“Okay, I better get breakfast started.” He stood. “Will you eat eggs, or do I need to go on a jelly-donut run?”
Two hours later, Mia sat in the exam room with Doctor Drake, with Jarrett sitting just outside.
After the exam, the doctor pulled off her gloves. “You’re doing fine.”
“What does fine mean?” Mia asked as she sat up.
“You’re effaced fifty percent.”
“Oh, God. Am I going into labor?”
She shook her head. “You aren’t dilated yet. And you haven’t had any more contractions, right?”
“Not since last night.”
There was a knock on the door and a technician came in pushing a machine.
“I want to do an ultrasound as a precaution,” the doctor explained.
“So you are worried?” Mia asked.
“A little concerned. This baby coming early is a very real possibility.” She raised a calming hand. “You’re thirty-six weeks, Mia. All I want to do is check the baby’s weight.”
There was a knock on the door. “Yes?” the doctor called.
Jarrett poked his head in. “Is everything okay?”
The doctor glanced at Mia. “You want him in here?”
Mia looked at Jarrett and found herself nodding. “You can stay if you want,” she told him.
He looked surprised but walked right toward her as she lay back on the table. Although covered with a paper sheet, she realized that she’d be exposing her belly for Jarrett to see.
Dr. Drake nodded toward the opposite side of the exam table for Jarrett to stand, then she began to apply the clear gel on her stomach.
Mia sucked in a breath.
Jarrett took her hand. “You okay?”
She nodded. “The cream is cold.”
The doctor went to the machine and made some adjustments, then began to move the probe over her stomach.
Jarrett had no idea what he was doing here. Then he saw Mia’s fear, and knew he couldn’t leave her. He eyed the machine, watching the grainy picture, and then suddenly it came into focus. He saw a head first, then a small body.
“Well, I’ll be damned,” he murmured, seeing the incredible image. “That’s a baby.”
“What did you think it was?” the doctor chided.
Jarrett was embarrassed. “The way she’s craved jelly donuts, I wasn’t sure.”
The doctor laughed. “Since your weight’s okay, I’ll tell you to indulge, a little. After the baby comes, you’ll be on a stricter diet while you’re breast-feeding.” The doctor glanced at Mia, then back at the screen. “The baby’s in position. So that’s one less thing to worry about. This is a 3D machine so let’s get a better look at this little one.” The picture became a lot clearer and a tiny face appeared.
“Oh, my gosh,” Mia cried and gripped Jarrett’s hand tighter. “It’s crazy but he looks like Brad’s baby pictures.” Tears formed in her eyes and a sob came out. “I’m sorry.”
The doctor patted her arm. “It’s understandable. Are you ready to know the sex?”
Mia looked at Jarrett. He shrugged, trying to handle his own emotions. “I say it’s a boy.”
Mia gave a slight nod and the doctor scanned in for a closer look. He saw all the proof he needed. “Well, hello, BJ.”
Mia gave him a questioning look.
“I take it you’re naming this little guy after your brother,” he said. “Bradley Junior.”
During the ride home from Grand Junction, Mia had zoned out, not noticing much of the trip until Jarrett stopped in front of the apartment building.
“We’re home,” he said, but didn’t move to get out of the car. “Mia, are you all right?”
No! she wanted to scream. She hadn’t been okay since the day her brother had died. She looked at Jarrett, seeing his concern. “Seeing the baby today made it seem so real.” Her voice grew softer, more hoarse. “A boy. How can I raise a boy?” Tears filled her eyes, but she couldn’t cry any more. “A boy needs a father. Brad should be here.”
He reached across the console and took her hand. Even with the heater going, her hands were still cold. “Hey, this kid’s got the next best thing. You.”
She wasn’t the best. “You don’t know that. I’ve done things, made bad choices.”
“I can’t believe that, or your brother wouldn’t have chosen you to carry this baby.”
“But not to raise his son.” She sighed. “Besides, I’ve always had Brad to help me, to guide me in life. Now, I’m on my own. What if I make mistakes again?”
He frowned. “Everyone makes mistakes, Mia, but you can’t just give up.”
Jarrett had never been the optimistic type, but he was a good salesman. “Don’t forget, you have friends to help you. Is there any other family around?”
Mia shook her head. “No. There’s no one else.” She wiped her eyes. “God, I hate this. I never cry.”
“I hear it’s normal,” he consoled her, hating that he kept getting more and more involved in her life. Not to mention the lives of the other tenants, too.
Once he got off house arrest and they all found other places to live, this time would just be a fleeting memory. They wouldn’t be his problem then. They’d move on, and he’d move on. But could he? He thought back to being beside Mia and seeing her baby on the ultrasound.
Damn. He needed to get this apartment building in shape and get the hell out of here. “We’d better get inside and out of the cold so you can rest.”
She grumbled. “That’s all I’ve been doing.”
“From what Kira tells me you won’t get much sleep after the baby comes, so enjoy it now.” He started to climb out of the car when she stopped him with a soft touch on his arm.
She nodded in agreement. “Thank you,” she said softly. “Thank you for being there with me today.”
He caught her pretty blue eyes still glistening with tears and something tightened in his chest. Dear Lord. He was in big trouble.
BY the next week, Jarrett had accomplished several things. He’d finally gotten one of the elevators repaired and a plumber had replaced the rusted pipes in the community room. Somehow, he’d even been talked into helping put up some Christmas decorations. Joe convinced him that since this would be Mia’s baby’s first Christmas, they should celebrate it.
The major thing he’d wanted to do was keep his distance from Mia. He’d gotten too involved with the expectant mother.
Thanks to Nola, Jarrett knew how Mia was doing, whether he wanted to or not. By afternoon, he’d seen several women going into his neighbor’s apartment carrying presents for a baby shower.
Kira and Jenna stopped by his place afterward to see him and tell him all about the gifts Mia had gotten for the baby. His niece also had several things to say about the condition of his temporary home. None were good.
“Unca Jay, I like your other house better.”
“I