“This might be something you want to share with”—again she looked at their audience—“someone else first.”
Melody dropped into a guest chair. “Holy smokes, I really am, aren’t I?”
Ellie nodded, and then gave the barest hint of a smile. “Yes. Officially.”
A baby. Goodness. She flattened her hand to her stomach, and to her utter surprise, burst into tears. Three concerned people instantly sprang to her sides, all talking at once.
“It’s going to be okay, Mel,” Roger promised.
“Don’t be afraid. You’ll be an amazing mom,” Ginny said.
“Give her some air,” Ellie ordered. “Roger, could you please get her some water? We keep chilled bottles in the little fridge under the counter in the office area.”
“I’m fine,” Melody said, even as he rushed away to fetch the water. She sniffed and swiped impatiently at her tears. “I’m sorry. I don’t know what came over me. I’m excited, and petrified, and…nervous. It’s complicated.”
“Get used to swift and powerful emotional reactions. You’re undergoing tremendous changes in hormone levels. Intensified feelings and mood swings come with the territory.”
Roger ran back in, crouched beside her chair, and handed her a water. Then he turned his somewhat alarmed eyes to Ellie. “This is normal?”
“You should back up, Roger,” Ginny interjected. “Mel told me Belinda punched her husband in the face when she was pregnant.”
“She was in labor, and having a really bad contraction,” Melody explained. “I’m not going to punch anyone.”
“Oh, God.” Roger paled. “Labor, contractions, birth…let’s not think about that right now.” He eased into the other chair.
Ginny grinned and cocked a brow at Melody. “I think your list of possible labor coaches just got shorter. I’m available, and I know how to dodge a punch…what?” she added when Roger shot her an exasperated look. “Just sayin’.”
“The role of labor coach actually is a matter I ought to discuss with someone else first.”
“Would you like to do that now?” Ellie asked. “I can manage the morning patient load if you want to take some personal time.”
Tempting, but she shook her head. “He’s at work. I’m seeing him tonight. That should give me enough time to figure out how I want to tell him he’s going to be a daddy.”
“Okay. I’m sure you’ll want to find a good obstetrician, and I can definitely give you some referrals, but we have a few minutes before the first patient of the day arrives, and there are some basic pregnancy dos and don’ts I should go over with you.”
Roger and Ginny stood. They obviously recognized a cue to leave when they heard one.
Roger came over and hugged her. “Congratulations, honey. Give Josh my congratulations, too.”
She returned the hug. “Will do.”
“Tell him he’s a lucky man.”
“I’m probably crazy, but I’m hoping he reaches the conclusion we’re both lucky.”
Roger smiled and headed out. Ginny gave her a hug as well and rose. “He’s crazy if he doesn’t. Just…” She hesitated, as if debating whether to finish the thought.
“Just what?”
“I know you’ve got your ‘simple and easy’ rule, and I know why, but keep in mind what Coach Connie used to tell us when we were on the cheer squad.”
“Stay flexible?”
“Exactly. Call me later.”
Chapter Nineteen
Josh stood at the counter of French’s Fine Jewelry and blinked at the mind-boggling selection of diamond rings. He shouldn’t have traded two hours of shift time—he should have taken the whole damn day. Who knew buying an engagement ring involved so many questions?