Hated Ties (Book 3. Ties)

16. Easily Assumed

I'm sitting in one of the many waiting areas of the hospital. Other people are sitting around the room reading magazines or counting the tiles on the floor like I am. It might be possible that they're sleeping, but I don't care that much to analyze.

"Dad," I say as I look over to my left.

"Yes?" He looks up from his iPad.

His face turns into worry. "What's wrong?"

I purse my lips. "I don't know if... I think I'm pregnant." I clear my throat nervously.

He scowls. "Why do you only think and not know?"

That's seriously his first question? "There's pretty much no doubt in my mind. I just need a test to confirm." The panic sets in. "But I don't want to know. I don't want to be pregnant."

His eyes widen. "Why not," he exclaims. His outburst causes people to turn to us and give us the stank eye. It was pretty early in the morning.

"Why not," I ask incredulously. "I'm in law school! I'm working to learn more about your firm. Your health isn't getting better, so I have to be more available. I've only been back with Levi for three months! I don't even know if it's going anywhere."

He stares at me impatiently. "Mackenzie, you are just scared of the unknown. That's normal for first-time parents. School and business can be handled by having a good hold on time management. There are things you are not going to be able to do for me. I have been researching a nurse to hire. All I want from you is to be my daughter and spend time with me before I die."

Of course my eyes water at the mention of him dying. I don't know how he's so casual about it. He's not done speaking though. "Really you're not sure where things are going with you and Levi? Tell me, Mackenzie. Are you really not sure of him?"

I open my mouth but nothing comes out. "I don't want to talk about it anymore."

Now my dad looks annoyed. "It's clear that you brought this up because you felt the need to talk about it."

"Well I take it back."

A nurse comes into the waiting area and calls my dad over. He stands up and looks down on me. "For what it's worth, I'm happy to know I will be having a third grandchild."

I ignore his comment. "C'mon, the nurse is waiting." I grab the iPad out of his hands and put it into my purse.

He sighs but walks towards the nurse. I follow them into a private room. I sit in a chair in the corner while my dad sits on the examining bed. The nurse begins to ask him questions. I try to pay attention, but my phone dings once. It's a text.

I'm reminding Levi what my morning consists of. I'm surprised he's even awake, since he got out of work at 5 in the morning. After we finish messaging back and forth, he says he's going back to sleep.

The nurse finishes and says my dad's doctor will be with him shortly. My dad does not say anything while we are alone, and I'm thankful for that. We wait and eventually his doctor comes in. She comes in and greets us. My dad and his doctor go through their regular dialogue of questions and responses. I jump in my seat as my phone begins to ring.

The doctor looks at me. Let's say she doesn't look too happy. That's probably because there's a sign in the room that says to silence your phone. "I'm so sorry," I meekly apologize.

I step out of the room and answer the call. "Why are you calling me? And why are you awake," I exclaim.

"Because I wanted to talk," he says.