Free Faith by Michelle Larks Page B

nothing. I can live the rest of my life without little ones; it’s Monet I feel for. I don’t think she’ll ever give up her desire to have children. We’ve seen so many doctors over the years, and remember we went to Jerusalem to the Wailing Wall, and to Hot Springs Arkansas to bathe in the spas. We’ve had more ministers pray over us than terminally ill patients in a hospital. And at the end of the day, all the doctors could tell us was that there aren’t any medical issues with me or Nay-Nay that would stop us from having a baby,” Marcus reminisced.
    â€œI remember those times.” Wade nodded. “I’m surprised you two didn’t go the in vitro route.”
    â€œTrust me, we almost did. When Monet’s mother passed, she had an insurance policy, and the amount doubled due to her being in an accident. Monet wanted to use the money for in vitro. It took me months to talk her out of the idea.”
    Wade cleared his throat. “Well, me and Liz, and WJ and Genesse consider you two to be honorary grandparents to Samera.”
    â€œI know, and trust me, Monet has been spending money on Samera too,” Marcus said. The men shared a laugh, and then he said, “I guess we should get back to work.”
    Marcus was grateful that he had a friend that he could talk to about his most intimate issues, and it was a bonus that Monet and Liz were best friends. The men had worked together since they were rookies on the police squad, and had lived in the same apartment building before they bought their homes in Auburn.
    Wade was like the brother Marcus didn’t have, and Liz more than filled the void as a sister for Monet. They were godparents to all of Liz and Wade’s children; WJ (for Wade Junior), Shavon, and their youngest daughter, Erin. Liz was an only child, and Wade had one brother.
    When WJ and Genesse got married, Monet and Marcus contributed to the pair’s wedding costs, and were escorted to their seats along with the couple’s parents and grandparents.
    The department clerk walked over to Marcus and Wade. “This just came in.” She handed an assignment sheet to Marcus. “The chief wants you to get on it right away.”
    Marcus scanned the paper. “There was a murder on Seventy-first Street and Eggleston.” He told the clerk, “Tell the chief we’re on it. I guess I’ll call Monet later and see how her doctor visit went,” he said to Wade, as they stood up and prepared to leave. They placed their weapons in their shoulder holsters and left the room.
    Marcus’s thoughts strayed to Monet once again, and he hoped her visit with Dr. Washington had gone well. He didn’t have a clue that their lives were about to careen out of control again.

Chapter 8
    More time elapsed, and Monet was fidgeting in her chair, still waiting for Dr. Washington to return. She almost couldn’t believe there was even a remote possibility that she was pregnant. She shifted into denial mode and decided, until she heard otherwise, that she was just suffering after effects from the attack. Her heart rate accelerated when she thought about being raped. She pulled a book out of her bag and began to read it to pass the time.
    Dr. Washington walked into the room with a subdued look on her face and sat heavily down in the chair next to Monet.
    Monet swallowed a couple of times and thought, Dear Lord, she looks so serious, I hope I’m not dying . “Well?” She guffawed nervously. “What are the test results? You look so grim. I hope I’m not dying or anything.”
    â€œMonet, in all my years of practicing medicine, I’ve never encountered a situation like this. You are definitely pregnant, this is December and I’d say you’re about two months along,” Dr. Washington stated.
    At first, Monet sat in stunned silence. Then she smiled to herself and chortled with glee. She said softly, then louder and raised her