Accidentally Perfect (31 page)

“Meme?
  I don’t get it.”

“Meme, like let’s make memes.  You never said that to the girls?”

“Nope, I don’t think so.”

“Oh, oh well. I heard it from the some of the Hispanic help we had while growing
up.  So what were you thinking about when I walked in.”

I pour him a cup of coffee from the coffee carafe I brought with me into the living room this morning.  “I spoke to my uncle down south about financial backing when it comes time to make my move about the Foundation.  I still have no clue what I want to do.  I don’t just want to give
money; I want to do something.”

“Well, there is something that I wanted to talk to you about.  I’ve
spoken with a couple land developers this week,
and I have some good news.  Last week I spoke with my sister about an idea I had.  I think it’s something that you would be on board
with, and I think it’s something that you can head up.”

“Okay, what is it.”

“Nathan’s House.”

“Nathan’s House?
  I don’t get it.”

“I thought we could expand the foundation and use the neighboring land next to the main house and build smaller houses.  Kinda like our own little foster home community.  The land is capable of holding multiple houses because the zoning allows it.  At first I thought about one big house, but Natalie explained to me if I wanted the kids to feel normal then smaller may be better.  What do you think?”

“Holy crap Nathan, that’s perfect!” I put my cup down. “Oh my goodness!
  That is exactly what we should do!  If everything goes right
then,
I can expand it to Oklahoma and help the kids down south as well!” 

“Well, I hope that’s a possibility. I think if we establish a good thing here, then it will only take a matter of time before we can expand it throughout the country.”

“It sounds like a huge undertaking though.  How would we be able to handle it all?”

“Well, with my money, Natalie’s money and the Jacobs money there isn’t any reason why we can’t get started soon.  But you’re right, this is a
full-time
deal.  What Natalie does is just during this time of year.  What Nathan’s House requires
, will be a full-time commitment.”

“I see.”

“If this is something you want then Natalie,
and I will support you, but you have to make that commitment also.  Natalie already said she
will
do the fundraising all year round.  With the enormity of this project, she’s going to need to.  This may be like another child.  You are going to have to nurture it and support it.  Be there for it like you’re there for the girls.  Nursing may not fit into the picture right now.  I’m not saying that once it’s up and running that we couldn’t find someone to maintain it, but I don’t see anyone having the passion you’ll have to make sure this project is successful.”

“Yeah, I wouldn’t want to have someone else put in all their sweat in tears on something that’s my passion.  Geez, I don’t know though.  I love what I do.  I love my patients.  I love being at the hospital, making a difference.”

“You’ll still be making a difference though, love.  You will be responsible for the happiness of so many children who may not have it without you.  Plus, you can be like the resident nurse.  I’m sure with a few houses full of kids there are going to be plenty of runny noses, sore throats and skinned knees that you can fix.”

“Can I think about it?”

“Of course you can.  I have the developers on hold, once you decide then let me know.”

Nathan goes into the kitchen to make some breakfast.  If I know my girls as soon as they roll out of
bed,
they are going to want to eat.  This is
an
enormous opportunity for me to take on something so special.  I know the Foundation is important to Nathan and Natalie.  If their mother were still alive, I have a feeling it may already up and running.  This is
a huge
step.  I would need to make contact with the city’s children's services and see what I need to have to be able to get it started.  I’m sure Nathan’s legal team at Whitmore would be helping us out and getting everything in order.  Natalie’s fundraising ability is outstanding. I have no doubt that she would be able to bring money in.  I just have to make the decision to walk away from the hospital so I can focus one hundred percent on Nathan’s House.  “Hey baby, do you want to eat
now or wait until the girls are away.”

“I’m coming.” I go into the kitchen,
and the aroma hits me full force. 
Wowza, he used a lot of garlic and pepper.

“So what are your plans for today?” I take the plate he hands me and sit down at the bar.

“Well, I’m taking Addie to see if she can get her walking cast.  Brad’s going to meet me
there,
and he’s going to take the girls for the rest of the day.  I think he may keep them overnight since he has an open period tomorrow. In a few more
weeks, he won’t be able to have them so much because basketball pre-season will be starting.”

“Hmm, so I get an alone night with mommy?”

“Yes,” I laugh “A night without having to drown out the moaning with blasting music.”

“And being able to take our time, since
the fear of one of them walking in or knocking won’t be a problem.  I look forward to it.  I may not think of anything else all day.” 

“I would be offended if you did think of anything else other than me, naked, spread eagle, lusting for your cock.”

“Shit, Bear, I may need a preview now.”

“Too bad lover boy. That’s
not gonna happen.  The girls will be up
shortly, and I have to get going.”

“You’re killing me,
sweet girl.  What’s the plan after
Add’s appointment?
  Do you want to meet me for lunch?”

“Can’t lovey.
  Sorry.  After
that,
I’m going to head over to the hospital and check in.  Look in on my patients, see who is still surviving. Stella and I are supposed to eat lunch, and I have my yearly physical in the afternoon.”

“Do you want me to come with you for your appointment?”

“Um, no.
  I don’t need you in the room while my feet are up in the stirrups.  Besides, 
Stell
is my Nurse Practitioner.  I’m in good hands.”

“How on earth can you have your best friend looking in all your girly bits? There is no way I would allow Troy near my dick or balls.”

“Well, I guess it’s just the level of friendship.  I wouldn’t trust anyone else’s hands.”

“Not, even mine?”  He moves to me pulling me to him.

“Well, you will always be my exception.”

“That’s good to know.”

Adele’s appointment was a success.  Her bones are healing ahead of
schedule,
and everything looks like there isn’t any reason why we should think there would be issues in the future. 
Thank God!
   She walked out with a pink walking cast. I ordered a pink one, at her request.  She even had me call Natalie and book a day where they can get together and bedazzle it.  When we were
done,
Brad took the girls for a celebration lunch and then shopping at the toy department since they now need more tea sets and fake food to make Nathan a meal fit for a king.    

My patients are all still alive and kicking.  A few of them have gone back home since their blood counts were looking up.  Since I’ve been
gone,
I haven’t gotten any new patients.  That’s good.  I wouldn’t want to come in during the middle of a stay.  I like to have patients from admission to release.  Not all the nurses are like that, but I just happen to be one of the ones who like to start and finish something.  If by chance they come back, then I make sure they are under my care again.  It’s a relationship of trust that I like to have with them.

“You look good, Lane.  I can’t believe I haven’t
seen you in the past few weeks.”

“I know, I’m sorry.
  I feel awful.”

“Please, girl.  You are married now.  Of
course,
the friends fall to the back burner.  If my husband looked like
Nathan, I would file a missing persons report on myself because I would be out of commission that’s for sure.”

“My God S, it’s not like we are humping like rabbits and can’t make it out of the penthouse.  We have the girls.  It’s just been busy.”

“Ah, ‘The Penthouse.'
 
Must be nice.”

“I’m not gonna lie;
it’s fantastic.  The rooms that Natalie did for the
girls
are to die for.  They are in heaven.”

“Yeah, you can thank me again for pushing your ass into that one.”

“I will be forever indebted to you Stella. 
Seriously.”

We spend a good two hours going over everything that we’ve missed
in each other’s lives over the past few weeks.  To my
surprise,
she has been out on a few dates with Troy.  They seemed to hit it off when they were thrown together to get back home when Nathan and I had to hurry back to New York.  Troy must not talk to Nathan about his dating life because I’m sure he would have mentioned it to me.  I told her about meeting the infamous Diane and Joseph.  She was proud to hear that I have no fear when it comes to her and her past relationship with Nathan.  I am so much more of a woman than she is, and I have no doubts
about
Nathan’s feelings for me and the girls.  He reminds me every, single, night.  I spoke with her briefly about the possibility of leaving the hospital and taking on Nathan’s House.  Like a best friend does, she was one hundred percent supportive of whatever decision I make.

“Okay, get undressed so we can get this over with.  Honest, Lane, I don’t understand
. Why you don’t you have someone else do your paps?
  Do you know how uncomfortable this is for me?”  We are in the exam room after our lunch. 

“Seriously S, you have exactly what I have.  There are no surprises.  I trust you, besides, heaven forbid it happens, but if you were hospitalized with cancer wouldn’t you want me to take care of you?”

“You have a point.  I would only want you.”

“Well, I only want you looking at my hoo-ha
, so there.  We’re even.”

“Oh child, we are far from even.  Do you even realize how many times I have had your legs spread eagle in my face?  More than any friend should say, Lane.” 

Stella does my breast exam, just the professional she is. “Are you starting soon?  You’re wincing like your boobs are sore.”

“I don’t know, and why didn’t you ask me that when I came in any way
.  Isn’t that a typical
question?”

“Look, if you don’t like my bedside
manner you can always find someone else to feel you up and scrape your cervix.  I wouldn’t be offended. 
Alright, scoot down and put your heels up.”

“Hey, I was thinking about getting the Depo
shot.  I’m tired of forgetting my pills and having to double up.  One shot once a month is so much easier.  What do you think?” 

“Hold still, I’m inserting the speculum.  If you think the shot would be better,
then
do it.  It is easier than having to remember to take that little bastard
every day
.  We know your memory isn’t the best.”  I can feel that she stills. 

“Stell
, what’s wrong.  What do you
see?”

“Lane, when was your last period?”

“I don’t know.  But I should be starting any day now. Why?”

“I need you to get dressed and go leave a urine sample.”

She takes off her gloves and helps me up.  “Why do I need a urine
sample, Stella?”

“Come on Laney, you’re a nurse.  Why do you think?”

I think I might have blacked out for a second because the next thing I know is that I’m lying flat on my back when I was sitting up. Stella is fanning me with a pamphlet about what’s the first step to a healthy
pregnancy.  How ironic. “Are you serious?  You think I’m pregnant?”

“I don’t want to think, I want to know.  Come, go pee in the cup and bring it back to me.”

I find my legs and make my way to the bathroom.  My mind races with all the what
-
ifs.  What if it’s
true?
  What if Nathan didn’t want
children?
Did we talk about it yet?  Have we made plans
for expanding our family?
  Oh my God, can I be pregnant? 

I do the deed,
and I give Stella the cup.  “Go back into the exam room and I’ll be back shortly.”

I do the walk of shame, or what it feels like it.  How and the hell can I be so stupid.  So irresponsible to get knocked up when the ink on my marriage license is barely dry.  My mother is going to have a field day with this
screw-up
.  Two pregnancies and both were unplanned.  Not necessarily unwanted, but certainly weren’t in the cards on either occasion.  I watch the clock tick along while I wait for my best friend to deliver the news that may forever change my life.   The door
opens, and the look on her face tells me everything I need to know.