, my brother, who I never thought would be the first of us to have a baby, holding Abbey, almost brings tears to my eyes.

Lucy their Yorkshire terrier jumps on my leg
, wagging her tail excited to see me. I bend down to pet her and glance back over my shoulder in time to see that same silver car driving back down the street heading in the opposite direction. Asher notices me looking and cranes his neck to see what I’m looking at.

“What’s the matter?” h
e asks.

“Nothing, I think I’m a little paranoid that’s all.”

“Why, what would make you say that?” he asks concerned.

“That car that just
drove down the street just now, I could have sworn it followed me all the way here. It kept going straight though when I turned in your driveway. Just now, I saw it drive down the street again, but it was headed in the opposite direction.”

“Maybe they’re
looking for a house and are lost,” he tells me.

“Maybe,
I’m sure that’s what it is. Is Willow about ready? We need to get going or we’ll be late for our appointments,” I say loudly into the house for her to hear.

“I’m here, I’m coming,
” Willow says as she shoves things in her purse.

“She has torn the entire
closet apart, trying on different outfits,” Asher says with a sigh.

“Nothing fits. That’s
why,” she says frustrated.

“Willow
, you just gave birth. Not even a week ago. Don’t be so hard on yourself. You’re beautiful,” I tell her and honestly, she does look amazing.

“R
ight? I tell her that every day,” Asher says.

“Both of you shut up. Amelia
, let’s go,” she gives Asher a dirty look then looks at herself one more time in the hall mirror with a disgusted look. “Ugh, forget it, let’s just go,” she says.

I give Asher a
, sorry to be in your shoes look, kiss Abbey on the forehead, and walk out the door. Willow kisses her as well then swats Asher on the butt wagging her finger at him.

“I’ll drive,
” I tell Willow.

“You can’t. Asher made me promise him we would let Simon take us. He’s st
ill so pushy and overprotective,” she says loudly looking at Asher as she follows behind me out the door.

“He just loves you,
that’s all. I’m not going to turn down a chauffeured evening though.” She loops her arm through mine, turns around and winks at Asher.

Simon opens our doors
, and we slide in their sleek black Town Car. First, we are off to a little bistro next to the spa for some dinner. Then it’s off to the spa for some pampering.

“So, how is mommy life treating you?”
I ask her as I put on my seat belt.

“It’s amazing. I can
’t believe I could fall in love with Abbey any more then I already do. Every day I see her sweet little face my heart explodes with new found joy. What about you? How is the handsome Dr. Peters?”

I instantly blush and look out the window.

“Oh my. No way. Are you kidding me? You didn’t? You and Kyle had sex didn’t you?” she says in an accusing tone.

I look Willow in the eyes and her face changes to a look of
, I knew it, I told you so. Kyle is the man to rock your world.

“Tell me everything. I want details
,” she begs.

“Willow
, I’m not telling you any details. Alright, maybe just a little. We didn’t actually have sex. We didn’t have enough time. He did however give me an orgasm,” I tell her quietly with the biggest grin on my face.

Willow shrieks
with delight and grabs my knee, shaking it so hard I’m afraid I might just fly right out the car door.

“I knew it. I knew there wasn’t anything wrong with you. It just took the right man, that’s all
,” she says in the ever so hated, I told you so tone.

“Oh my God, Willow shut up, Simon can hear you,” I yell whisper.

“Simon is not listening. He gave up listening to my rambles a long time ago, right Simon?”

“Yes
, Mrs. Wellington, I did indeed,” he answers looking in the rear view mirror. Just proving my point he is so totally listening.

Simon pulls the car up to the bistro and holds the door open for us
with a grin on his face. Great, that’s just great. As I step out I see that same silver car again. Now the first time I felt uncomfortable, and the second time I gave it the benefit of the doubt, but a third time. This all just can’t be a coincidence. We get seats outside on the patio and order our dinner. For some reason I can’t stop touching my neck. I just have this strange feeling.

“What’s wrong with your neck?” Willow asks.

“Have you ever just had that feeling that you are being watched or something? I don’t know, I just feel like, I don’t know. Strange, like someone is staring at me or something.”

“Sometimes you
do get that feeling, I don’t know how, but sometimes you just know someone is looking at you. You look over and sure enough someone is looking at you. It’s fascinating how you can sense someone is looking at you. Why, what’s got you all bugged out for?” Willow asks.

“I don’t know. I just have this strong
feeling someone is watching me,” I tell her as I scan the area.

Willow looks around us and shakes her head.

“I don’t see anyone looking at you. Do you have a zit on your face? Maybe you feel self conscious about something. I know. Maybe your subconscious thinks that everyone knows you finally had an orgasm by a man,” she whispers.

“Oh my God
, Willow, no one can tell that,” I say and kick her under the table.

Our food is delivered
, and as I start to eat my salad, the feeling starts to go away, but the thought does not. We pay for our meal, and Simon delivers us to the spa. Of course Asher called ahead and ordered us the deluxe package which includes a mani/pedi, an aromatherapy massage, and a customized facial. The spa stayed open late just for the two of us. If that man loved Willow anymore than he already does, I think the two of them would become one person. I couldn’t be happier for him though. The spa was amazing, we both leave relaxed and pampered beyond belief. We have shiny polish on our fingers and toes and a glow in our cheeks. Simon drives us back to Willow’s, I kiss her on the cheek and get in my car and head home. I still have a few more hours of work to do and I hope to still talk to Kyle tonight.

Kyle

It’s getting late
, but I better try to call Amelia before it gets any later. I sit in the on-call room and dial her number. She answers on the second ring and her voice is music to my ears once again.

“Hi, honey
, how was your evening?” I ask her.

“I had a wonderful evening. Willow and I were whisked away by
Asher’s driver to a little bistro for dinner then to the spa for some major pampering.”

“Sounds like yo
u had a well deserved night out,” I tell her.

“How are the twins? Were there any more births tonight?
” she asks excited.

“The twins are doing great
. They will go home in the morning, and there was one more birth tonight,” I inform her.

“Ouch,
” she shouts.

“Amelia, what’s wrong?” I ask with concern.

“Man that hurt. I walked right into the coffee table, and I totally ruined my pedicure. I was doing so well the past few days of not being a total klutz too.”

“I’ll k
iss it and make it better later,” I promise.

“Eww you’re not going to kiss my toe. That’s disgusting.”

“You want to make a bet?” I ask her as a challenge.

“You can’
t be serious,” she says.

“Honey, look I have to run. I just wanted to say goodnight. I can’t wait to see you tomorrow night for dinner.”

“I’ll see you tomorrow, Kyle. Have a good night,” she says in a sexy voice.

The rest of my shift goes by quickly. By the next morning I am ready to sleep in my own bed.
I wrap up all my cases and make my notes in all the charts for the next doctors on duty. Exhausted I drive back to my house. I can get a few hours of sleep in before I need to pick up Amelia for dinner.

I am fully rested and excited to spend time with Amelia tonight. I dab on some cologne and grab my keys. The drive to Amelia’s takes no time at all
, and I push the buzzer for her apartment. She buzzes me in and I think to myself I know she was expecting me, but she should ask who’s there before just buzzing me up. I’ll have to remember to mention it to her. That thought escapes my mind when she opens the door, and not only is she dressed in an amazing curve hugging black dress, but those shoes. She has on sexy as hell, fire engine red stilettos.

“Kyle?” s
he says.

“Hmm, oh sorry.
You look amazing, but I have to tell you that you have the most exquisite taste in shoes.”

“Thank you. Come on in
, I’m almost ready. Can I get you something to drink?” she asks.

“No, thank you,
” I tell her and shut the door behind me.

She disappears for only a few minutes and returns with her bag and a smile on her face.

“How was your shift at the hospital?” she asks.

“It wasn’t too bad. I’m glad I only have to do
a forty-eight hour shift once a month.”

I take her hand and kiss her on the cheek. We both walk out her door then
she locks it behind us. We walk to the garage hand in hand, and I can smell her familiar intoxicating vanilla scent. I open her car door for her, and before she can step in I squeeze her hand, she turns those beautiful blue eyes to me and my heart skips a beat.

“It’s good to see you
, Amelia,” I lean in and kiss her. She pulls slightly away and smiles.

“It’s good to see you too,
” she says then kisses me like she hasn’t seen me in a week. It leaves me breathless. How can a woman turn your world completely upside down in a matter of a few days?

She steps into the car and I close her door gently. Once in the car
, I grab her hand and hold it the entire way to the restaurant. I have always heard people say that love at first sight doesn’t exist, but I could argue the case well. Amelia and I have only gone out a few times. I can see the two of us together for the rest of my life.

We get to the restaurant and I valet the car.
We walk into the steak house, and my mouth instantly starts to water. There’s nothing better than a good steak. We are shown to our table, and I pull out the chair for Amelia.