Zenith Rising Read Online Free Page A

out, and hormonal. She wanted a baby so much, she couldn’t
breathe sometimes when she held her newest delivery.
    It was probably why she continued to date
Nick long after she realized they weren’t really in love. She just
wanted to find a man to marry. She wanted to have what Joelle and
Nick had: the marriage, the family, and the baby.
    Fearing it might not happen, she was getting
exhausted from dating guys whom she couldn’t quite imagine spending
all her time with, let alone, sharing the rest of her life. She was
tired of something always missing, yet she could never define quite
what that thing was. Even Roy Bennett, a successful, handsome,
well-off, interesting, well traveled associate, even in him she
found fault. He was a little too egotistical, and a little too
demanding of her time and attention. There was always something,
some reason she found not to like any male prospect quite
enough.
    She poured her heart and soul into becoming a
doctor, and building up her practice and reputation. She was
dedicated to her patients and loved her career. With a passion that
prevented her from finding it anywhere else in her life, she
accepted her career as the embodiment of her life. All of her
ambition, her energy, and her motivation went into being a great
doctor. What more could she have left over for a husband and kids?
She was so busy. So in demand. What man could ever understand that?
Unless maybe, it was another doctor like Roy.
    Erica raised her lips off the infant’s bald
head and found Spencer looking right at her. He was watching her
with the baby. He must have seen her shut her eyes with longing,
and bittersweet pain. Embarrassed, Erica turned and lay the baby
back in the bassinet. She finished updating Joelle’s chart as she
listened with half an ear to Joelle talking about Trina, Nick’s
youngest sister. Trina previously hated Joelle, but seemed to have
warmed up a little today. Like she might have been getting
convinced that Joelle was now a permanent part of Nick’s life.
    Just then, the lactation consultant came in,
asking to meet with Nick and Joelle. Erica finished up, and turned
to exit. Spencer was leaving too.
    “Please don’t leave yet,” Joelle said, her
fear of the coming night, and the next eighteen years, showing in
her eyes.
    Erica and Spencer waited outside in the
corridor together. After a few moments, he glanced at her. “So,
what is a lactation consultant?”
    Erica was startled out of her reverie by
Spencer’s voice, but his question made her smile. “Someone to help
with breast feeding. There’re numerous factors that can impede its
success.”
    “Oh.” He was sorry now that he asked.
    Finally, Nick stepped out of the room. He
glanced around, found Erica and came towards her, his face
scrunched in worry.
    “What’s wrong?” Erica asked, immediately
pushing away from the wall.
    “She’s upset. I don’t know what to do.”
    “Who’s upset? Joelle?” Erica didn’t wait for
an answer. She pushed past Nick, and found Dorothy Zimmer standing
near Joelle, the baby on Joelle’s bare breast.
    “What’s going on?” Erica asked in a clipped
tone.
    “She almost has this. The baby’s being a
little difficult. We just need her to get latched on and I’m sure
Joelle will see this is the best way to feed her baby.”
    Erica sighed. Once in awhile, she ran across
this. Women who couldn’t or wouldn’t nurse, while other people did
not respect the mother’s decision. It rarely involved the lactation
consultants. They were usually respectful and a wonderful
resource.
    “Dorothy, I believe Joelle already indicated
she intends to bottle feed.”
    “What I just realized, however, is that she
didn’t have all the right facts to make the correct decision for
her baby.”
    “Then realize this: I’m her doctor and I have
given her all the right facts. She feels she can’t handle breast
feeding. I appreciate your concern for Joelle, but I’ll handle it
from here.”
    “But