Total pages in book: 31
Estimated words: 28852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 28852 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 144(@200wpm)___ 115(@250wpm)___ 96(@300wpm)
“Yes of course, but I want to let you know that I’ve taken real steps to re-gain your trust. I reported myself to the medical licensing board for knowingly injecting you with a placebo when we’d agreed that you would start Depo-Provera.”
Harlow gasps, her face going white. “You did?”
I nod slowly. “What I did wasn’t only wrong for you, but it was a huge breach of medical ethics, and I couldn’t allow myself to keep treating patients. I know I messed up.”
She gasps, visibly shaking
“So what’s going to happen now?”
I shrug, my expression stoic.
“I don’t know. They suspended my medical license, temporarily at least, until a hearing is held, so I can’t practice medicine. But to be honest, I don’t have high hopes. I wouldn’t be surprised if my license is yanked for good.”
Harlow gasps again.
“That bad?”
I shrug.
“I don’t know. But I want to make sure that I face the consequences because that’s what a real man does. We don’t stand down, even when the adversity was self-created. Instead, I want to acknowledge my faults, and I’m ready to pay the price.”
She nods, obviously shaken.
“Holy shit,” Harlow whispers. “I had no idea.”
I nod.
“Not only that, but you should know that I’ve been seeing a therapist for a while now.”
Her head jerks up as her eyes meet mine.
“You have? Since when?”
I choose my words carefully.
“I’ve been seeing a therapist for a couple years now because it helps me deal with the stress of my work. But since our incident, I’ve stepped it up. I’m going three times a week now, and Dr. Izzard’s helped me a lot. This is part of my aim to right things between us, and I want you to know that I’m serious about it. What I have with you is the most important thing in the world to me, and I’m willing to do whatever I need to to make this work. That is, if that’s what you want too.”
Harlow’s silent before swallowing audibly.
“I had no idea.”
I shake my head.
“I know this is a lot. But like I said, I haven’t been working so I’ve had a lot of time to think things through, and I don’t expect you to forgive me immediately. You’re a smart woman with a good head on your shoulders, and I understand that trust is built up over a lifetime. But I want you to know, Harlow, that I’m taking this seriously, and that I’m one hundred percent committed to you, us, and the baby, or whatever arrangement you feel the most comfortable with.”
The beautiful woman is quiet for a moment before lifting her eyes to mine.
“But what about the fact that I’m your stepdaughter?”
I look straight back at her.
“What about it?”
She bites her lip.
“Aren’t you a little embarrassed about that getting out? About what people are going to say?”
I shrug.
“No, not anymore. Maybe at first yeah, but to be honest, with a baby on the way, all of that bullshit doesn’t matter anymore. Dr. Izzard helped me see that. What matters is us, Harlow. You and me, and the family we’ve created.”
With those words, she begins to tear up and I take her hand. “Don’t cry, baby. Please. You know how it kills me.”
But she squeezes my hand gently while sniffling.
“No, I’m crying because I’m happy,” she murmurs. “Sam, this makes me so amazed and grateful and … I guess I’m just surprised that’s all. I knew you’d apologize but I had no idea you’d give up your medical license and start intensive therapy.”
With that, I pull the sweet girl into my arms and kiss her deeply, passionately, and with every ounce of love I have in my heart. The kiss is full of adoration and a vow of sorts— a vow to love Harlow, to regain her trust, and to make our life beautiful once more.
“I adore you,” I say in a hoarse, broken voice. “And I love our child, baby girl.”
Harlow simply holds me tighter, still sniffling.
“I love you too, Sam. We will figure it out, I promise.”
We stay like this for the next several minutes, letting the newfound peace sink into our bones because what I did was absolutely reprehensible. But fortunately, my woman is loving, caring, and sees a path forward for us. As a result, I’ve been granted a second chance at life, and I’m not wasting this opportunity because Harlow Bauer is the woman for me, and I’ll cherish this sweet girl until the day I die.
EPILOGUE
Harlow
Six months later.
I snuggle a little further beneath the soft blanket as I look down at the face of my perfect baby girl. She’s only a few hours old, but already she holds my heart in her tiny, precious hands. I stroke her itty-bitty nose gently, marveling at that soft, velvety baby skin. My daughter mews but continues to sleep.