Bear My Babies

Chapter 4

“Melissa,” Tilly called from outside the door where she was getting everything ready. “Are you in here?”

“Where else would I be? Come in.”

Tilly walked in to see a long line of needles and other equipment set up. “You have an appointment for you on the schedule and you have me marked down to assist. Have you lost your mind?”

“Surely you didn’t think I’d be able to give myself these shots did you?”

“Oh, you know I’m not good with needles!” Tilly tried to leave, but she reached out and grabbed her arm.

“Listen, I really need your help and I know you can do it. Just pretend you’re injecting a piece of fruit.”

“Fruit doesn’t move about and squeal.”

“True, but I’m a tough piece of fruit, Tilly. There’s only seven shots.”

“Seven.” Tilly’s face went a bit white and she leaned on the counter for support.

“Let’s try a small one first.” She rolled her sleeve up and sat down in the chair pointing to the first needle Tilly would need to use. Watching her walk over to the needle and dramatically pick it up, she rolled her eyes. It wasn’t that hard. Tilly was approaching her with the needle and she was shaking, visibly.

“This is not easy for me.”

“Okay, you know what, you’re going to stab me or yourself. Call Dr. Martin. I’ll wait.”

Dr. Martin was a younger fertility doctor who would come in from time to time to assist her with a troubling case or if there were too many appointments at one time. He was reliable, and could hold a needle straight. He did mostly house calls and weekend work, so it was good that she could call him when she needed him. Tilly called him Dr. Dreamy Eyes, but not to his face.

“Said he could be here by twelve.” Tilly came back in. “What will we do for lunch?”

“We’ll just have it now so I’ll be ready for him.”

They got their lunches heated up and sat across from each other in the breakroom. “I’m sorry I couldn’t do the shots for you.”

“It’s okay Tilly, I didn’t realize needles bothered you as badly as they do.” She thought her friend was going to melt into the floor. It would have been funny had she not really needed her help.

“I’ve never much cared for them since I was a little girl.”

“Well, I can’t have you passing out on me. Dr. Martin will be quick with them. Hopefully, he won’t ask too many questions.”

“He will because he really likes you.”

“Dr. Martin? He does not.”

As if on cue, the handsome curly brown head popped into the room with a bright smile.

“Good afternoon, Melissa. I hear I’m needed to give a patient some shots.”

His bright blue eyes twinkled as he walked toward her. She had to admit he was handsome, but he was so young.

“I do, Bruce. The shots are actually for me.”

He rushed over and put his hand to the back of her head concern in his eyes. “Are you sick, Melissa?”

“No, I’m fine.” Melissa couldn’t help but blush under his touch. “I’m actually going to help a client have a baby.”

His face fell as he looked to Tilly in disbelief. She just shrugged at him and then he turned back to her. “Not a were-baby?”

“Yes, actually, Bruce, a were-baby. I’m finally going to get to try out some of my theories on a human being able to support a supernatural fetus. It’s very exciting.”

“It’s stupid, not to mention dangerous.” Bruce stood and started to pace the room. “You don’t know what you’re doing to your body by putting those things in there. What’s even in these shots you’re planning to take?”

“Tilly, will you go mind the desk? This may take a bit longer than I originally thought.” She could tell her assistant did not want to go out, but she did finally get up and leave. Melissa closed the door behind her.

“You know I’m right,” Bruce said as he sat down at the table across from her.

“There’s some risk to my plan, I know that. I’ve been studying Brennan Thomas and her work. She’s successfully added were DNA to a human to help with healing. It was controversial, but it worked for her. This is something that’s being done, and can be done. It just needs a subject to see what tweaks need to be made.”

“Why does that subject have to be you, Melissa?” Bruce stood and walked over to her taking her shoulders in his hands. She tried not to look into his gorgeous eyes as he gently shook her. “Look at me, please. I care about you. I don’t want you to hurt yourself.”

She broke free from his hold, mostly because she was being sucked in to his concerned face. Maybe Tilly was right about him liking her, but she couldn’t get distracted by that now. She had to start somewhere with her research, and it might as well be with her.

“I’m doing this, Bruce. I need help to do it, but if you’re not comfortable, I can find someone else to help me. I would never want to put you in a bad position.”

“Oh no, if you insist, then I’m monitoring you.” He pulled his phone out and dialed someone, never taking his eyes off of her. “Richard, clear my schedule today, please. Something has come up that requires the rest of my day.”

“Thank you, Bruce.” Melissa smiled, but she knew he wasn’t happy with her. “Let’s go ahead and get started.”

They walked down the hall to exam room one where she’d set everything up. There were seven needles lined up on the table, each of them with something different in them. She wasn’t sure what a combination of all of them would do so she’d chosen the exam room with an attached bathroom just to be safe.