My hand flew to my stomach before I even opened my eyes.
A nurse's voice came from beside the bed. "Don't worry. The babies are fine. Tough little ones."
The breath I'd been holding rushed out of me. "Thank you," I whispered, my voice raw.
Then something occurred to me. "Is Dr. Pruitt here? At this hospital?"
"Dr. Pruitt?" The nurse smiled. "Frederick Pruitt?"
I nodded.
"He took time off. Word is his girlfriend's pregnant, and he went home to get things ready for the wedding." She let out a wistful sigh. "Years and years, nobody even knew he had a girlfriend. Then out of nowhere we hear she's pregnant and he's planning a wedding. Broke a lot of hearts around here, let me tell you."
I smiled and rested my hand against my belly.
"Make sure you take it easy after discharge," the nurse said, her tone turning serious. "Rest. No more accidents." She gave me a firm look, then turned and walked out.
I pushed the covers aside and got out of bed to handle the paperwork.
It had been days since I'd seen Mochi.
I decided to go pick him up. The divorce would be finalized soon anyway.
But when I got to the pet groomer's, they told me he'd already been collected.