Free Whatever It Takes by C.M. Steele Page A

while he was looking for a shirt. Closing the door, I started heaving and hoped he wouldn’t hear. Not a chance in hell.
    The bathroom door flew open so quickly that I thought it would make a hole in the wall it hit.
    “I’m fine, William.”
    “You’re sick,” said Captain Obvious. Vomiting didn’t make me a nice person.
    “Yeah, I got that. It’s the reason we’re going to the doctor,” I replied snippily with my head still over the toilet.
    “Fuck, that’s a terrible side effect.” I rolled my eyes and took a deep breath. It wasn’t his fault I was moody. Well, if I was pregnant, then he was partly responsible for my shitty mood.
    “It’s not pretty. Give me a minute and I’ll be okay.”
    “Nope.” He walked around and wet a washcloth he had pulled out of the linen cabinet. Handing it to me, I took it then gave him a soft smile.
    Getting up, I washed my face in the sink. “I’m sorry that you don’t feel well,” he consoled.
    “It’s okay. I don’t mean to be grumpy.”
    “Sweets, if I were bent over puking my guts out like that, I’d be a little irritable, too.”
    He ran the shower, then said, “Call me if you need me. Okay? I love you, Ana.” William kissed my cheek before walking out the door to give me my privacy.
    By the time we hit the road to the doctor’s, I was in a much better mood. It was nice to feel normal again. “William, are you nervous?”
    “Of course. I hope that it’s just the baby. I don’t want you to get sick.”
    “I meant about raising a baby.”
    “Not as much as I should be. I acknowledge that I don’t know everything, but I’ve got you and my family to make sure I get it right. It’ll be alright, Ana.” He squeezed my hand then kissed it before putting it in his lap.
    “What would I do without you?”
    “I don’t know because I don’t plan on leaving you—ever.”
    We got to the doctor’s office, signed in, and took a seat. The nurse told us it wouldn’t be long but came up to us with a large cup. “Before you see the doctor, though, I need you to leave a urine sample.”
    “Damn, could you bring her any bigger of a cup?” William said with sincere outrage.
    “Sir, this is a glass of water. This is the cup,” she said rolling her eyes at him, pulling a small container out of her nurses’ uniform.
    “Oh,” William replied, embarrassed.
    “I’ll be right back,” I said, patting his knee before standing up.
    “The bathroom is down the hall and to the left.” The nurse pointed the way.
    “Thank you,” I told her, winking at William before I walked away.
    ~~~~~
    We’re going to have a baby.
    The doctor told us what to expect for the next few months, but I hadn’t expected the heartwarming feeling that I was going to be a mother that washed over me. It was like the confirmation was a blessing. We probably got pregnant on our wedding night.
    William waltzed out of the doctor’s office like he’d been crowned king. Seriously, the man couldn’t be happier. Of course, his overprotectiveness kicked in again. He helped me into the car like precious cargo.
    “At least the doctor approved of the horseback riding as long as we take it slow.”
    “Yes, baby, I know you’ve been anxious to get on your horse again,” he cajoled
    “I liked it a lot the last time. The first time, I was scared out of my mind,” I laughed.
    “I’d never let anything happen to you, sweetheart.”

Chapter 13
    Spring turned into summer and a few more memories popped into my head. It was always about the same woman. I had a feeling that she wasn’t just a figment of my imagination. She had to be more. Her name was similar to mine, Lana. One moment I thought she was a memory, but then my head and heart would play a trick on me, and I wasn’t so sure again.
    I had gone to take a shower because I was working in the yard even though William told me to take it easy. He wasn’t, of course. I knew he was working hard, getting sweaty. God, thinking of him covered