Chapter Nine
Over the next few weeks we fall into a calm rhythm. We wake up and Dimitri gets Lennon ready and I make breakfast, then we head out to the ranch most days. Lennon helps Dimitri do "cowboy" stuff as she puts it while I help Lillah in the kitchen. Once she realized I wasn't playing Dimitri in some way she was very pleasant. She's been trying to teach me to far it's only been semi successful. On the bright side I've only set fire to the kitchen once. At night we put Lennon to bed together. Once she's asleep we usually end up on the deck with a fire and a bottle of wine or a few beers, getting to know each other again. It's been incredible and I've only fallen more in love, which I didn't know was possible. On Tuesdays and Thursdays Lillah works at the local clinic,so I stay home and do my classes and get in some work with Abe. Today however I finally get to get my IUD placed. I was supposed to have it done like a month ago but the Dr. had a family emergency and never made it to the clinic, I'm just hoping that I can get it done without any issues.
"I'll see you in a little bit, drive safe." Dimitri kisses me softly before jumping out of the truck and heading toward the barn with Lennon. The clinic is pretty much right in the middle of town, it's located in an old church building. Which I think has a hilarious irony to it. Now I used to hate going to any lady appointments but after having a baby I don't think I could care any less. When I get there Lillah has already checked me in so I get to bypass the regular process and go straight back to the room. A nurse hands me a cup and explains they need a urine test before they can put in the birth control. She points me to the bathroom and I oblige, hating every moment. Peeing in a cup is the absolute worst, like I would rather fight off a Strigio… that might be an exaggeration but I hate it. I leave the sample in the little cubby and go back to the room, I strip from the waist down and sit with the sheet giving me a small piece of privacy. It takes forever for the Dr. to get in after about an hour the door finally opens. She's short with an a-line shoulder cut, her blonde hair bouncing in loose curls, her deep jade eyes remind me of Lissa which makes my heart ache just a bit. I miss her.
"Rose Hathaway?" Her voice is sweet and has the signature western twang everyone around here has.
"That's me."
"Nice to meet you Rose, I'm Dr. Shannon. I see you came in for an IUD today?" She looks down at her notes.
"Yep, that's the plan." I pop the p on yep, can we please just get this over with I've heard it's not super fun and I just want it done.
"Are you currently sexually active?" Why is she asking all these questions just to give me birth control?
"Yes, I live with my boyfriend and daughter." boyfriend doesn't quite seem right does it? He seems like so much more, boyfriend honestly just feels a little juvenile.
Her eyes meet mine as she nodds "Unfortunately we won't be able to place the IUD today."
Of course not."Why not?" I groan slightly annoyed.
"According to the urine test you're pregnant."
Time stops.. Completely. The room spins and I'm sure I look like an idiot with my mouth hanging open my voice is dry "Are.. are you sure?"
She looks almost sorry for me. "Our tests are very accurate, but I want to do an ultrasound to check how far along you are. Is that okay?" her voice is soft and comforting.
"Okay." I mumble leaning back as she turns one the machine in the corner and pulls out the ultrasound wand. I try to calm myself down, it's okay this isn't like with Lennon. Dimitri is here. I'm not alone this time. Dimitri.. What if he's mad? We are just getting to feel comfortable with our relationship . What if he doesn't want this baby? My thoughts are interrupted by a quiet thump lub.
"That's your baby." she points to a little jelly bean shape on the screen. "The heartbeat is perfect, based on the measurements I would say you're about 8 weeks along. Does that sound right?"
8 weeks ago, it happened the night Dimitri showed up on my front porch. My voice is so small "I guess so."
She moves the wand inside me a little more before pulling it out. "Would you like some pictures?"
I nod still trying to catch up to the last few minutes "There's really a baby in there?"
She sighs, taking a seat and rolling the stool closer to me " Miss Hathaway? Are you okay?"
"Yeah, it's just this is.. We aren't... It's a big surprise." I stumble around trying to find the words.
"You do have options you know."
Her words are like cold water on my face. " No, I just need a minute to process everything. I'll be okay."
She smiles "Take as much time as you need to get dressed then make another appointment with Lillah up front." She gets up and leaves.
Shit Lillah, I'm going to have to talk to her to schedual. I slowly get dressed and sit back on the bed with my hands resting on my lower abdomen. " Well little one this is going to be an adventure." I whisper.
After a few moments I get the courage to go to the front desk where Lillah sits. "Hey honey can I set up a follow up appointment for that IUD?"
I breathe deep and look away "No, but." I pull at the sleeve of my jacket " I need a prenatal appointment for next month."
I'm not sure how she hears me but I know she does because she looks at me with barrel eyes. "Oh honey, are you okay?"
"I will be, just please don't tell Dimitri. I need to figure out how to tell him. This is a surprise you know."
"I won't say a word. Now let's set up that appointment."
I drive back in silence, still trying to process the last few minutes. By the time I make it back to the ranch I'm starting to feel excited. The sun is setting and the pens and fields that are usually still bright with life at this time are empty. Where is everyone? I jump out of the truck, and head toward the barn. The smell of fresh cut alfalfa penetrates the air, a warm breeze flows through the trees. I can hear the crickets softly playing in the background. The summer night is perfect. I open the door of the barn pulling hard. Soft music plays in the corner, Lennon is dressed in her favorite dress standing proudly by Jake who whispers something in her ear making her laugh. Dimitri walks up to me Dressed in his dress shoes, a suit jacket, and a black shirt.
"What's going on? "My voice is trembling in awe under Dimitris' stunning smile. Big bulb lights spark above us lighting the entire barn.
A realization dawns on me the same moment he drops to one knee. "Roza, I have never been as happy as I have been these last couple months. I was lucky enough to find you a second time and I don't want to lose you again. I want to spend every night with you beside me and face the morning with you by my side. Will you marry me?"
I stare at him blankly. Could anything else fit into this day. A few more seconds pass before I realize I haven't answered and Dimitris' face has fallen. "Yes, of course yes!" his smile reappears as he slips on the ring. It's a thin gold band with an oval morganite stone centered between two diamonds. He wraps me in his arms pressing his lips to mine. I kiss him back trying to think about how I am going to tell him about the little bun in the oven
(Wheh what a chapter! What do you guys think? Another baby on the way, a wedding on the horizon . How do you think Dimtri will react when he finds out Rose is pregnant?)