Erica began typing on her keyboard,"His first appointments should be here."
Carlie stood up and excused herself.
It was going to be a busy morning she knew. She knocked on Dr. Avery's door. "Dr. Avery do you have a minute?"
He turned to face her,"Sure Carlie, come in. You ok? You look a bit pale."
She nodded, "Yeah I'm just a bit tired today. I wanted to see how you were. You work so late and you're always here early. Can I get you coffee?"
He smiled. "Thank you. I appreciate you girls worrying about me. You look after me and I love that."
Carlie laughed. "You do the same for us. Oh your eight-fifteen is here."
He nodded, "I'll be right in. Thank you Carlie."
She left his office and grabbed the patient's chart and called them back to the room.
She took their vitals, and told them the doctor would be in shortly.
She passed Steffie taking another patient to their room. Carlie went to her seat and entered the patient's info into the computer. Erica was working with both Dr. Avery and his partner's patients today which meant she'd be busy. Dr. Avery never seemed to want to share Carlie although she didn't mind working for both doctors.
So she grabbed two of his patient's charts and called them back since she had time before Dr. Avery's next appointment.
She placed them in the respective rooms and told them the doctor would be in shortly.
Sitting at her computer, Erica was already typing in info. Carlie handed her the charts. "I had time so I did his ten and ten-thirty. You just have to enter their info."
Erica smiled, "Thanks Carlie. So what did you want to talk to me about?"
Carlie took a sip of her soda before answering. She thought about what her 'stomach bug' could really mean and even though they were good friends, she wanted to make sure herself. So instead of telling Erica her suspicion, she said, "If this is a twenty-four hour thing, maybe we can get sushi this weekend?"
Erica looked at her. "That's what you wanted to talk about?"
She nodded. "Yeah, Nick loves sushi and he may want to check it out."
~~Later that night~~
Carlie had gotten home in time to shower and change before driving to the airport to pickup Nick. She sat in her car and waited. She glanced at the time and saw that she had a few minutes. She decided to call Edwin. He picked up after three rings. "Hello?"
Carlie frowned. "Hello? Edwin? What's wrong?"
He sighed. "I feel like shit. Kaleigh and I ended things."
"What? Why what happened?"
He was quiet a moment. "I don't know. I thought we were great. She seemed to be happy but I don't know. I miss her."
Carlie reassured him, "I'm so sorry Edwin. I know how much you liked her and she seemed to like you, but please don't let her get you down. She's young and maybe didn't want to be committed just yet. You're a genuine, amazing guy who loves with his whole heart, you'll find your special girl."
He sniffed. "I know but I can still feel her hand in mine, hear her laugh, see her smile. I may just stay single."
Carlie sighed, "Oh Edwin, I'm sorry. Hey maybe I can come over in a day or so? I'm getting Nick from the airport now, but I can come over Sunday?"
Edwin replied. "I love you Carlie, you're my best friend. That would be great but I just need some time."
Carlie nodded even though he couldn't see. "I understand. I love you too. Bye." Just as she ended the call, she saw Nick walk out. She pulled up and started to get out but Nick put his bags in the back and got in. "Hey." he said as he leaned over to kiss her. She smiled into the kiss. After a minute he pulled away. "Did you miss me?"
Carlie smiled, "Nah."
"You fucker." Nick said which made her laugh. She pulled off and headed home.
Nick took his bags upstairs and she followed. He put them near the closet and walked into the bathroom. She heard the shower going. He walked out to get sleep clothes and headed back in the bathroom.
Carlie sat on the bed thinking about how to tell him her suspicions. She sighed. It wasn't a suspicion, she knew because she stopped to get ginger ale and tea as well as a couple pregnancy tests. She had taken three exact and they all said positive. A lot of things went through her mind. She thought about when it happened and she think it was the weekend they visited his parents. She thought about how to tell him and her family.
"Carlie?" Nick called.
Carlie shook herself. "I'm sorry. What?"
He pulled on his shirt. "You ok? I called you like three times."
She looked up at him. "Hey can we talk?"
He sat next to her on the bed. She closed her eyes taking in his scent. He smelled so good. He always smelled clean like spring rain. "I know we talked about doing this in a few years, but it's gonna be earlier than expected.
"Carlie what are you saying."
She took a deep breath. "We are going to have a baby."
He let out a breath and cursed. "Are you positive." He deadpanned.
She couldn't help it, she laughed. "Ugh Nick!"
He was smiling. Carlie entwined their fingers. "What are you thinking or feeling?"
He sat back against the headboard pulling her with him. "Shocked, excited, scared, nervous to tell our parents but I'm really excited. How do you feel?"
Carlie wiped her eyes unaware that she was crying. "The same things you are but I was scared that you would be angry."
He kissed her. "I'm not angry. Please know that I'm not angry."
She nodded against his chest. "Are you hungry? I can make you something to eat. I know it's late."
"No. I just want to stay like this for awhile."
They ended up falling asleep with Carlie in his arms on top of the blankets. Carlie called in sick that morning and spent the day with Nick.
