An Engagement in Seattle - Debbie Macomber [67]
“Basically, I’ve been under a lot of stress lately,” Julia explained. “This afternoon the craziest thing happened. I fainted. Me! I can’t believe it.”
After taking her temperature and her blood pressure, Dr. Feldon’s nurse asked for a urine sample.
Minutes later, she was joined by Dr. Feldon. His hair was grayer than the last time she’d seen him and he was a little thicker around the waist.
“Julia, it’s good to see you, although I wish it were under different circumstances. Now tell me what the problem is.”
The tears came as a surprise and an acute embarrassment. “I…I’m just not myself lately. There’s been so much happening with the company and I’ve been so stressed, and today I fainted right in the middle of a marketing meeting. I gave my husband and my brother quite a scare.”
“Yes, I heard you got married. Congratulations.”
She smiled weakly in response.
Dr. Feldon reached for a tissue and pressed it into her hand. “How are you feeling now?”
She had to stop and think about it. “A little woozy.”
“And emotional?”
She nodded, paused, then blew her nose.
“I’d say this is all normal, my dear. Most pregnant women experience these symptoms.”
Twelve
“Pregnant?” Julia repeated in a shocked whisper. “You mean all this, the nausea and the fainting spell, is because I’m going to have a baby?”
“No, I think the stress you’ve talked about is complicating the symptoms.”
“But I don’t have morning sickness.”
“A good many women don’t. Some have what you might call afternoon sickness instead. My guess is that you’re one of those.”
“I should’ve realized.…” Julia began, wondering why she hadn’t recognized her condition herself.
“As you probably know I stopped delivering babies several years back. I can recommend an excellent obstetrician. I’ll have my receptionist make an appointment for you, if you’d like. Her name is Dr. Lois Brandt and my patients who’ve had babies delivered by her have been very pleased.”
“Yes, that would be fine.” Julia was both excited and surprised, although heaven knew she had no right to be. “How…far along do you think I am?”
Dr. Feldon chuckled. “My estimate is about two weeks.”
She nodded, knowing it couldn’t be much more than that, astonished, too, that her pregnancy could be detected so early.
“I’m going to prescribe prenatal vitamins and have you start watching your diet. According to those ridiculous charts the insurance companies put out, you’re about five pounds underweight. Don’t skip meals, and make an effort to eat from the major food groups every day. Plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables,” he emphasized.
Smiling, Julia nodded. Dr. Feldon made it sound as if she were pregnant with a rabbit instead of a baby.
She left the office a few minutes later, her step lighter. A baby. She was going to have a baby. Alek would—
Alek.
Her thoughts came to a skidding halt. This complicated everything tenfold. There was far more at stake now than before. There was far more involved. They’d introduced a tiny being into the equation.
Julia’s steps slowed. She wasn’t sure what to do or say to him, if anything. At least, not yet. He had a right to know, but Julia wasn’t convinced now was the time to tell him.
She returned to her condominium and let herself in. Two steps into the entry, she nearly stumbled over a large leather suitcase.
She heard movement in the master bedroom and walked down the hallway leading to it. Alek stood inside the walk-in closet, carefully removing his clothes from their hangers. Another large leather suitcase yawned open on top of the bed.
“Alek? What are you doing?”
He continued his work without looking at her. “It should be obvious.”
“You’re moving out,” she whispered and the truth hit her like a slap of icy rain. Alek was leaving.
“I knew you’d figure it out sooner or later.” He walked over to his suitcase and carefully folded his shirts and placed them inside.
“Where will you be living?”
“I don’t know yet. I don’t believe