My Healer (Bewitched and Bewildered Book 3) (7 page)

"Yes, sir!" Male voices rang out.

Aiden walked over. "Okay Penny, it's up to you now. Do you think you can take these puffed up warriors down a peg or two?" he asked.

Penny nodded and wiggled. Colton put her down and stepped back. Penny removed her coat and mittens. Like all shifter children, her temperature ran warm. They were usually bundled up if they weren't going to be moving much, but since Penny was going to be moving around a lot, her jeans and fleece shirt would do just fine.

"Go easy on us baby girl," Quinn called from the field, his tone almost teasing.

Penny turned and looked him in the eye, never changing expression. Wordlessly she reached down, picked up some mud and covered her face.

"Oh fuck!" Quinn and the rest of the men stared at her.

"What are you two idiots waiting for? Get those barrels of hay up to block the tower," Sascha barked. Suddenly the men were a lot more serious about this drill.

Colton knelt down next to Penny. "Take your time. It will be a lot more fun watching them panic if they can't see you than if you manage to ring the bell but they saw you coming." Penny nodded and spread her feet apart to stretch.

Colton stood and frowned down at his daughter. "Remind me to call Radek and ask him what he taught my daughter."

Aiden nodded. "No kidding." He turned to Penny. "Hey angel, if you manage to get all three bell towers I will buy you whatever dessert you want after dinner for a whole week."

Penny stopped stretching and held up two fingers.

Aiden laughed. "Two weeks, huh? You drive a hard bargain, but you have yourself a deal."

Colton shook his head. "I have the best kid in the history of kids, including the time we were kids."

Aiden nodded again. "Agreed. Okay men close your eyes let's give her a thirty second head start."

When Colton turned to see what Penny would do, she was already gone.

Best. Kid. Ever

*****

"Adam, Aiden's brother, runs the clinic. They're just wrapping up some much needed renovations, so you'll have to excuse the mess," Beth explained as they got out of the car.

"I've probably seen worse," Rheia assured her.

They walked through a heavy set of metal double doors and down a long hallway. From top to bottom, the entire building looked brand new. The smell of paint and cut lumber was thick in the air. Rheia walked behind Meryn and Beth, peeking into rooms. She saw box after box piled together covered in plastic. It looked as if none of the imaging machines had been unpacked yet. They turned down another hall that opened up to a large waiting room area. Beth pulled out her cell phone. After a few seconds she spoke.

"We're here. Okay, see you in a second." Beth smiled at Rheia and put the phone away.

A minute later, a tall, dark haired man emerged from behind a set of double doors at the end of the hallway. Without even asking, Rheia knew this was Adam; he looked just like his brother.

"Adam, I would like you to meet Rheia. She's only just arrived this afternoon and it looks like she'll be here for a while. She is Colton's mate and a doctor," Beth informed him.

Adam's face broke out in a smile. "Welcome! I could really use your help here at the clinic. Between an unexpected baby boom and feral attacks, we don't have the personnel to deal with everything."

Rheia smiled up at him. "I'm actually relieved. I didn't think a paranormal city would even have doctors, considering how quickly you heal."

Adam's eyebrows shot up "You have experience treating paranormals?" he asked eagerly.

She nodded. "As a child I helped my mother to treat the squad of paranormals that lived in our town. After becoming a doctor I continued to treat them."

"I must have done something right; the Gods are smiling down on me. First, my wonderful sister Meryn tricks the council members into renovating and upgrading the clinic, and now Fate herself has sent me a doctor with experience in treating paranormals. I may actually get a few hours sleep this week after all."

"When would you need me?" she asked.

"Would starting tomorrow be too soon?" he asked hopefully.

"That shouldn't be a problem; I'll have to make sure someone can watch my daughter."

Adam blinked. "You have a daughter?"

"Yes, will that be a problem?" she asked frowning. He didn't seem like he was a man to judge.

Adam shook his head smiling wide. "No, not at all. That means Colton is a father. I can't wait to congratulate him."

"We're still figuring things out, but he seems like he'll make a good father," she admitted.

"Anyone who can grow up around Aiden and keep his sense of humor can't be all bad," Adam teased.

Meryn turned to Adam. "Speaking of your brother, where on his body would be a safe place to stab him with a fork? Where it would be painful, but wouldn't take long to heal?"

Adam brought his hand up to his chin and tapped his finger on his lips as he thought about his answer. "Why don't you tell me, Adair and Ben what he's done and we'll take care of it, after all, that's what brothers are for," he offered.

Rheia had to admit, he handled Meryn fairly well. It was highly unlikely that his brothers would stab Aiden.

"He forgot to tell me about the two hundred plus warriors living out amongst humans in an inactive status," Meryn said sourly.

Adam stared at Meryn in disbelief. He blinked and then shook his head. "Outer thigh."

So much for brotherly love.

"Okay enough about my baby brother, I'd rather talk about my baby niece or nephew. Let's head to my office, it'll be more comfortable."
 

Adam led the way to a small office painted in a butter cream color. Rheia and Beth sat down on the office sofa while Ryuu stood outside the door. Meryn took the chair in front of Adam's desk.
 

He pulled out a folder and began reading the contents. Rheia knew from experience the news would not be good. Doctors always knew the contents of those folders cover to cover, before the patient even stepped into the room. He was pretending to look over the contents of the folder to gather his thoughts.

"Am I allowed to speak freely in front of everyone in this room?" he asked.

Meryn frowned and nodded.

"Okay then, to be honest Meryn, your test results worry me. The anemia hasn't gotten any better and if you didn't have Ryuu tending to you, I would seriously doubt you were taking your vitamins." He closed the folder and put it on his desk.

"But I've cut back on my coffee!" Meryn twisted her hands anxiously.

Rheia noticed Beth was on the verge of standing to go to her friend when the door opened. Ryuu walked in and placed a comforting hand on Meryn's back.
 

"What more can we do?" he asked Adam. Rheia noticed he didn't even try to hide that fact that he had been eavesdropping.

Adam took out a pad and began writing. "I'm recommending iron supplements to take in addition to the pre-natal vitamins I prescribed during your last visit. As I told you, human and shifters can have babies, but it may be a rough pregnancy. No caffeine, in any form and a diet with lean meats and lots of dark green leafy vegetables should help. No more long nights with no sleep. You have to start thinking of your baby, Meryn." His voice was gentle, but firm.

"I'll do whatever it takes. I'm going to be a good mom," Meryn said, her voice trembling.
 

Beth shot off of the couch and wrapped a supportive arm around Meryn's shoulders. "Of course you are. Whatever you need, we'll get it."

Ryuu was already on his phone. The way his finger moved rapidly over its surface, Rheia was willing to bet he had already ordered the iron supplements and was planning new menus.

Adam stood and walked around his desk to kneel down in front of Meryn. "I won't let anything happen to my niece or nephew."

"It's a girl. I keep telling Aiden we're having Meryn 2.0," Meryn said smiling.

Adam's eyes crinkled at the corners when he smiled. "Then I will help Meryn 2.0 into this world, because she has a lot of people already waiting to meet her." Adam stood. "Okay, I'll put you down for more blood work in about three weeks and then you can come back in for your three month check up." He walked back around to his chair and sat down.

Rheia frowned. "Aren't you going to do a pelvic exam?" Four sets of eyes turned to her.

Adam turned red. "Normally yes, but given the circumstances..."

Rheia stood, exasperated. "Men! Meryn, would you feel comfortable if I did it?"

Meryn nodded rapidly. Adam sat back in his chair, relief pouring from him. "Thank you, Gods!"

Rheia turned to him. "Do you have a room we could use? It shouldn't take too long."

Adam practically leapt from his chair. "I'll show you."

"Ryuu and I will wait here," Beth said.

"Be right back." Meryn waved.

Rheia and Meryn followed behind Adam. He opened a door to one of the smaller room and stood to one side. "Everything you need should be in here. I'll go wait with Beth and Ryuu." He shut the door and they heard him practically race away.

Meryn turned to her. "I'm so glad you're here."

Laughing Rheia pointed to the paper-covered table. "Have you ever had a pelvic exam before?" She opened the first cabinet and was pleasantly surprised to find the examination gowns.

 
"I started getting them in college as part of my yearlies."

"Good, then you know the drill. Normally I would step out of the room while you undress, but to save time, I'll just be over here assembling the needed supplies, that is, if that's okay with you?" Rheia handed her the paper gown.

"Fine by me, I'm just glad it's you looking up my who-ha and not Adam. Can you imagine how awkward that would have made family holidays?" Meryn asked.

Rheia snorted and started opening the other cabinets. She found a speculum and the lubricant and lined them up side by side on the metal tray. Looking around she found an assortment of non-latex gloves by the sink. She put on a pair and turned to find Meryn playing around with the blood pressure cuff.

"Ready?" she asked sliding the tray in her direction.

Meryn nodded and tried getting on the table but it was too high. They found the small metal step stool and she hopped up on the table.

"What do you guys listen for when you use that thing anyway?" Meryn asked, pointing to the cuff.

"Your heartbeat, now lay back and get comfortable."

Meryn reclined back.

Rheia pulled out the stirrups from either side of the bed. "Okay scoot down to the edge of the table."

Meryn wiggled down and Rheia helped place her heels on the stirrups.

"Okay, while I do this, you can tell me about matings, because to be honest with you, everything feels like it's moving too fast for me," Rheia said, starting the exam.

"Well. Being mated to a paranormal is way different than being with a human. It's like you're slipped this really cool happy drug that makes all your defenses come down and bam, you're exposed. But you realize it's okay, because no matter how crazy or broken or unworthy you think you are, your mate loves and wants you just the way you are. And just when you're about to freak out that this stranger can see right to your heart, you realize his walls are down too. Before you know it, your souls are reaching out for one another and you feel incomplete without him. You look at this man you just met and know that no other will ever compare. Plus the sex is really hot, hence my current condition."

Rheia finished the exam and helped Meryn to sit up. "You're a nut, you know that right?"

Meryn nodded. "Yeah, but I can be nutty and crazy, immature and brilliant and it doesn't matter, because Aiden loves me no matter what, even after I accidentally shot him, so everyone else who can't take a joke can fuck off."

Rheia took off her gloves and washed her hands. "I'll step out so you can clean up, I'll wait for you outside."

"Okie dokie."
 

Rheia handed Meryn a box of tissues and opened the door to step out into the hallway. A couple minutes later, a dressed Meryn emerged. "So is everything kosher down in lady town?"
 

Rheia laughed. "Yes, everything is fine."

"Good. I have enough problems with functioning with no caffeine and having low iron."

"The supplements should help a lot."

"Thanks. Hey, can I ask you something?" Meryn stopped.

"Sure."
 

"Why doesn't Penny talk?"

Rheia shook her head. "I don't know. She wasn't physically injured during the attack which killed her parents, so it has to be psychological. When I asked around at the hospital, to get a recommended course of action, they all said to institutionalize her. There's no way I would do that to her, so I decided to let her go at her own pace. When she's ready to talk, she will."

"That's cool; I just didn't want to put my foot in it, in case it was something specific. I do that a lot," Meryn admitted.

"You?" Rheia asked, feigned surprise.

"You're so funny." Meryn smiled. "She's a really neat kid; I've never met another Whovian who was so young before."

"It was the only thing that caught her interest after I got her."

Meryn made a face. "I'm not judging, because I think that's a dick thing to do, but as much as I love the Doctor, do you think it's appropriate for a little kid?"

"Trust me I know exactly what you're talking about. I tried every cartoon in existence, even the annoying singing ones, but she would stare at me then turn off the television."

"Some of the bad guys can be pretty scary."

"She's seen real monsters. I don't think much scares her anymore."

"I've seen them, too," Meryn said quietly.

"Meryn, be honest with me. How safe is it here? The things that attacked my house, they were like rabid dogs." Rheia shuddered at the memory.

"It's safe, but it isn't."

"That's helpful."

"It's safe because we're surrounded by unit warriors. They do patrols at all hours to guard the city's perimeter. It isn't safe, because the ferals know where to find us."