Of Mountains and Men: A Why Choose Romance

Chapter 24

A week turns into a month in the blink of an eye and I'm at my doctor's office with James, Andrew and Michael. Nothing has changed as far as our relationship goes, I'm still keeping them at a distance. It's been nice having one or more around on the weekends, I haven't gotten approved for the loan yet. Which of course has me worried, Michael says it's normal, and of course he doesn't mind just paying for the upgrades.

As if I want to be in more debt to them, I already owe Andrew five thousand dollars, which I'll start making payments on in January. My soap company is doing fantastic, enough so that I think I'll be able to afford the roof without the loan next month.

"Charlotte dear come on back, bring your beaus, I'll watch the young man." Mrs. Smith says with a wink.

I give her a playful scowl, "Thank you, Mrs. Smith." I tell her, giving Charley a quick kiss on top of his head. He doesn't even notice us leave, too busy moving shapes along a rail. I love how fascinated he can get with the way physics work.

Dr. Mallory eyes each of the guys, "So, you all could be the potential father?"

"Yes, ma'am." Andrew says standing protectively close to me.

I hand my coat to James and slide off my boots before stepping onto the scale. It's gone up slightly but nothing too noticeable. Dr. Mallory gestures for me to get up on the exam table. She takes my blood pressure and asks me the usual questions.

"We're going to do a quick ultrasound today to make sure baby is still doing well, then I'll go ahead and do your blood work so we can get those tests in. Expect a week or so for the results, okay?"

"Alright." I say, the guys murmur their agreement. She wheels over the ultrasound machine, asking me to raise my shirt a little bit. The gel she squirts onto me is warm, I don't remember it being warm with Charley.

As she turns on the screen, I can't help the gasp at seeing my little baby wiggling about inside of me. "They baby has already grown so much since the last ultrasound." Michael comments.

I glance at all three of them, they are all happy and content to be here. I don't know how to respond so I don't, just focusing on our little baby. Too soon, I'm wiping up my stomach and my blood is being drawn. She swabs each of the guys' mouths before giving us a big smile.

"That's all I have for you today. Any questions?"

James clears his throat, "How long should she be on her feet? At work and whatnot."

I shoot him a look, Dr. Mallory just smiles bigger, "As long as there isn't any pain all normal activity is fine."

I swear I hear James huff, is he already trying to get me to quit working? I snatch my coat from him, "Thank you doctor. I'll see you soon."

I lead the way back out to the lobby, "Charley it's time for us to head home."

He starts to pout, until Michael cocks his head. "Okay we go home." I help him into his coat, but he wants to hold Michael's hand out to the car. One of the last trips Andrew drove his Escalade from Seattle so that way they didn't have to rent a car every time they are here. Andrew told me I can drive it too, but I honestly don't trust myself, what if I spilled something in it?

"I feel like we might need to invest in a bus." James chuckles to himself as he opens the front passenger door for me.

I pause to glance at him, "We don't always need to take the same vehicle."

"It would be nice to, what about for road trips?"

I slide into the front waiting till everyone is in before continuing. "You take road trips?"

"Of course," Andrew laughs, "That's part of why I bought this. We like to camping, the girls are a little more hesitant to go, but they come along as well."

"Camping?" Charley says.

"Yes, little man. We'll have to camp at home this summer to practice." Michael tells Charley.

"With my tent?" He asks. It surprises me every time they are around, how much Charley's speech improves compared to when it's just him and I.

"Yes, you could use your tent," James answers, "Or see our super awesome kids tent."

I turn around to see Charley's expression, he doesn't understand what was said but is excited anyways.

"What do you want to do with the rest of the day?" Andrew says, "we don't fly back out until this evening."

I bite my lip, "This the snow has begun to clear up, why don't we take a drive around the lake. It's fully paved, and a beautiful site."

"Sure, that sounds great." Andrew says, "I just need totop off the tank."