Porter was silent as the elevator descended.
“Thank you,” I said. “For staying outside the room. And making sure no one came in.”
He nodded and looked down at the ground.
“He’s going to be okay, Cole.”
He looked up at me and smiled. “I still prefer Porter.”
“James is going to be so surprised that I was able to trick you into telling me your first name.”
“I was trying to cheer you up.”
I shrugged my shoulders. “It still counts.”
He shook his head as the doors dinged open.
“What would you like to eat?” I asked as I stepped off the elevator.
“I’ve already had breakfast, Penny.” He leaned against a wall and folded his arms.
For some reason I had thought he’d be eating with me, not just watching me. But he had called me Penny instead of ma’am or Mrs. Hunter. That was a good start. “Are you sure?”
“Rob is over there,” Porter said and nodded toward a table in the center of the cafeteria.
I turned my head. I knew the doctor had told everyone the good news already, but I hadn’t seen Rob yet. I had requested to be alone with James while she told everyone. I just needed to be close to him. I always needed that.
Rob was sitting with Daphne. She had her hand on the side of his face and they were smiling at one another. Seeing Rob like this made me so happy. I liked Daphne. She seemed so grounded and that was exactly what Rob needed. I had never seen him look at anyone the way he was looking at her right now. He was in love. I would never ask him if he was, because I wouldn’t want him to freak out about it. But that’s what I was witnessing right now. Love.
I didn’t want to intrude on their moment. I had already monopolized his time in the past week and a half, begging him to stay with me and James. I hadn’t even thought about the fact that he was probably missing her. Actually, I hadn’t thought about anyone else at all. I touched my stomach. I needed to eat. When James woke up, I wanted to tell him that we were having a healthy baby. After breakfast I’d ask to have the ultrasound.
I turned toward the line of food.
“Penny!”
I turned around to see Rob running toward me. When he reached me, he immediately wrapped his arms around me and lifted me into the air. “He’s going to be okay!” He laughed as he spun me around in a circle. “Oh, shit.” He immediately set me back down on my feet. “You don’t think that hurt the baby?”
Not more than me not eating for the past week. “No. Of course not.” But I really had no idea what I could and couldn’t do while I was pregnant. I knew literally nothing about being a mother. And I suddenly felt completely unprepared.
“Hey,” Daphne said and gave me a hug. “Let me get you something to eat. You must be starving.”
I could have imagined it, but it seemed like she had glanced down at my stomach. I stared at Rob as Daphne walked away.
He looked guilty.
“Did you tell her?”
He shrugged. “I’m sorry. You can’t tell me something like that and expect me to keep it to myself. It’s exciting news. Everyone should know.”
“And everyone can know as soon as James does.”
Rob nodded and gave me a big smile. “I’m going to be an uncle.”
I laughed. “Yes. So who else did you tell?”
“Just Daphne, I swear. I have this thing where I don’t want to keep anything from her. Everything just kind of spills out.”
I smiled. “That’s good.” In a lot of ways Rob was like James. I was glad to know that they didn’t share the keeping secrets from their loved ones trait. Nothing good ever came from that.
“Yeah. But I’m sorry. I shouldn’t have said anything.”
“No, it’s okay. It’s sweet that you wanted to share the good news with her.”
“And she won’t tell anyone. She’s always just hanging out with me anyway.”
“Rob, that’s incredibly sweet.”
He shrugged. “Why does everyone seemed surprised when I do something sweet? I’m a sweet guy.” He winked at me.
“Because usually you’re acting inappropriate.”
“Me?” He pretended to look shocked. “What are you talking about, my new favorite MILF?”
“And there it is.” I rolled my eyes at him.
He laughed and pulled me in for another hug. “He’s really going to be okay?”
“The doctor said it was looking good. He’s waking up. It’s going to take a few days, but, he’s waking up.” I could feel myself getting teary eyed. He’s coming back to me.
Rob kissed my forehead and then released me from his hug.
“I have a favor to ask. At first I thought I should wait for James. But I haven’t been eating and I’m worried maybe… I don’t know if… I just want to make sure the baby is okay.”
“I’m sure it’s fine.”
“Right. Yeah, never mind. I was just being silly.”
“No, what were you going to ask me?”
“Would you maybe come with me for the ultrasound? I know it’s a strange thing to ask, I’m just kind of scared to do it by myself. And if something’s wrong I’m going to need…”
“Me?”
I smiled. “Yes.”
“Just tell me when and I’ll be there.”
“Okay. I was going to talk to the doctor after breakfast. If it’s too weird, you don’t have to come. I don’t want to make you…”
“I told you I’d always be there for you.” He lightly tapped the bottom of my chin. “I want to come see my nephew.”
“Why do you think it’s a boy?”
“I just want it to be a boy.”
“What would be so wrong with a little me running around?”
“One of you is quite enough, thank you.”
I scowled at him.
“See. You’re so dramatic.”
I lightly punched his arm.
“Here you go,” Daphne said and handed me a bagel. “I heard you’re a big fan of bagels.”
“I am. Seriously, this is perfect.” I took a huge bite.
“What were you two talking about?” Daphne seemed a little nervous.
“It’s okay,” I said. “Rob told me that you know about the baby.”
“Oh, thank God. I’m so sorry, Penny. He was acting all frantic a couple nights ago and he wouldn’t get off the phone and I made him tell me what was wrong. It wasn’t his fault.”
I smiled. “It’s okay. Really. I’m glad you know too. Now I just need James to wake up before he’s the last one to know.”
Daphne smiled. “I promise I won’t tell anyone. And I’m so excited for you. I can’t wait to have kids.” Her eyes suddenly grew wide. “You know, like way in the future.”