“No,” I wrinkle my nose, thinking about how bad the pills made me feel. “I really haven’t needed anything, even Tylenol, in days.”

“And the only medication you’re currently taking is birth control pills?”

“Yes,” I say automatically before I freeze. My breath wheezes from my lungs, and I feel dizzy with shock. “No! Oh, dear Lord, I haven’t taken them since…” I’m in complete panic mode now, unable to believe that something I’ve done for so long has completely slipped my mind for not just days, but weeks.

“Lia.” She pats my knee reassuringly. “It’s perfectly understandable that you would forget that with everything that has happened. Have you had sexual relations since you left the hospital?”

I squeeze my eyes shut, unable to believe this is happening. “Yes, daily…for four or five days,” I admit haltingly. Sometimes more than once a day, but I don’t add that part. Why, oh why couldn’t we have waited to have sex until I had seen the doctor?

She still looks calm, even in the face of my obvious distress. “Do you know where you are in your cycle?”

“I have no idea,” I say, wracking my brain. “I don’t have a period very often since I went on the birth control pills, so I haven’t been keeping up with it. I’ve never had a reason to.” She probably assumes I said that because I’ve always been careful when in reality, other than once, I never had sex before I met Lucian. “I’ll take one as soon as I get home.”

“No, don’t start them again yet. It’s probably fine, Lia, and I don’t want to scare you, but on the outside chance that you’ve conceived, you don’t need to take them until we know for sure. I…there is another option if you are interested. There is a prescription for a morning-after pill called Ella, which is actually effective up to five days after intercourse. This is completely up to you, Lia.”

I feel a wave of relief roll through me at her words. But before I can say yes, I’m filled with uncertainty. I know it’s my body, but isn’t this something I should discuss with Lucian? I can’t hide something like this from him, can I? “Do…I mean…is there time to talk to Luc first?” A part of me can’t believe I’m even asking her this. There is no choice to be made here is there? Lucian and I aren’t ready to be parents. I have a stepfather who tried to rape me somewhere out in the world and Lucian is mired in a past which still haunts him. What decision is to be made here? Shit, I still can’t do this without him knowing. I’ll tell him and then we’ll both just be relieved that we found out in time.

“I think it’s a very good idea to speak with your partner…or Luc, in this case. Just call my office tomorrow morning after you’ve talked it over and let me know what you decide. You’d need to take the pill at some point tomorrow, though, to ensure its effectiveness.”

We talk for a few more minutes before she ushers me to the door. Lucian is standing against the opposite wall, thumbing through his smartphone. For a moment, I’m afraid he overheard our conversation, but the easy smile on his face says differently. “Okay, baby?” he asks as he walks over to look at my newly uncovered nose.

Dr. Kay clucks her tongue at him. “Just couldn’t go to the waiting room as you were told, could you?”

He gives her his best innocent look. “I was staying close in case Lia needed me.” He gives me a wink, and we both know it’s because he wanted to avoid another possible run-in with Laurie. We say goodbye to the doctor and he peels off some bills to pay for the visit despite my protests. I make another appointment to have my cast removed and a follow-up CT scan. Lucian guides me through the Laurie-free waiting room and to the car idling at the curb. We say a few words to Sam before settling onto the leather seats. He picks up my hand, kissing my fingers before asking, “Did you like Dr. Kay?”

“She’s wonderful,” I murmur, still reeling from the conversation she and I had had. Should I tell him now? No, if I do, he more than likely won’t go to the office and he needs this today. He already seems more relaxed than he has in days. We’ll talk tonight when he comes home. I’ll make him dinner and wear something other than my usual home attire of yoga pants. “She sure knows how to handle you,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood. I want his happy mood to continue, and he’s far too perceptive where I’m concerned.

My mouth drops open as he reaches down to palm his cock through the pants he’s wearing. “Well, she’s seen this many times through the years. It didn’t start out this big, you know.” I don’t know who’s choking on laughter more, Sam or me. The other man might not be able to see where Lucian’s hand is, but I’m certain by the way his shoulders are shaking that Sam knows what Lucian’s referring to.

“So, she’s holding that secret over your head?” I manage to choke out. He gives me a naughty look at my use of the word ‘head’ and I smack his leg. “Stop, Luc, or I’ll never be able to look the woman in the eyes again.” He removes his hand from his crotch, still teasing me playfully.

When we reach his office, he asks me if I want to come in. Even though I’m tempted, I decide to go back to the apartment to regroup. I also need to check my online grades from my final exams and make sure I have the classes I need before my last semester begins. In other words, I need to do normal things today to try to find my routine again and so does he. “Call me when you get home, baby,” he says. When I just nod, he adds sternly, “I mean it, Lia. I’m not trying to smother you, but at least for a while, I need to know that you’re okay.”

I cup his face in my hand, stroking his smooth, shaven cheek. “I know, Luc, and I promise I will.” He kisses my lips briefly and starts to exit the car before coming back and kissing me more leisurely. We are both breathing heavily when he finally pulls away. “Something to remember me by today,” he whispers as he steps out and shuts the door behind him. The ache between my legs after his expert kisses assures me that I will indeed think of him all day.

Lucian

Cindy looks up from her desk in surprise when I stride off the elevator in front of her. “Luc! I wasn’t expecting you in today. How’s Lia doing?” She looks around behind me, as if expecting her to be there. If I had my way, she would be chained to my side right now and not going back home alone.