Ian gave Tessa a stern look as he sat down next to her on the bed, his shirt still half-unbuttoned, and his tie draped over a bedside chair. “Tessa, no offense darling, but you look like hell right now. I’d feel much better if you stayed at home and rested. Please?”
She shook her head stubbornly. “It’s just my stupid period, Ian, not the plague. Let me - oh.” Tessa doubled over in pain as another killer cramp wrenched her lower body.
He grimaced, drawing her close, and gently rubbing his hand over her belly. “You’re not leaving this house today, my love, maybe not this bed. And I still can’t believe the absolutely rotten timing of this trip to Vegas. You know I wouldn’t be going if it wasn’t so critical?”
She nodded in understanding, sliding her hand over his as he continued to rub her cramping belly soothingly. “Of course I know. And I’d say it’s pretty important for you to be there.”
Over the last few days had come the discovery that the casino manager at the Las Vegas resort had been involved in a complex money laundering operation. Ian was flying out this morning along with several of his highest level managers to meet with the FBI, the Nevada Gaming Commission, and the local authorities. He hoped to resolve the matter within two to three days, and was also keeping his fingers crossed that the problem had been uncovered early enough so that the damage was minimal.
He shook his head. “This is why I dislike having casinos in any of our properties - too damned many potential complications like this one. But fortunately it sounds like we discovered this one fairly early in the game so we should be able to straighten things out quickly.”
Tessa cuddled up against him, seeking out his body heat. She’d been freezing most of the night, despite the warm August weather, and was wearing a pair of sweatpants and a thermal knit top. Her hands and feet still felt cold as ice.
“I’ll miss you a whole lot,” she murmured, looping her arms around his neck. “You realize we haven’t spent a night away from each other since April?”
Ian stroked her sleep-mussed hair. “I’m very well aware of that, love,” he told her. “But even if you didn’t have that orientation at school tomorrow, there’s no way I’d have taken you on this trip anyway. Not in this condition.”
Her period had begun on Saturday - two days ago - and the timing couldn’t have been worse, given Ian’s impending trip to Las Vegas. There had been no question of Tessa accompanying him this time, since she had to attend a half-day orientation at the university tomorrow. Her online classes didn’t officially begin for another ten days or so, but her attendance at tomorrow’s event was mandatory. She was also planning to buy whatever books and other materials she needed for her classes at the campus bookstore tomorrow.
She’d had a restless night, plagued with cramps and a terrible headache, plus some of the heaviest bleeding she’d ever experienced. She was clearly exhausted this morning, and had shuddered to see her reflection in the mirror - skin so pale it looked as though it had been bleached white; dark circles under her eyes; her hair sticking up in a dozen different places. Ian had insisted on bringing her some tea but she’d refused any food, her cramps so severe she was almost nauseous from the pain.
Ian frowned as a chill went through her body, and he took her hands in his to warm them. “Tessa, this can’t continue, you know that. It tears me up to see you suffer like this every month. I’m going to call Jordan during the flight and make an appointment for us to see him a week from today.”
“I’m not sure what he’s going to be able to tell us,” she argued. “I tried three different brands of the pill – they all made me sick in one way or the other. The nurse at the clinic said it’s rare to have allergic reactions, but that’s definitely what happened in my case.”
“Darling, that was several years ago, don’t forget. I’m sure new products have come on the market since then. Besides, there’s a great deal of difference between an overworked public health nurse at a free clinic with limited resources, and the top man in his field at the best hospital here in the city. Jordan will have far more resources at his disposal so that he can work with us at finding a better solution. Because this,” he gestured to her shivering, cramping form, “is not something that can go on any longer.”
She sighed and began to button up his dress shirt. “I’m just not sure what other alternatives will work for me. Most everything I’ve researched has hormones of some sort, and that’s apparently what I have a bad reaction to.”
He kissed the top of her head. “Let’s see what Jordan has to say, hmm? I’ll tell you now, Tessa, as much as I hate the thought, I’d resort to using condoms before I see you suffer through one more cycle like this.”
“No!” She shook her head vehemently, having feared he’d bring that subject up. “I’d hate that, Ian, absolutely hate that.”
He scooped her onto his lap and tucked her head beneath his chin as he held her. “So would I, but it would still be better than watching you this way.” He splayed his head over her belly. “And since I don’t plan on getting you pregnant just yet, we’ll have to do something.”
Tessa gave a little gasp and lifted her head to stare at him. “We’ve never actually discussed that particular subject, have we?”
“No, we haven’t.” Ian looked pensive all of a sudden. “What are your feelings on the matter?”
She smiled and placed her hand over his. “I’ve always wanted children. And I especially want to have
your
children.” She bit her lip uncertainly. “But - that’s only if you do too, of course.”
Ian kissed her, a sweet, soft gesture. “My darling, don’t you know that one of my fondest dreams is to see your belly grow big with my baby one day?” His hand cupped her breast, drawing a hiss from her as his thumb rasped over the nipple. “Or to watch my child nursing at your breast? Yes, of course, I want children, Tessa, so long as
you’re
their mother.”
“I love you, Ian,” she told him quietly, resting her head on his shoulder. “And I would love nothing better than to give you as many babies as you wish.”
He chuckled. “Let’s start with one and take it from there, all right? But,” he added, in a more serious tone, “not just yet. I’m a selfish enough man to want you all to myself for a time. Which is why we are going to see Jordan as soon as possible and get this birth control situation taken care of.”
“Okay.” She gave an exhausted sigh, too worn out to argue any further.
Ian frowned in concern as he gently laid her back against the pillows and covered her with the duvet. “Tessa, I’m not convinced you shouldn’t see Jordan before next week. Not to discuss birth control - I want to be present for that - but to check you out right now. You’re so pale, darling, and your skin feels clammy. Why don’t you let me set something up for today? If he can’t fit you in I’m sure one of his associates can. Simon can drive you.”
“No.” she clasped his hand. “This isn’t anything I haven’t been through many times before. It will pass, it always does. By tomorrow it will have eased up, and by the time you return on Thursday it will hopefully be all done. So,” she added teasingly, “you’d better get lots of sleep while you’re away because you’ll be expected to perform as soon as you get back.”
Ian laughed as he bent and kissed her cheek. “Very well, my lusty maiden. I know what you’re like after you’ve had to abstain for several days, so I will definitely try to get as much rest as possible. You’re certain about Jordan?”
“Yes. I’ll be fine. Just make the appointment for next week, all right?”
Tessa knew Ian had a lot on his plate right now, that this unexpected situation in Las Vegas couldn’t have come at a worse time. They had been traveling almost constantly these past few weeks, trying to get as many hotel reviews done as possible in anticipation of their vacation next month. Ian was taking her to Tuscany in mid-September, and then to London, and they would be away for a total of two weeks. So the last thing she wanted to do was worry him, or give him cause for concern. She very intentionally didn’t tell him, therefore, that this was the worst she’d ever felt during one of her periods. The cramps were unbearable, the regular doses of Tylenol doing nothing to ease her suffering. She’d been bleeding heavily for almost two full days now, and felt weak from the blood loss, almost dizzy at times. She had no energy, could barely even think of getting out of bed, and was grateful she didn’t have a regular job she had to report to. She only hoped she could summon enough strength to attend tomorrow’s orientation.
She hadn’t realized she’d begun to doze off until Ian sat back down on the bed next to her. She gazed up at him drowsily, her thoughts more than a little unfocused.
“Hmm, what is it?” she murmured sleepily.
His brows knit together worriedly. “I’m afraid I need to leave now, darling. Simon will be arriving within the next five minutes. Are you certain you’re all right? I don’t have a very good feeling about leaving you this way.”
“I’ll be fine,” she whispered, too tired to even lift her head from the pillow. “And don’t forget. I’m the one who always gets those bad feelings, not you. Besides, today’s a Monday. Bad things only happen on Wednesdays.”
He shook his head in exasperation. “If it’s the last thing I do, I’m going to clear your mind of that ridiculous superstition. Now, give me a kiss good-bye, love.”
Tessa clung to him as he gave her a long, searching kiss, unwilling to let him go. In the end, he gently disengaged her arms and stood, smoothing her hair off her face as he did so.
“I’ll expect frequent calls and texts from you, understand?” he told her in mock severity. “I may be tied up in meetings but I’ll check my phone on a regular basis. Now, rest up and recover.” He winked at her. “We have a big date on Thursday night. Maybe I’ll bring you a surprise back from Las Vegas. From the La Perla store, to be exact.”
She squeezed his hand and forced herself to smile. “A gift for both of us, in other words.”
Ian laughed, giving her one final, quick kiss before he walked out of their bedroom. Tessa was fast asleep before he reached the foyer.
***
After lazing away the better part of Monday, Tessa was relieved to wake on Tuesday and feel considerably better. Her period was still going on but seemed to have eased a little, and the cramps were still present but bearable. She was able to eat a decent breakfast, and felt a little stronger with some food in her system. Somewhat guiltily, she realized that she’d only had tea and saltine crackers the day before.
‘God, if I wasn’t having the period from hell I’d almost think I was pregnant from how I’ve been feeling the last few days,’ she thought to herself wryly. ‘Thank goodness I’m going to get this rotten IUD removed soon. I will
not
miss these horrid cycles!’
Still, even though she was feeling much better, she was glad Ian had arranged for Simon to drive her to and from the campus, since she continued to feel a little light-headed and wouldn’t have felt comfortable behind the wheel of a car right now. The orientation for her online classes lasted several hours, after which she ventured into the campus bookstore to buy the materials she’d need for the four classes she’d be taking this fall.
She hadn’t been thrilled to learn that one of the required courses towards her business degree was algebra, a subject she’d struggled with in high school. But Ian had teasingly offered to be her “after-school tutor”, telling her with a snicker that his services came cheap.
“And I accept all forms of payment,” he’d joked. “Missionary, cowgirl, oral. I’m quite flexible, in fact.”
She’d gasped in mock outrage. “I’m not sure I should be listening to this sort of talk. I’m just a naïve little college girl, you know.”
“No so naïve any longer, love,” he’d whispered in her ear. “And speaking of lessons, I have a few new ones I’d be very interested in teaching you sometime soon.”
Tessa couldn’t help smiling to herself as she recalled how that particular conversation had ended, and was still grinning as her phone rang. Hoping that it would be Ian, she dug the phone out of her purse while juggling an armload of heavy textbooks. When she saw it was Julia calling instead, she couldn’t help but feel a bit disappointed.
“Hi, there, newlywed,” she greeted, forcing herself to sound cheerful.
Julia’s bright laughter on the other end immediately made Tessa feel better. “Well, happy to report that the honeymoon isn’t over yet. In fact - mmm, never mind. I get annoyed with Nathan when he talks to his friends about, uh, stuff we do so I guess I shouldn’t over-share, either.”
“Probably not,” teased Tessa. “Though I do appreciate some of the tips you’ve given me. Ian does, too.”
Julia snickered. “And I always appreciate getting flowers, so maybe I’ll think of some more naughty advice to pass along. But I really called to see if you wanted to meet for lunch tomorrow. I walked by our favorite place yesterday and get this - they now have salted caramel cheesecake on the menu. I mean, how can anyone say no to that - right?”
Tessa agreed it sounded out of this world and arranged to meet Julia there at one o’clock the next day. They chatted until it was Tessa’s turn in line to pay for her books.
As she walked to the spot where Simon would be waiting to pick her up, she checked her phone yet again and couldn’t help the disappointment she felt when there were no new texts or voice mails from Ian. She’d spoken to him only sparingly since he’d left yesterday morning, the situation in Las Vegas evidently much more complicated than he’d first hoped. They had talked very briefly this morning, but as yet he hadn’t replied to the three different texts she’d sent him. Tessa consoled herself with the fact that he was super busy, and wasn’t intentionally neglecting her. And since the very last thing she wanted to do was act like a demanding girlfriend, she put her phone away and resolved to wait patiently for his call.
But the call didn’t come until much later that evening, and Ian sounded so worn out and stressed that she didn’t have the heart to keep him on the line for too long.
“And I’m so sorry, love, but I’m afraid this is going to take a bit longer than I’d hoped,” he told her regretfully. “It’s likely going to be Friday before I can make it home.”