Finding Hayes: A Small Town, Marriage of Convenience Romance (Magnolia Falls Series Book 5)

“So, there are two heartbeats. You’re definitely having twins,” Dr. Shaker said. Dr. Dorsey had referred me to a friend of his that had an office up the street as a courtesy.

My eyes watered because the thought of two little humans growing in my belly was overwhelming in the best way—and in the worst way. My emotions were all over the place.

I was thrilled about being a mother.

But I was terrified that it would cost me the man that I loved.

I hadn’t wanted to talk to him about it until I knew for sure. Until I knew this wasn’t a mistake.

I was pregnant.

With twins.

I was going to be a mother, and Hayes was going to be a father.

A tear ran down my cheek, and Dr. Shaker reached for a tissue and handed it to me as she cleaned the gel off of my stomach. I wasn’t showing yet, but from the side view, it looked like I’d had a hearty lunch. No one would even know I was pregnant yet, but here we were.

I’d just heard two heartbeats.

I sat up and pulled my shirt down. “Thank you for doing this.”

“Of course. I know it’s a lot to process finding out you aren’t carrying just one baby, you’re carrying two. I’m sure it’s hard being away from home and finding out the news, but Dr. Dorsey called in a favor, and I was happy to help,” she said. She was tall with long red hair and absolutely stunning. I felt a comfort with her immediately.

“My husband and I haven’t been married that long, so we weren’t exactly planning on this,” I said. “Being on the pill, I didn’t even think it was possible.”

She nodded, no judgment in her gaze. “It’s a lot. Have you told him yet?”

“No. I’d rather do it in person.” I fidgeted with my hands. I didn’t even know how to have the conversation, if I were being honest. He’d made his feelings known upfront. I’d said I was okay with it. And now I was changing everything up.

Forcing his hand.

“Here you go,” she said, as she handed me more tissue, and I realized tears were streaming down my face. “It’s okay to be scared. It’s okay to have doubts. Everything you are feeling is perfectly normal.”

“Thank you.” A sob escaped my throat. “I’m just—surprised and confused. I’m really happy, and then I feel guilty that I’m happy because this wasn’t the plan. And then I’m really sad and then I feel guilty for being sad because I’m pregnant. With two babies. How lucky am I?” I blubbered. “But I came here to focus on my father, and I just got married, and we weren’t planning on having kids, and now I’m pregnant with twins?”

I was full-on crying now in the examination room of a doctor I’d never met before today. And she did the most unexpected thing of all.

She wrapped her arms around me and hugged me.

“All of these feelings are valid, Savannah. It’s okay to be happy and sad and confused and elated all at the same time. But I’m going to give you a little advice that my grandmother told me a long time ago, and trust me when I tell you she is the wisest woman I know.”

“Okay,” I whimpered as she pulled back and sat down on her rolling stool, sliding right in front of me.

“There is no perfect time to be pregnant or to have a child. You’ll never feel like you have enough money or enough time to bring a baby into the world. But that doesn’t mean it isn’t the right time, and I speak from experience.”

“You have children?”

“I have three. Ask me how many kids I planned on having?”

“Two?” I swiped at the tears running down my cheeks.

“Nope. Zero. I wanted to start my practice and focus on my career. My husband was okay with it, as he’s also a doctor, and though he’d wanted children, it wasn’t a deal-breaker when I’d told him that I didn’t.”

I couldn’t wrap my head around that. “You deliver babies all day, and you didn’t want kids of your own?”

“Nope. I just never felt that need to have them, but I love bringing them into the world and watching that joy on my patients’ faces.” She shrugged. “And then I got pregnant with Benson. I was very overwhelmed when I first found out. I cried and wrestled with what to do. My husband supported me either way. But then I felt my son move, and I don’t know, something changed in me. But I had a partner who supported me, one that I supported, as well. And we talked it out and decided that we would have one child. One would be plenty.” She chuckled.

I laughed and shook my head. “And now you have three?”

“Yeah. Who knew I could love those little hellions so much?” She shook her head. “Three boys. And they’re loud and messy and—fabulous. My point is, it’s okay to be scared. It doesn’t mean it’s a bad thing. You have choices and options, and I’m happy to discuss them if you want.”

“Thank you. I know that I want these babies. I just hope it’s not at the expense of my marriage.”

There. I said it.

That was my fear.

“Well, there’s only one way to find out. Sometimes people surprise you, you know?”

“I know that Hayes loves me. He’d do anything for me. But I don’t want him to do anything at the expense of his own happiness.” My words broke on a sob again, and I was mortified that I was such a mess.

“You’ll talk to him when you’re ready. And I’m here if you need me.” She wheeled back and pushed to her feet before scribbling her phone number down on the back of a business card. “You call me anytime, okay?”

“Thank you. I really appreciate you seeing me.” I swiped at my face with the tissue before blowing my nose.

“Of course. We’ll talk soon.” She handed me the photos from the ultrasound and waved before leaving the room.

I stared down at the photos and pushed to my feet.

When I stepped onto the elevator, I pulled out my phone and saw the missed calls from Hayes, Saylor, Demi, Ruby, Peyton, and Emerson. My heart raced because though we all talked often, they didn’t usually all call at the same time.

I went to listen to the voice messages just as a text message popped up.

Hot Husband

Hey. I’ve called a few times. I didn’t want you to hear from anyone else. There was a fire early this morning, and I fell through some flooring that was no longer stable. I’m fine. I’m just getting checked out at the hospital, but you know how everyone likes to make things a big deal. How’s your father this morning?

As soon as I was out of the building, I dropped onto a park bench to sit and pulled out my phone to FaceTime him. It had been days since I’d seen his face. I’d been avoiding it because I knew seeing him would make me more emotional.

He picked up immediately. His face was covered in soot, and his hair was disheveled.

“Hey, beautiful. I missed your face.” His smile was forced, and a nurse handed him a bottle of water.

I nodded, fighting the tears that just wanted to fall all day long lately. No words came at first, and I just tried to breathe in and out and keep it together.

“Everything is okay, Sav. I’m right here.”

“You’re okay?” I squeaked and shook my head frantically. “I need you to be okay.”

“I feel completely fine. A few scratches and bruises. Nothing that won’t heal in a few days,” he said.

“And a fractured wrist and a concussion,” the nurse grumbled beside him.

“You have a broken wrist and a concussion?” I gasped and held my hand over my eyes to hide the tears.

It was all too much lately.

My father’s suffering. My unexpected pregnancy with twins. And now Hayes was hurt, too?

In what universe did any of this feel fair?

“Savannah.” His voice was hard, pulling me from my meltdown, and I dragged my hand away from my eyes.

“Yes.”

“I. Am. Fine.” He glared to the side, and I assumed it was aimed at the nurse. “Any time someone hits their head, they say it’s a concussion.”

I heard the nurse disagree with him, and he asked her if she could give him a moment.

“Baby. Look at me. I’m worried about you. I’m not worried about me. I’m a firefighter. Sometimes we fall. This wasn’t that bad. I’ve had worse. But you’ve been distant. I know this is a lot with your dad, and I understand that, but we’re a team. And when you’re hurting, I’m hurting. So you need to talk to me and tell me what the fuck is going on.”

I shook my head and shrugged. “It’s just been a lot. I’m sorry I worried you. That’s the last thing I want to do.”

“I don’t give a shit about that. I don’t want you to shut me out. We did that a decade ago, and we lost a lot of time. That’s not who we are. If you need me there, I will get my shifts covered. If you want to come home for a break, I will book you a flight right fucking now. But you have to tell me what you need.” His green eyes locked with mine through the phone.

What do I need?

“I need time,” I said, just above a whisper.

“Time? What the fuck does that even mean? Time for what? You’re already in a different state. You aren’t telling me shit about what’s going on. And you need time?”

I nodded. Because it was the truth. I wasn’t ready to tell him.

Because telling him meant everything could end right now.

And I couldn’t handle that.

“I love you,” I said, because he needed to hear it.

I needed to say it.

I loved him so much, and I was struggling to embrace what was happening in my life. Struggling to admit that I wanted something that he didn’t. Something that could tear us apart.

“Okay. I’ll give you time.” He shrugged. “I’m here when you want to tell me what’s going on.”

We just stared at one another for the longest time before he spoke again. “I love you.”

“I love you, too.” I ended the call and sat on the park bench for the next hour, and I let it all out. I didn’t care who saw me. And as people walked by, some didn’t react, others gave me an empathetic smile, and a few looked annoyed to see a grown woman blubbering on a park bench in the middle of the day in a busy city.

And I didn’t give two shits.

Because sometimes you just needed to let it all out.

I’d held everything in for such a long time, and ever since I’d come back to Magnolia Falls and found my way back to Hayes, I’d started facing all the things I’d been running from.

Finding Hayes had opened me up.

And now I was feeling everything.

I glanced down at the little carrot tattoo on my wrist and ran my thumb over it.

He was the other half of my soul, and I couldn’t do life without him.

So I’d have to come clean.

And I’d just hope like hell that he’d pick me.

That he’d pick us.

I reached for my phone and looked at the group chat with the girls, who had all told me about the fire and Hayes being in the hospital. They’d been checking in daily, and I appreciated this new friendship I’d found with these amazing women.

I just talked to him. Is he telling me the truth? Is he okay?

Saylor

I’m here at the hospital, and he’s fine. I promise. He’s a stubborn ass and wants to go back to work, but they want him to take a few days off.

Ruby

Who falls through a floor during a blazing fire and wants to go back to work? Stubborn is an understatement. But River is there at the hospital, as well, and he said he seems good. I’ll go check on him as soon as I get off work.

Demi

Romeo said he’s much more concerned about you than he is about himself. Are you doing okay? I miss you.

Peyton

Of course, he misses his hot wife. What’s not to miss? When are you coming home?

Emerson

I just got to the hospital. He’ll be okay in a few days. A fractured wrist and a mild concussion. He’ll be good as new before you know it. How are you doing? I know it’s a lot with your father, Savvy. It’s never easy to watch someone you love suffer. We are here for you if you need us.

Saylor

<photo of Saylor and Emerson smiling at the hospital, with grumpy Hayes flipping the bird at the camera behind them>

I chuckled. I knew he was okay by the look on his face.

Ruby

We need a bottomless mimosa brunch really bad. And now Demi can join in with us.

Demi

I’m nursing. We don’t need baby Hayes to be on the bubbly. He’s already the gassiest baby on the planet.

I haven’t gotten my daily photo of baby Hayes today. Please send one soon. Those photos get me through most days.

Demi

<Photo of baby Hayes in nothing but a diaper, lying on his back sleeping>

Peyton

That kid is such a porker.

Emerson

He’s a healthy, happy baby.

Saylor

I just want to squeeze those chunky little thighs.

Ruby

And he always smells like baby powder and sunshine.

He’s perfect. I love you guys.

Ruby

Love you. Mimosas the minute you’re home.

There were no mimosas in my future. But I couldn’t say that yet. I couldn’t tell a soul the news that I was pregnant until I told my husband.

And this secret was killing me.