I think I might kick the crap out of Stuart twice now, just for good measure. He’s officially off my Christmas list.
He’s just introduced Jake to a smart, beautiful glamazon who knows her shit about women’s bits, probably men’s too, so therefore, she will be awesome at sex. And I’m about to turn into fat, dumpy Tru, who very soon won’t have a lot to offer in the sex department.
“I’m taking it from the urgency to see me today, you have some concern over the pregnancy,” Dr. Glamazon states rather than asks, cutting into my bitching thoughts.
“Yes.” Jake sits forward in his seat but keeps a tight hold of my hand. “It’s public knowledge of my use of drugs and that I was in rehab getting clean.” I feel him tense, so I rest my free hand on his knee. He gives me a quick glance and continues. “What isn’t public knowledge is that a little over seven weeks ago, I started using again.”
“Are you still using now?” she asks.
“No.” He shakes his head vehemently. “I used for two weeks, stopped, and I’ve been clean for the last five.”
“What drugs were you taking?”
“Cocaine.”
“I take it you’re worried you might still have had drugs in your system when you conceived?”
“Yes.” His grip on my hand tightens to near pain, but I don’t say anything. I’m as anxious as he is to hear what she has to say.
I’m watching Dr. Glamazon, trying to gauge her reaction to what Jake’s asking, but there’s not a shred of emotion in her face.
Poker face. I bet she’s had Botox done.
She leans back in her chair, elbows on the rests, fingers steepled.
“I understand your concern, Jake, but honestly, there is nothing for you to worry about. There’s been a lot of research done about the possible side effects on sperm from recreational drug usage, and to date there is nothing to prove that drugs cause any long-term side effects on a developing fetus.”
I feel Jake relax beside me. And me too. It’s such a relief to hear.
“The only known side effects are significant reductions in sperm count,” Dr. Glamazon continues, “sometimes resulting in infertility—which obviously hasn’t been a problem for you.” She gives him a hinting smile, which raises my hackles.
I know she’s a doctor, but she seriously shouldn’t talk about my man’s virility like that.
I clear my throat and raise my eyebrow at her.
She breezes a look to me, composing herself, and says to Jake, “Most commonly, the issue we see from drug usage and a developing fetus comes directly from the mother. If a woman uses drugs when pregnant, the drugs will pass through the placenta and directly to the baby. That’s when we have issues such as deformities and long-term health problems.”
Ooh, you bitch.
I’m seriously getting a new baby doctor.
“I have never touched drugs in my life,” I state, probably a little too loudly. I dig my nails so hard into Jake’s hand, I hear him wince. “I don’t even smoke cigarettes, let alone joints!”
“That’s really good to hear, Tru.” She smiles pleasantly.
Now I just want to slap her. Hard. A few times.
God, what the hell is wrong with me? Is this what pregnancy does? Or have I always been this jealous?
I guess I’m just jealous when it comes to Jake.
He runs the pad of his thumb across the palm of my hand.
I know he’s trying to settle me, but I’m a riled right now and in no mood to be settled.
“I was still on the pill when I got pregnant,” I blurt out.
Crap, how did I forget that? Actually, how the hell did I manage to get pregnant while on the pill? It’s never failed me in all the years I’ve been taking it.
“You were taking the pill when you got pregnant?” Dr. Glamazon asks, her perfectly shaped brow raised.
Does she think I’m lying or something? Or that I’ve trapped Jake by getting pregnant on purpose?
Does he think the same?
I sneak a quick glance at him, but his face is impassive as he looks at Dr. Glamazon.
I wish I knew what he was thinking right now.
“Yes, I’ve been on the pill for a really long time, and it’s never let me down before—obviously,” I mutter, not helping my case at all.
I start to chew on my free thumbnail, killing all hope for my nail varnish.
“Have you missed taking any pills this month?” Dr. Glamazon asks.
“No.” My face is bright red, like I’m guilty of something. I hate it when that happens. “I never forget. I’ve always been methodical about taking it.”
“Have you taken any other medication lately?”
“Yes she has,” Jake answers. He removes my hand from my mouth, stopping me from biting my nails. “Tru was sick while we were on holiday. She had food poisoning, and the doctor prescribed her some medication.”
“Did he advise if there would be any interference with contraception from taking the medication?” she asks.
“No,” Jake answers again before I get the chance to. “Tru was too sick to be asking or answering any questions at that time, so it was on me, and honestly it wasn’t something I even considered asking the doctor. The fault lies with me on that one.”
I feel him talking to me in that last sentence.
“There’s no fault,” I whisper to him. “I’m happy to be having our baby.”