Eliza's Pov
"Hey new friend, are you still coming for the Barbecue later today?" Ana's voice boomed from over the phone and I was reminded again for the fifth time that Sunday morning that I was in a new place.
"Hello…. I am but I'm going to the clinic first so I will be there a little later, am I safe?" I asked her as I rolled out of bed and stood in front of the princess vanity mirror in my cramped room. Miss Tilly had probably left it there or the former occupants.
"The clinic? Are you unwell?" She asked, I could hear the concern in her tone and it made me smile but it was a forced smile because the image in front of me was causing a scare. I had added at least a pound and my loose nightdress was a little more firm around my bosom.
"Erm, I am. I would tell you how it goes when I am at your place" it was odd how close I had become with her in the last few days, it amused me how I had managed to avoid mentioning the baby growing in me to her.
"Okay then. Make sure you come, I've told the ladies so much about you."
"I can't wait to see them too." I lied, I didn't want to meet any other new person.
"Okay! See you when I do!" She shrieked and hung up.
A knock came at the door followed by the annoying sound of Tilly's voice. I fell back on the bed and wondered when this had become my life.
*********
Nothing was more difficult than finding my way around here, I had walked into a wrong store building twice before, I walked on the wrong side of the road. Crazy things I didn't know existed, I had done all in the week I had been here.
Monte Carlo hospital was as professional as it was aesthetically pleasing. Walking into the hospital had felt like I was walking into my own grave, I was already scared for the rate and wary of destroying something I couldn't repay.
"Good day Ma'am," the nurse at the reception smiled at me and I almost fell for her pretty face and warm smile, I was still going to pay bills either way.
"Good morning, I am here to register for antenatal care. I am not registered under any hospital." I informed her and she beamed.
"Congratulations," she said, the smile still on her face and I watched as she brought out paperwork and handed over two documents to me.
"Thank you," I responded genuinely, beginning to enjoy the feel of unplanned motherhood. I subconsciously rubbed my stomach and didn't feel quite so alone. I had my baby in me.
"You can fill the form and hand it over to the matron at the end of that hall. Her door will be directly in front of you, you won't miss it." The lady assured me, I could see from her name tag that her name was Melissa.
"Thank you Melissa," I replied and surprisingly her smile turned wider, revealing pretty dentitions.
She nodded and I immediately went in search of the matrons office she had described for me but suddenly had the weird urge to pee.
"Excuse me, where is the bathroom?" I asked a man in white overalls and he pointed at the other side of the wide room. There were blue benches placed all over the hall and occupants in every one of them. It was nothing like the private practice I was used to and frequented back in New York.
I took my time going over to the bathroom and when I was in I turned on the faucet allowing the water to pour continually. I rinsed my face with it and wiped it again with my handkerchief.
"This does not have to be hard Eliza." I assured myself and after easing myself, I headed out once again, paperwork in hand.
"Darn it!" The man cussed as I came out of the bathroom and came in contact with a hard, warm body.
"Oh my goodness I'm so sorry." I said as the contents of my bag spilled to the ground, my credit card and emergency makeup kit together with the form the matron asked me to sign all splattered on the ground.
"It wouldn't hurt the baby if you look where you're going" I heard him say but I didn't bother to look at him.
I bent down to pick it up but he was faster, he packed it all in a Heartbeat and then he was standing in his full glory, this time I saw him clearly and I had to admit, amidst my anger, he was not at all bad looking.
His voice sounded much like how he looked, rich, brusque and attractive.
"You didn't just drop your bag, your mouth is hanging loose too." He whispered and immediately I gathered my senses and shamelessly shut my mouth.
"Oh please. Can I have my bag?" I asked him, my brows furrowing, I was impatient and hated that I had allowed my visible awe of him to show.
Darn you Eliza! Lincoln still exists!
"Yeah sure, it's not particularly to my taste." He joked and on a good day, I would have found that humorous but he had already riled me up. "I'm Malcolm." He added and for a split second I thought of how well the name suited him.
"Well Malcolm, I'm late for my appointment." I grounded and made to leave, just then the nurse who had been at the reception came closer to me and raised a brow in question. "Are you Miss Eliza?" She asked me and I wanted to punch her for giving this annoying man the opportunity of knowing my name.
"Yes I am," I answered through clenched teeth, she flashed her smile again but this time it was very annoying to me.
"The Matron has asked for you to go in now." She said, and turned to look at the man still standing next to me.
"Hello Malcolm! Emily is waiting for you at the reception" Melissa was saying as I clutched my bag tighter over my shoulder, a little sad that the distraction that was the handsome stranger was now gone.
"Eliza is a pretty name, you shouldn't be embarrassed of it" his voice boomed again and i turned to see him walking behind me, he winked at me as I continued on. Careful what you wish for.
"I'll see you around." He said again and I had this distinct feeling that he was really going to see me around.
"Bye Malcolm" I murmured and entered the office.