the death of me, someday,” Lori breathed out. She sighed as she shook her head. Lori reached under her desk and pulled out a stack of papers. She handed them over to Annabel. “Fill these in first and hand them back to me when you’re done.

  You can walk right in and see Doctor Foster when you’re done,” she explained.

  “Thank you,” Annabel chirped as she grabbed the paper.

  She chose a seat in the corner of the reception area and began filling in her particulars. Once she was done, she capped her pen and made her way to the reception desk.

  “All done,” she exclaimed as she placed the document on the desk.

  “Great,” Lori responded dryly. “Walk down the hall, take the first right. Doctor Foster’s o ce is the second door on the left,” she explained.

  “Thank you, Lori. I’m sorry I gave you a hard time, earlier. I don’t mean anything malicious by it. It’s just my first pregnancy, I have had a lot of failed attempts and I’m not getting any younger and I want to make sure absolutely nothing goes wrong. This baby means the absolute world to me. Doctor Foster has a reputation, you know? She is the best for absolutely miles around. I don’t want to screw anything up,” Annabel explained.

  Lori shot her a soft smile. “It’s fine. You’re a first-time mom and she’s the best. And she really is the best. I don’t blame you for wanting the best for you and your baby.”

  “Thank you for understanding,” Annabel nodded. “First right and second door to the left, you said?” she asked.

  “Yup, you can’t miss it,” Lori answered.

  “Thanks again, Lori,” Annabel said as she walked away.

  She followed Lori’s directions and made her way down the hall. Annabel stood in front of Doctor Foster’s door and placed two swift raps on her door.

  “Come in,” she heard a voice call from the other side of the door.

  She turned the knob and stepped through the door. Her face turned a deep shade of red as her eyes landed on the woman with the blonde ponytail and white doctors coat behind the desk. Her eyes were intense and dark brown. It was the same doctor who had gotten her the appointment she wanted with Doctor Foster.

  “Oh no,” Annabel groaned. “I’m so embarrassed. You’re Doctor Foster?” she asked.

  The woman chuckled softly. “I am indeed Doctor Foster.

  And don’t worry about it. Have a seat,” she gestured to the chair in front of her.

  Annabel felt the heat settling in her cheeks as the doctor spoke. “I’m Doctor Lillian Foster, the attending OB/GYN at the hospital. And you must be Ms Annabel Lacey,” she said.

  Doctor Foster gazed at her intensely as she spoke.

  “You can call me Anna,” Annabel replied.

  “Anna, okay,” Lillian repeated. The corner of her lips tugged into a smile.

  Damn, that smile and those eyes, Annabel thought. The knock on the door caused them to break their staring contest.

  “Come in,” Lillian called out.

  Lori poked her head through the door. “I’ve got Ms Lacey’s file for you, Doc,” she said as she waved a yellow folder in the air.

  “Thank you, Lori,” Lillian replied. She motioned her in and took the folder from her hands. “That will be all,” she said.

  “Do you want me to stay for the—" Lori began.

  “No, it’s okay. I’ve got it covered,” Lillian interjected.

  “Are you sure?” Lori asked, her eyebrows raised quizzically.

  “Yes, that’s all for now,” Lillian repeated.

  “Okay,” Lori sang, a small smirk on her face. “Whatever you say, Doc,” she saluted Doctor Foster and backed out of the o ce.

  “So, Anna,” Lillian began as she flipped through her folder. “It says here you decided to go with Intrauterine Insemination.”

  “Yes. It took me a few tries before the IUI procedure took, I honestly was beginning to think it would never work, especially at my age, but here I am,” Annabel shared.

  “Congratulations,” Lillian replied. “Let me walk you through what we’re going to do today. I want to make sure everything is okay and you’re in tip-top shape. We’re going to do two things today; first a quick scan and then I’m going to draw some blood from you for the blood tests,” she explained.

  “That sounds great. But, do you mind if we do the blood test first?” Annabel asked. “I’m terrified of needles.

  Absolutely loathe them,” she explained. “I know, I’m a grown woman—it’s silly,” Annabel said softly.

  “It’s not silly at all. We all have our fears,” Lillian shared.

  “Thank you, Doctor Foster,” Annabel replied.

  Lillian got out of her seat. “Can you roll your sleeve up for me, please?” she asked. Lillian walked past Annabel and she could hear her rustling through a drawer.

  “Sure,” Annabel breathed out timidly. Breathe, Anna. It’s just a tiny prick, she said to herself as she felt the doctor stand beside her and she looked for a second into those all-knowing deep brown eyes.

  “Close your eyes and turn your head away from me,”

  Lillian instructed softly. Annabel felt the doctor’s smooth skin brush against her own as she secured an elastic band around the top of her arm. She felt distracted from her usual

  blood test fear. Lillian tapped the skin on her forearm. “I’ll do this as fast as I can,” she said.

  “Okay,” Annabel whispered.

  “If it helps, I’ll count down so you know when it’s going to happen,” Lillian o ered.

  “Okay. Let’s try that,” Annabel agreed.

  Annabel focused intently on the sound of Lillian’s voice,

  “Five, four, three,” she felt a slight prick on her skin.

  “Hey, that wasn’t on the count of one,” Annabel whined.

  “You can open your eyes now. It’s all done,” Lillian chuckled.

  “What?” Annabel replied. That wasn’t as bad as I thought it would be, she thought to herself. Annabel opened her eyes and watched as the doctor moved methodically around the room. She placed a label on Annabel’s blood sample and put it aside.

  “Sorry,” Lillian said. “I find that it’s better to take people by surprise with these things,” she explained.

  “It’s alright,” Annabel replied. “I usually faint when these things happen,” she shared.

  Lillian’s dark eyes widened. “You should have led with that first. I’ll make a note of that in your file.”

  “You’ve got the magic touch it seems,” Annabel said sweetly. Lillian looked up at her and Annabel shot her a wink.

  She smiled as she watched Lillian’s face turn pink.

  “It suits you, Doctor,” Annabel said.

  “What does?” Lillian asked.

  “That shade of pink,” Annabel replied coolly. Annabel chuckled as she watched Lillian’s cheeks flush to an even deeper shade of pink.

  Lillian cleared her throat and motioned to the examination table behind her, “Uh, thank you. Let’s move on to the scan. Since this is a dating scan, I should mention that the ultrasound will be done vaginally,” she explained.

  “There’s a robe on the examination table. You can change behind that curtain and call me when you’re ready. If you just remove your skirt or roll it up and remove your underwear,” Lillian said looking awkwardly away.

  “I’m about to climb up on that table and spread my legs for you, Lillian. I don’t think a curtain is going to do much for my modesty,” Annabel chuckled.

  “Oh, um. Let me just,” Lillian stammered. She turned her back to Annabel and stared directly at the wall in front of her.Annabel let out a small laugh. “How chivalrous,” Annabel said.

  “I-Uh,” Lillian began.

  “I’m ready, I’m on the table,” Annabel announced.

  Lillian turned around and her dark eyes widened.

  Annabel was pleased with the look on the doctor’s face.

  Her complexion had turned crimson; she was as red as a beet. Annabel hadn’t lost her touch when it came to flirting.

  LILLIAN’S EYES trailed the exposed curves of Anna’s round hips and thighs as she placed her feet in the stirrups. Eyes on her face, Lillian thought. God, this woman is sexy as all hell and she knows it. It is usually me calling the shots. She is really throwing me. Lillian focused on preparing the equipment for Anna’s transvaginal ultrasound.

  “Have you done a transvaginal ultrasound before?”

  Lillian asked. She fixed her eyes on Anna’s. She noticed the rare pale blue of Anna’s eyes below the thick dark lashes.

  Keep it professional, Lillian reminded herself.

  “Yes, when I was younger. I had a cyst,” Anna shared.

  “Would you like me to walk you through it?” Lillian o ered.

  “No, it’s alright. I know the drill. Let’s get this show on the road,” Anna chirped.

  “Okay,” Lillian replied. She could feel Anna’s gaze on her as she checked the ultrasound machine.

  “Everything’s ready,” Lillian announced. She carefully placed her hand inside the latex glove. Lillian picked up the transducer. She grabbed her stool and sat in front of Anna between the stirrups Lillian stopped her actions when she heard Anna click her tongue.

  “I could get used to this,” Anna said.

  Lillian looked up. “What?”

  “Oh, you know, just the sight of a beautiful blonde woman in between my legs,” Anna answered coolly and smiled. Full red lips taunting Lillian.

  Lillian could feel the blush creep up her neck and her cheeks flushed. God, what is wrong with you, Lillian?

  Anna had a playful smile on her face.

  Anna winked. “I’d say I was joking, but I’m not.”

  She’s so forward. I don’t think I’ve blushed this much in a long time, I’m usually so cool with women. Lillian thought. She cleared her throat as she smeared lubricant on the internal vaginal probe. “I’m-uh, I’m not sure what to say to that,”

  Lillian answered honestly.

  “It’s a compliment,” Anna chuckled.

  “Well-uh, thank you,” Lillian stammered. Thank you? Is that seriously all you’ve got to say to that?

  “This might cause some minor discomfort as it goes in.

  The gel will feel cold,” Lillian said as she placed the probe in front of Anna’s entrance.

  “Do what you’ve got to do,” Anna replied.

  Lillian felt a tingle in the pit of her stomach as she said as she pushed the probe inside Anna. Lillian heard Anna’s gasp

  as it entered her.

  I could get used to that sound, she thought.

  5

  Annabel gasped at the feeling of the metallic vaginal probe; it was cold as it pushed in.

  “Everything okay, Anna?” Lillian asked.

  “Oh sure. I wish I could have a hot doctor inside me every day.”

  Lillian’s face grew redder with each line Annabel threw at her. “I never knew a person could turn so many shades of pink and red,” she teased.

  “Neither did I,” Lillian chuckled. “So, Anna. Tell me about this pregnancy. You went for IUI?” she asked.

  “Well, I’m single, I’m gay. There isn’t any way a pregnancy would happen the old fashioned way. But I want a baby so badly. I always have wanted to be a mom, really. But I’m kind of getting to that age where it is now or never. So IUI it was.” Annabel replied.

  “I see,” Lillian responded as she studied the screen.

  Annabel winced as Lillian moved the probe.

  “I’m sorry,” Lillian said instantaneously. “Since you mentioned the cysts earlier, I’m just having a look around to make sure everything is okay,” she explained.

  “It’s alright,” Annabel replied. “How’s it looking?”

  “Good, actually. Your reproductive system is in perfect shape,” Lillian said.

  “Ah, just the thing a single 36-year-old mother-to-be could hope to hear from her OB,” Annabel chuckled.

  “I think it’s a commendable thing you’re doing, by the way,” Lillian shared.

  “What is?” Annabel asked.

  “Having this baby alone,” she answered.

  “I did have a girlfriend. But in the end, we wanted di erent things. Being a mom is so important to me, it just isn’t something I could compromise on,” Annabel began.

  “And I’m not the type to sit around and wait for things to happen. I know what I want. I’ve no time to wait for the right person to come by. It was either do it alone or wait for my eggs to shrivel up and turn into dust,” she added. “Besides, I…” Annabel paused as the sound of her baby’s heartbeat filled the room.

  “Is that—?” Annabel asked.

  “That’s your baby’s heartbeat,” Annabel heard Lillian confirm.

  That little blob on the screen is my baby? Annabel thought to herself. She felt her eyes begin to sting. Annabel laughed softly as a tear rolled down her cheek. “I’m sorry,” she apologized and wiped the lone tear away. “I don’t even know what I’m looking at but I can’t help it,” she explained. “I’ve been waiting for this for such a long time and it honestly hasn’t felt so real until this moment,” she added.

  Lillian watched as Anna wiped the tears away from her eyes. “You don’t have to explain anything to me,” she replied softly. “I’ve done this job long enough to know what this moment means,” Lillian shared.

  She watched as Anna’s eyes sparkled at the monitor.

  Lillian has seen this look on countless women—the moment

  they hear their baby’s heartbeat for the first time, they are completely enamored.

  Lillian took a few pictures for the folder. “You’re approximately seven weeks into your pregnancy.” she said as she examined the image a little closer.

  Lillian shifted her gaze to Anna. She was silently staring at the screen. Anna turned her attention to Lillian. “Is my little blob okay?” she asked. Lillian saw a flash of concern on Anna’s face as she returned her gaze to the small fetus on the screen.

  “Your little blob is actually the size of a blueberry right now,” Lillian explained.

  “A blueberry?” she heard Anna whisper.

  “Yes, and you have nothing to worry about. Everything looks in order. The little blueberry has a strong heartbeat,”

  Lillian said. She watched as Anna’s posture changed; her body visibly relaxed upon hearing the good news.

  “All done,” Lillian announced as she pulled the probe out.

  She discarded the condom and her gloves in the trashcan next to her. “You can get dressed now,” she said. She put the transducer back into its holder.

  “Thank you,” Anna responded. Lillian noticed her eyes were transfixed on the screenshot of her unborn fetus.

  “There are tissues on the counter right next to you. You can use a few to clean up,” Lillian explained. She sat behind her desk and wrote down some notes in Anna’s file. She glanced up as Anna was slipping on her skirt over black lacy underwear. Lillian cleared her throat. “You can use the curtain for some privacy, if you want,” she o ered once more.

  Anna chuckled, “What? Are you not enjoying the view, Doc?”

  Oh God, what do I say to that? Think. Think. Think, she said to herself. “That isn’t it. You are a work of art, Anna. I’m just

  being my most professional self,” Lillian tried. Anna’s smirk morphed into a smile. Her rouged lips were perfect. Shit. That was a horrible line, Lillian thought to herself.

  “Wow, what a line, Doctor Foster. I could get used to being a work of art,” Anna said. “I’m impressed. After all that blushing, I didn’t think I’d ever get a response out of you.”

  “Well, uh-there you go. You got one,” Lillian replied. She cleared her throat for the umpteenth time that day and flipped through her schedule. “How about we schedule your next appointment?” she asked. Lillian’s eyes shifted to her phone as it buzzed. “I’m sorry, let me just make sure this isn’t an emergency,” she explained.

  “No need to apologize. I know you must be busy,” Anna replied.

  Unknown number calling, flashed across the screen. She declined the call. “Sorry about that,” Lillian said. “Where were we? Oh yes, your next appointment.”

  “I’ll make sure Lori schedules it and sends you a confirmation email,” Lillian replied. “See you soon, Ms Lacey,” she said.

  Anna got out of her seat and made her way to the door.

  “See you soon, Doctor Foster,” she replied. Lillian’s eyes followed Anna’s hips and ass as she sauntered out of her o ce.

  God, she has curves for days.

  “Doc?” the sound of Lori’s voice pulled her out of her thoughts.

  “You can come in, Lori,” Lillian called out.

  Lori poked her head through the crack in the door. She had a smirk on her face.

  “What? What’s with the look on your face?” Lillian asked.

  “Oh nothing. Did you have fun in here, Doc?” she countered.

  Lillian snorted. “Get your head out of the gutter, Lori. I’m a professional,” she added. Her phone rang. Unknown number calling. Lillian declined the call.

  “Mm hmm,” Lori hummed.

  “What?” Lillian rolled her eyes.

  “Nothing, nothing. I mean, I saw your eyes on her body.

  And I wasn’t even here for the whole thing. You practically shoved me out the door,” Lori recounted.

  “I did not,” Lillian sco ed. “I am more than capable of drawing blood and conducting an ultrasound on my own.

  This isn’t my first day on the job.”

  “True, but it is the first time you’ve dismissed me like that,” Lori chuckled. Lillian sighed. “So, what’s the dish?”

  Lori tried once more.

  “Nothing. I have enough on my hands with Jen as it is,”

  Lillian sighed.

  “Jen? I thought you settled that?” Lori asked.

  “I thought so too but apparently, dodging her calls isn’t a clear enough message. This morning I got a text from her.

  She said she had ‘outgrown’ her current place or something and that we should meet up for co ee soon because—guess what? She’s house hunting for an apartment, in my area,”

  Lillian shared.