Surrogate for My Brother-in-law - Chapter 49: Chapter 49

It seemed like as soon as my bump started to show, it grew overnight. It was a good thing my secret was out, because there was no hiding the signs of my pregnancy. The pup in my belly grew bigger by the day.
I did my best to keep up with all my tasks. After all, my workload had been significantly lightened. I should be fine.
No matter how hard I tried, though, I found myself having to take breaks. I could hardly catch my breath, and I felt faint and dizzy at odd moments. The world spun any time I stood up or moved too quickly.
I rushed to carry Leo's lunch tray up for my shift as his secretary maid. I looked forward to that despite his cold demeanor because I was able to sit down the whole time. Leo insisted that I rest and brought my work to me.
I asked, once, why he was being so kind. After all, I could tell he was annoyed with me for having a pup without properly courting or asking my alpha's permission. And I knew he still suspected I was somehow involved with the Rogues, or with Zane's betrayal. Yet he still took care of me and watched over me.
Leo shrugged when I dredged up the courage to ask.
“You're carrying my best friend's pup,” he said. “And you're a member of my pack. I have a duty of care to you.”
“Oh.” I wished the reason weren't so cold. “You're taking care of me when Ethan can't be here to do it.”
“Yes,” Leo said. “He'd do the same for me, and Eva.” He paused. “I do wonder why you haven't petitioned to switch packs though. Don't you want to be with him all the time.”
“I do, but...” I hesitated. “Changing packs isn't just a legal matter. There's more to it. And transferring my wolf to Ethan's care mid pregnancy could be risky for the pup.”
“Oh, of course.” Leo nodded. “I think I read about that, but I'd forgotten. Forgive me. You have to do what's best for that pup.”
I nodded. The truth was much more complex. But it would be a risk for the pup to leave their father's pack. His presence was necessary for the pup's continued health and growth. I could never tell him that, though. At least he accepted my excuse.
I stood, intending to take the empty lunch tray back to the kitchen. The world spun, as it tended to do. I staggered, and suddenly everything went gray and my vision narrowed to the edge of Leo's desk.
I would have collapsed, but Leo caught me. He eased me into his chair and knelt in front of me. His hand rested on my forehead and then my throat. I froze, but then realized he was only trying to check my pulse.
“You fainted,” he informed me.
“I did?”
“Well, you collapsed and you weren't responding for a minute there. I don't like how fast your pulse is, either. I'm calling Ethan.”
“You don't have to, I'm fine now, I just need a moment,” I protested.
“I am calling Ethan,” Leo growled. “He is going to come here, and he is going to take you to that hospital he sponsors. You will not argue.”
I shrank back from the anger in his voice, and nodded. I knew he wasn't angry with me, exactly. He was worried and upset. I hadn't meant to scare him.
He patted my arm as he pulled out his phone. “You'll be fine,” he said, voice much softer. “Ethan has the best doctors. And a true healer on staff. They'll take good care of you.”
The healer on staff was me. Could I heal myself if something was wrong?
Ethan rushed over. If our roads had speed limits the way human roads supposedly did, he would have broken them all. He wouldn't hear a word of protest from me. He bundled me into his car with a quick thanks tossed over his shoulder to Leo.
Ethan rushed me into the hospital and took me straight to Dr. Lee's office. She was not pleased to learn I was pregnant. She was even less pleased to find out that I had hidden my early pregnancy and thus had no prenatal care.
“You haven't had any medical care this whole time?” she demanded.
I shook my head. “It's been, um, I think pretty normal. The fainting is new. This is the first time it's happened.”
“You fainted?” she asked. “Did you fully pass out, or just feel faint?”
“Um. Things went gray and my vision tunneled,” I said. “Alpha Leo said I wouldn't respond to him though. I don't remember him asking anything.”
Dr. Lee sighed. “Let's take your blood pressure first. And then a full examination. I'll order the ultrasound machine warmed up. You're lucky we even have one; we don't handle pregnancy care here normally.”
I nodded. “Thank you.”
“I'm a doctor, Tessa, it's my job to take care of you. Why didn't you ever say anything? You had to know Ethan would take responsibility. He's flighty, but he's not a bastard.”
“It's really complicated,” I said.
“Complicated like why you're Tessa now, and Dr. Angel when you wear the mask?” Dr. Lee asked.
I froze. “How-”
“I'm a doctor. I notice things.” She smiled and patted my hand. “I will never tell anyone what we discuss between us, Tessa. I took a vow, and part of that vow is to honor the privacy of any person under my care. I only mentioned it because healing others can be a strain.”
“My wolf didn't seem worried,” I protested.
“Early in your pregnancy it would have been fine,” Dr. Lee said, “and it might still be, but I'd really rather you avoid taking the risk.”
“But I can't just let someone die,” I said.
“I understand that,” Dr. Lee said. “Just... let us decide if a patient is truly that critical first. Please? Don't risk it for anything less than life or death.”
“All right,” I agreed. “For the pup.”
“And for yourself, Tessa. You matter, too. That pup isn't my patient, you are.”
Dr. Lee ran a battery of tests. She checked my blood pressure, pulse, and blood sugar. She asked me questions about my diet, my workload, and my daily activities. She was visibly unhappy even with my reduced workload.
Then she took me for the ultrasound. Ethan joined us, and held my hand as the cold wand was pressed against the swell of my belly.
The ultrasound showed a healthy, well-formed pup. Dr. Lee did a few calculations, and quietly asked Ethan to leave.
“Is something wrong?” I asked, clutching my gel coated belly.
“No, the pup is healthy, everything's fine,” Dr. Lee assured me. “But Tessa... you're a month, maybe less, from giving birth. There is no way this is Ethan's pup. I know when you first met him and it was weeks after the latest possible date of conception.”
I winced, and looked away.
“Does he know?” she asked gently.
I nodded. “He knows. He... he claimed it to help me.”
“Ah. Yeah, that sounds like Ethan,” she sighed. “Well. Don't worry. I already promised you I will never tell anyone anything you tell me or that I learn about your health. And because you're half human, any discrepancy in the gestation period will simply be blamed on that.”
“Oh. Will that cause any problems?” I asked.
“I don't think so,” Dr. Lee said. “However, I do have some recommendations that you're not going to enjoy.”
She listed them off, after inviting Ethan back into the room. She was right. I didn't like them.