Her Only Son (8 page)

Kinsey tried to remember how to breathe as she walked to the doctor’s office. She knew this day would come, but she didn’t expect it so quickly. Part of her wanted to make a run for it, but the sensible side knew she would be putting her family at risk. The photograph of her sister stuck with her as she took those final steps into the clinic. She would do what she had to do to keep her loved ones safe.

She checked in at the main reception desk and was immediately taken to a treatment room. Everything about the room intimidated her. The exam table loomed before her and the trays filled with medical equipment made her head spin. She placed her hands on the exam table and tried to steady herself. She took a few deep breaths.
You can do this, Kinsey.

She was still leaning on the table when the door opened and Dr. Westcott entered the room.

“Good morning, Kinsey.”

Her happy, bright attitude made Kinsey gringe, but she managed a light-hearted response. “Good morning, Dr. Westcott.”

The doctor walked to a cupboard and pulled out a paper robe. She handed it to Kinsey. “This is an exciting day. How are you feeling?”

Kinsey took the robe and placed it on the exam table. “Nervous.”

Dr. Westcott smiled. “That’s normal, but I assure you there’s nothing to be nervous about. We’ve performed this procedure many times and we’re very good at what we do. I’m going to take your temperature again and draw a small amount of blood. We want to double check your hormone levels.”

The doctor took Kinsey’s temperature and wrote it on her chart, then drew her blood.

“I’ll go let Dr. Rayner know you’re here. He’ll explain the procedure beforehand. Go ahead and get changed and we’ll be back in a moment to get started.”

“You don’t do the procedure?”

“No, Dr. Brice Rayner actually does the procedure, but I’ll be here to assist and offer you any comfort needed during the procedure.” She placed a hand on Kinsey’s arm. “Everything will be fine, I promise. Dr. Rayner is the best in his field.”

Kinsey nodded and reached for the stylish paper robe. Dr. Westcott wrote something in Kinsey’s file and left the room. She got undressed and wrapped the crinkly paper around her body. She placed her folded clothes on a chair in the corner and sat on the exam table. Her nerves were off the charts and she tried to calm herself down. Deep breaths were becoming her specialty and she took advantage of a few more while she waited for the door to open again.

Her eyes were closed when she heard the knock and she indicated she was ready without opening them. She heard someone enter the room, but she couldn’t will her eyes to open. She just wanted to disappear.

A deep male voice brought her back. “Hello, Kinsey.”

She opened her eyes, and for a moment, forgot where she was. The man standing in front of her was the most gorgeous man creature she’d ever seen and since she couldn’t find her voice, she simply smiled.

“My name is Dr. Rayner and I’ll be performing your procedure today.”

His words floated somewhere above her head and she tried to rein them in, but all she could focus on was the mass of flesh standing in front of her. His semi-curly dark blonde hair and athletic build was almost too much. She guessed he was in his thirties, but who knew for sure. She didn’t care.

His voice floated around her again. “Do you have any questions?”

She could only manage to shake her head, indicating no.

He smiled and turned to read through her chart. She was finally able to look away and tried to focus on the wall. Her eye caught the stool that sat on the floor and a horrible thought crossed her mind.
He’s going to be sitting there.

She looked back in his direction and admired the mass of curly locks. She looked back at the stool.
Oh, my god!
The thought of him sitting at a bird’s eye view made her face flush.
This is not going to be good.

He put the file down as Dr. Westcott entered the room with a small vile attached to a syringe looking object. She handed Dr. Rayner a piece of paper, which he immediately looked over.

Kinsey didn’t want to know what was inside the vile in Dr. Westcott’s hand. The thought of it made her nauseous. She turned away and focused on the wall again.

Dr. Rayner set the paper aside and casually leaned against the counter, facing Kinsey. His eyes were bright and caring.

Inside, Kinsey was dying.
You’ve got to be kidding me!
She tried to focus on his words.

“Before we get started, I’d like to explain the basics of the procedure. It’s a simple one and won’t take long.”

Won’t take long…focus, Kinsey.

“We perform intrauterine insemination here. That means we’ll be injecting washed sperm directly into your uterus.”

He pulled out a chart to give Kinsey a visual. He pointed to the cervix on the small poster. “We’ll be going through the cervix,” then ran his finger up into the uterus area, “directly into the uterus, where we’ll deposit the sperm.”

He set the poster aside. “After the procedure, you may experience a little cramping, but if the cramping becomes intense, please contact one of us immediately.” He studied her for a moment. “Any questions?”

Through the cervix, into the uterus. Oh, god, shoot me now.

She finally found her voice, even though it shook. “No…no questions.”

He smiled again and Kinsey felt her legs melt off the table. Not going to be good.

Dr. Rayner walked to the end of the exam table. “Go ahead and lay back and place your feet in the stirrups.”

When Kinsey hesitated, Dr. Westcott came and stood beside her, placing her hand on Kinsey’s arm. “It’s all right, Kinsey. Just try to relax.”

Kinsey slowly lowered herself onto the table and placed her feet in the stirrups. She looked down at the end of the table and saw Dr. Rayner’s face smiling up at her.
Dear God in heaven.

His voice was gentle as he spoke. “Go ahead and slide down to the end of the table and try to relax.”

That’s easy for you to say.
She did as she was asked and felt even more exposed. Dr. Westcott took her hand as Dr. Rayner took the syringe off the tray. He pushed the stool to the end of the table and Kinsey felt one of his hands on the inside of her thigh. She closed her eyes and tried not to think about what he was about to do.

“You’re going to feel a little pressure, but try to keep your muscles relaxed.”

As the procedure began, she felt herself tense, but took a deep breath and let it happen. She had to admit his approach was gentle, but she couldn’t get over the fact that he was literally in her vagina, shooting some unknown man’s sperm into her uterus. The thought made her nauseous again and she took another deep breath.
It’ll be over soon.

It only took a short amount of time and Dr. Rayner was removing the syringe. “Okay, all done.” He put the syringe on the tray. “That wasn’t too bad was it?”

Kinsey shook her head, her eyes still closed. “No, but I’m glad it’s over.”
You have no idea.

He chuckled, pulled off his gloves, and pushed away from the end of the table.

Dr. Westcott helped Kinsey remove her feet from the stirrups. “Don’t sit up yet.”

After Dr. Rayner washed his hands, he turned to Kinsey. “We’ll monitor you closely for the next couple weeks to make sure the procedure was a success.”

Kinsey cringed at the thought of having to do this again. “If it wasn’t?”

“We do the procedure three times. If it’s not successful by then, you’ll be released from the program and can return home.”

Kinsey didn’t know which was worse. Having this procedure be a success and have to carry some unknown man’s baby or having to have gorgeous doctor’s hand in her vagina again. She shuttered at the thought of both.

Dr. Rayner walked to the counter and grabbed one of his business cards. He handed it to her. “If you have any questions or concerns, contact me immediately.”

Kinsey looked down at the card and nodded. She glanced up when she saw his out-stretched hand appear by the card. She looked at his hand, knowing where it had just been, and reluctantly shook it.

He smiled again and Kinsey quietly sighed. “It was nice meeting you, Kinsey. I’ll be talking to you again soon.” He turned and walked out of the room.

Dr. Westcott walked to the computer and entered some information into Kinsey’s file, then turned to her. “Okay, you’re done for today. Go ahead and get dressed and I’ll chat with you for a bit before you leave.”

“Thank you.”

Kinsey got dressed and placed the used paper robe on the exam table. She picked up the business card Dr. Rayner had given her and studied it. She wondered what it was about this guy that was sending her emotions into a tizzy. She’d never had that kind of reaction to a guy before and it was messing with her. She closed her eyes and could see his face clearly. His soft, caring hazel eyes and tufts of curly hair still took her breath away.
My god, girl, get a grip.

The knock on the door brought her back and she looked over to see Dr. Westcott poke her head in.

“Are you dressed and ready to go?”

“Yes, I’m ready.”

Dr. Westcott entered the room and handed some papers to Kinsey. She motioned to the chair in the corner that Kinsey’s clothes had been on earlier. “Please, sit down.”

The doctor pulled the dreaded stool over and sat down in front of her. “So, are you feeling all right?”

“I think so, yes. I just can’t stop thinking about what could be taking place inside my body right now.”

“Well, that’s normal, but try to put it out of your head for now. The last thing we want is for you to be stressed out.”

Kinsey laughed. “Yeah, I’ll keep that in mind.”

“I know it’s easier said than done, but it’s going to be all right. We’ll take good care of you.”

Kinsey smiled. “I know you will. I’m not worried about that.”

“Good.” She pointed to the papers she gave Kinsey. “Everything you need to know about the procedure and possible after-effects are there. If you feel anything out of the ordinary, anything that doesn’t feel right to you, let us know right away.”

Kinsey lifted Dr. Rayner’s card. “Yes, I will, thank you.”

Dr. Westcott tilted her head. “Yeah, that’s not something I’ve ever seen him do.”

Kinsey looked confused. “Never seen him do what?”

“Personally give his card to a participant after a procedure. I usually handle all the after care questions. He only does the procedures and deliveries.”

Kinsey recalled the kindness in his eyes. “Hmmm…interesting. Why did he give it to me?”

Dr. Westcott shook her head and stood. “I honestly don’t know.” She walked over, opened the door slightly, and whispered, “Maybe he likes you.”

Kinsey felt her heart skip a beat. “Well, that’s awkward.”

Dr. Westcott laughed. “We are human after all.”

Yeah, no kidding.
Kinsey stood and walked to the door, thanking Dr. Westcott as she exited.

As she walked down the hallway that lead to the reception area, Dr. Rayner came out of a treatment room and she ran right into him. He reached out and grabbed her arm to steady her. She looked up at his face and almost passed out.
My god, you’re gorgeous.

“Kinsey, are you all right?”

“Yes, I’m sorry. I guess I wasn’t paying attention.”

“The fault is mine. I need to look both ways when leaving a room.” His smile killed her.

“No harm done.” She got her emotions in check and walked away, willing herself not to look back. It didn’t work. She took a quick glance behind her and there he was, watching her walk away with a smile on his face. She turned back around and quickly made her way to the front door.

As soon as Kinsey returned to the living quarters, she located Tessa, who was resting in her room. Tessa was all questions.

“So, how did it go? Are you all right?”

Kinsey collapsed on her couch. “It depends on what you mean by all right. Physically, I’m fine. Emotionally, I’m not so sure.”

“Well, the procedure can trigger some difficult emotions.”

“It’s not the procedure, Tessa.” She turned and looked Tessa in the eye. “Who the hell is that doctor?”

“Which one?”

“Dr. Brice Rayner.”

Tessa let out a loud laugh. “Oh, him! Yeah, he’s easy on the eyes isn’t he?”

“Damn! I thought I was going to die when he walked in. It was all I could do to not faint at his feet and then to find out he was doing the procedure. Holy shit, Tess, do you know where he had his fingers?”

Tessa couldn’t stop laughing. “Yeah, I’m well aware. Get used to it because he’ll be doing most of your checkups.”

“Well, at least I’ll have that to look forward to.”

Tessa playfully nudged her. “Hey, he’s a professional.”

“Like I care at this point.” She paused. “How much do you know about him?”

“I know he’s been the main doctor for Operation Vala since the program’s inception. Finished high school early and went right into medical school.”