Page 111 of Family Bonds- Gabriela & Luca

She worried over nothing.

“Must be pretty far along to know the sex.”

“Just past eighteen weeks,” she said. “They waited some to tell everyone.”

She filled him in on what had happened but now everything was good.

“That’s great. I’ll text Garrett tomorrow and say congrats.”

“You’re texting my brother?” she asked, sitting up straighter. “Since when?”

She had her hands on her hips. Why hadn’t her brother told her that?

“It was work related,” he said, tapping her on the nose. “I had to send a patient to him, then I was checking in.”

“Oh,” she said. She should have realized that. “I wasn’t thinking.”

“It’s fine. We aren’t trading your secrets or anything.”

“That’s a good thing. I’m scared of what Garrett might share.”

“I’m sure nothing horrible,” he said, pulling her close. “I’m happy for them. And you.” He kissed her on the forehead. “Did you think I wouldn’t be?”

She’d be honest over being funny. It was the right thing to do.

“I wasn’t sure. It’s not like I wouldn’t tell you, but I really didn’t know.”

“I’m always happy when people I know are having a child. It’s when the situation isn’t good, that’s when it’s hard. And even then, normally I’m not fazed.”

“But a teen pregnancy and in Taylor’s situation?”

“That’s hard to swallow. Even if I had a child of my own, I’d still feel the same way.”

She nodded. “I feel the same as you, but not really because I didn’t live your life.”

He gave her another squeeze. “Gabriela, I’m fine. I really am. Life goes on and I think I’m doing a great job of it...now. With your help.”

She rubbed her knuckles across her chest. “I am pretty handy to have around.”

He stood and picked her up in his arms, cradling her. “You are. Good at wearing me out to sleep hard.”

“Well, then, let me get to work!”

32

DELICATE SITUATION

“Taylor,” Luca said on Monday. He’d just left his patient’s room and was moving to another when he saw the teen walking down the hall behind Kate. “How are you?”

“Good,” Taylor said, putting her head down. “Getting my shots.”

Which Kristine must be doing. “Kate, come get me before Taylor leaves. I’d like to talk to her.”

Kate nodded, but Taylor looked unsure. “Is everything okay?”

“Yes,” he said. “I just want to check in with you.”

“Okay,” Taylor said.