I freaking hated doctor offices. They were cold, sick people all around, mean ass nurses giving out orders and doctors who thought they were gods.

"Turn left in 500 feet," the female voice of my GPS said who was named Alice. Okay sue me, didn't everyone name their GPS voice?

I made my turn and Alice said I had another five miles to go. My stomach was starting to flip and a pain hit me causing my hands to grip the steering wheel. My nerves were on high alert, I would almost be at the moment of truth. I tried calling Lizzy again but it went straight to voicemail.

I was so pissed at myself I wanted to scream. My phone rang and looking at the name on the console it was my mother. It was no way I could talk to her right now. She wasn't the one for encouraging words and if I told her what was going on, I would never hear the end of why did you do it? I let it go to voicemail because it wasn't the time to get me angrier.

"You are now at your destination," Alice said.

The tall multi-level building was perfectly landscaped and literally only a few feet from the hospital. Huge picturesque windows with tinted glass elevators went up and down. The sign read The Center for Women's Health. I looked down at my text from Shae and she would be on the third floor waiting area. I got out my car since it was late and there were only a few cars still around. I pressed my car alarm and headed inside.

A security guard stopped me. "Sir may I help you?"

"I am meeting my...actually I'm meeting..."

"He's meeting me," Shae said walking up next to me. She seemed a little tense and aggravated.

She gave the guard her appointment card and he confirmed her scheduled time. He handed her the card back and gave us instructions to the physician's tower. I followed close behind her and we entered the elevator.

"I'm glad you came Sean. I was worried you wouldn't."

"I'm ten minutes early."

"You just seemed so curt on the phone this morning."

"I have a lot on my mind."

"Understandable. Fan Day is coming up and you have your first preseason game the following weekend along with a baby on the way."

"True but the baby part hasn't been proven yet."

"Sean I'm not lying. I am. I've had morning sickness for the last couple of weeks. I feel that once you realize and accept reality that I'm pregnant, I think things between us will change for the better unless you want me to get an abortion?"

"I don't believe in them."

I could see relief washed over her. She wiped the tear away.

"That's good to know."

The elevator doors opened and we walked through a huge empty waiting room. One lady sat at the desk typing on a computer and another one was filing. Shae walked up to the front counter and I took a seat. I reviewed the questions I was suppose to ask and made sure I memorized them.

I saw her signing in and she came back and sat next to me. "They say we should be able to go back in a few minutes." I looked at her and grabbed a magazine.

She just stared at me for a moment and turned her head. I heard the beep of her phone going off alerting of a text message. She glanced at it and a smile crossed her face.

"The real baby daddy must have texted you," I said sarcastically.

"Why would he do that when he's sitting right next to me? You do know they offer DNA test right? Maybe you need to get one?"

"That's not a bad idea."

I could tell she was getting pissed. I flipped through the magazine to see Lizzy and I's pictures from the photoshoot. I couldn't help the smile that came across my face. She looked gorgeous and with us holding hands we looked like the perfect couple. I must have stared at the picture for too long as I didn't hear the nurse calling us back.

"Sean its time to go," Shae said sounding irritated.

I followed she and the nurse through the long narrowing hallway and we stopped at Room 3. We walked in and I took a seat. I turned on my phone and selected video pretending that I was typing on it.

The nurse took her vitals, a vile of blood and asked her to take a urine sample.

"Can I go?"

The nurse looked at me as if I had grown two heads. The expression she gave me was hell to da naw.

"We don't allow that sir."

"Sean?" Shae asked looking appalled.

"How do I know this is not a set up?"

"Sir this is one of the best practices in the state. We pride ourselves on doing everything by the book. We cater to patients and we uphold ethical standards. This is not a shade tree operation."

"Look lady, I am a professional football player and I don't have time or the energy to play games with you or her. I want to go in when she does it."

"That's not even sanitary Sean."

"What's not sanitary is you trying to trick me."

"Fine if he wants to follow me in then let him," Shae told the nurse.

"That's not normal procedure, Miss Waters. If he is badgering you, I can call security."

"Miss please. My boyfriend is under a lot of stress."

"I'm not your boy..."

"Look Miss. Please just give us a minute." The nurse nodded and stood to the side.

"Maybe you should get some fresh air. I won't have the doctor start until you get back."

"Maybe you're right but not until I watch you."

"Fine."

She walked in the restroom and I watched. I couldn't believed I'd stooped so low. She finished her business and sat the sample on the countertop. She washed her hands and we were back in the exam room. The nurse took the sample and walked out shaking her head.

"You look pale. There is a water cooler outside the door. I promise I will have the doctor wait for you before he gives me an examination."

I walked out the room and leaned against the door. I pulled out my phone and called Jarreau. I convinced him to meet me at the clinic. Hanging up with him I walked up to the nurses station.

"May I help you sir?"

"Yes. My girl...I mean my girlfriend, Shaunte Waters said I needed to sign some papers for her medical records if she is unable to. Since she doesn't have any family she wanted me to be able to work with the doctor regarding important treatments, etc."

"You need to sign the release of information form?"

"Yes that's it. She and the doctor was trying to explain it, but this medical stuff is so over my head."

She grabbed Shae's file looking for the document. "Oh she must have forgotten to take the pink copy. Once you sign it, can you give her the pink copy for her records?"

"Yes no problem, thank you." I signed the form and took the pink copy. I looked at my watch. Jarreau should be pulling up at anytime. Looking up, there he was. A sigh of relief came over me.

"How did they let you up?"

"The security guard Frank and I use to play little league together. I told him I was here to do a DNA test. I didn't have an appointment but I bribed him with two 50yard line tickets waiting at will call, so I need you to ass up some tickets."

"Fine, I'll call Jackie."

"So why am I here?"

"I'm about to go in with Shae."

"And?"

"I'm going to ask the doctor for a test on the baby. What I need you to do is get the sample."

"Why me?"

"Because the women love you and if you get caught, you can flash that smile that cause women to blush."

"Actually it's a panty dropper gleam. Since you appreciate a bruth's attributes, fine I will do it."

"The lab is to your left. They took a blood and urine sample. I need you to get the blood sample at least. Lizzy said I needed to get some chromosome test done too but I have to wait until the doctor does it. I will text you when it's done so you can get the sample. Just use your charming personality, man I need you to come through for me."

"I gotcha."

I patted him on the back and walked back through the main door and back to exam room 3. Shae had taken off her clothes and was wearing a gown along with a sheet wrapped around her waist.

"Feeling a little better?"

"Kind of. Look I told my mom about this."

"Sean, I thought you were keeping this quiet for now."

"She has some concerns."

"Like what?"

"Two of her sisters have had children that had birth defects."

"What does that have to do with this? she asked confused.

"Abnormalities run in my family. If this is my baby, I would want to know."

"Nothing is wrong with this child."

"How do you know for sure?"

"You're in great physical condition and I'm young so this should be a perfectly healthy baby."

"I would feel better if you ask the doctor to do a test. I'll pay for it and it would get my mother off my ass. You know how she can be."

She took a deep breath pondering over it.

"Shae I don't ask for much please. I'm sure you want a healthy baby too."

"I just don't see why..."

"Please Shae. I'm begging you."

"Well since I'm a sucker for those puppy dog eyes then yes but on one condition."

"What is that?"

"You make love to me tonight. No ands if buts about it."

I wanted to puke, but I managed to hold it in. My skin started to itch. Lord why you have to do this to me?

"Okay." It felt like my tongue was on fire and ready to explode. The Devil was a liar.

She smiled knowing she was getting what she wanted. The doctor walked in. He was a tall caucasian male with salt and pepper hair. His name tag read Kevin Lewis, MD, FACHE, Chief and UCLA Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecology.

"Ms. Waters how are you? I finally get to meet you. Your regular OB hated to lose you as a patient but I told him you would be in good hands. AB and I go way back. You must be the father, I'm Dr. Kevin Lewis." He reached over with his hand extended ready for me to shake it. I did and quickly put my hand in my pocket.

"Sean Gipson."

"I know exactly who you are, I have money on your team going back to the Super Bowl and winning this year."

"Thanks. My agent Michael King recommended you. He says you are the best. Can you tell me if she is really pregnant?"

"Tell Michael I owe him a beer for the kind words. After the blood work and urine sample Shaunte gave us, she is pregnant."

My heart was now between my feet. He had indeed confirmed her pregnancy and I had to grab on to the bed to keep from falling.

"Let's take a look and see how far along you are," he said washing his hands and putting gloves on. He turned on the monitor and call the nurse in. A black lady with a bun came in and help set up the machinery. He whispered something to her and she nodded.

"Doctor before you start, Sean has some concerns."

"Okay go ahead."

"After speaking to my mother and having first cousins born with birth defects, I would like to know the risk."

"You two are young and I think this pregnancy should be fine."

"Please doctor I will pay for it. It's more for my mother than for me. If it's proven this child is mine, I will love it regardless."

"Let me see how far along she is and I can decide if we will be able to do the procedure. Most of the time I would have you talk to a genetic counselor to make this decision as there could be a higher risk with miscarriage."

"Okay."

Shae looked worried.

The doctor took a seat on the stool and raised up the blanket. "The gel maybe a little cold but it should warm up in a minute."

As soon as he put the gel on she shivered. Placing the doppler on her stomach she seemed very uncomfortable.

"Everything will be fine," he said smiling at her. He patted her hand and then clicked a remote to dim the lights. The monitor popped on and gray matter appeared on the screen.

"Maybe the baby is too little to see," Shae said with wondering eyes. Oh yes she was nervous and starting to fidget something just didn't feel right.

"I...," she started to say until...

I heard a faint noise.

"There we go," he said moving the doppler around. There was a tiny spot on the screen and a little movement.

Shae looked surprised. Her attention was glued to the screen. I wasn't sure if it was panic of the realization that she was indeed carrying a child or that I couldn't believe she had ruined my life. I watched her trying to figure out what truly made me want to be with her. All my senses were telling me this was a dream but reality was staring back at me.

Lizzy. She invaded my thoughts. The promise of her me I together we slowly fading away. The only woman I've truly loved was going to be not only disappointed but devastated even more. I was pushing her into Aries arms and ammunition his sickening feeling of loss was taking over.

"See there's your baby. There's the head, he or she is about a size of a fig. I can estimate that you are about eleven weeks."

I looked at the spot on the screen. This was freaking real. I wanted to run as far away as I could but my feet seem to be stuck. The only thing I could do was watch.

"We are looking at a spring baby. Unfortunately at this time we are unable to do any testing. That is normally done starting at thirteen weeks. Maybe at the next appointment we can do it. My nurse can give you the information. You and Shae would need to discuss the options. Like I said before their are risks and I want to make sure you are both educated on those.

"Okay sure. Doctor I insist on getting it done at the next visit. My mother will not let this test until it's done."

"I can understand. First grandchild?"

"Yes sir."

"Perfectly understandable. We can also do a DNA test then to relax your mind." He wiped off the gel and quickly turned the screen off.

"I've printed some pictures for you and they are in the other room. I will also have these saved on a jumpdrive as a lot of my patients like to print out pictures for family and start their video scrapbooks."

"Thank you so much doctor," Shae said sitting up a little.

"I'm glad I can help. Oh if you don't mind Mr. Gipson I would like to talk to Miss. Shaunte alone. I need to finish her exam. If you don't mind having a seat in my office, there are just a few questions I'm sure she would like to ask me. Some woman get a little embarrassed to ask in front of others isn't that right Shaunte?"

"Yes there are a few questions I wanted to ask."

His nurse came in and escorted me to his office. She left the room and I texted Jarreau that he could leave but I needed that blood sample. I also videoed the doctor's office. Everything seemed legit. Shit she was pregnant for real. This just couldn't be happening. I would be leaving here empty handed. I just knew he was going to tell me she wasn't pregnant.

I sat down and waited pissed off at myself. I had totally messed up and I needed to find a way out.

Dr. Lewis closed the door and pulled up a seat next to me.

"Where is Ausef? He is supposed to be my doctor."

"Ausef had to leave town unexpectedly."

"Couldn't have!"

"But he has, along with your little teenage lackey and your money."

"Impossible!"

"Nothing is impossible, my dear."

"How did you even know..."

He laughed. "Michael takes his job very seriously. He's been having you followed since you left his office weeks ago and before. Do you really think he wouldn't control you especially with his highest paid client? Good thing you only gave Ausef ten thousand dollars. How were you going to get the other one hundred and ninety thousand dollars you owed him? As I see it you have already borrowed from your gold-digging expenses."

"I'm calling Michael." I jumped off the exam table and grabbed my phone. I dialed Michael but he didn't answer. He sat back and folded his arms as if he was bored with this entire conversation.

"Are you even a real doctor?"

"If you must know I am. I am board certified in obstetrics/gynecology and maternal fetal with a medical genetics concentration from John Hopkins University. I am the best in the field and usually I don't do side deals but Michael is family."

"What do you stand to gain from this and how did you make this big showcase with the heartbeat and monitor? I'm not pregnant."

"That is for sure. I stand to make a lot you see. I have investments with ProTech and Lister. I need Sean to endorse them and in return I will be your physician and will provide you with a child at the end of your pregnancy. Michael told me you wanted to live the life of a professional baller's wife. He said you like the finer things in life. As far as the theatrics let me worry about that. Like I said before I'm good at what I do."

"This is crazy. I don't even trust you."

"Trust me or not we will be working together or I just might have to share a little knowledge I have."

"You have nothing on me."

He laughed and flipped on the television above the monitor. There I was with Ausef on the screen tied up to the exam table where we were having sex. The date stamp was at the bottom of the video. He fast forwarded where that hoe that I had taken in was working with Ausef. It seems the day she met him, they were having sex on my got damn sofa. The nerve of them! More scenes of K'lisha and me talking on various days and also her packing up her stuff minutes after I left today along with Ausef helping her. I was ready to blow a gasket!

"Would you like to see more? I have a whole collection with you and running back Terry Washington doing cocaine and you spiking his drinks. I have you and Lance Thomas, having an orgy and best of all evidence of the night you stabbed cornerback, James Silt at Club Dark Side. I have an entire box collection of your extracurricular activities with receipts, videos and pictures."

"Screw you!"

"From what I've heard, you're pretty good, but I don't do trash. Nothing but the best for my soldier."

I slapped him. His face turned from the friction and the next thing I knew he had me pinned to the wall with his hand around my neck. I tried wiggling out but it felt like cold steel.

"You have three options. You can be a pregnant woman living a fabulous life with an adorable baby as long as you get those contracts signed or you will miscarry leaving you with nothing and serving time."

"You said three... options."

"Since you've asked, I will destroy you. Remember you asked Ausef about the baby mills? You will actually get to experience it first hand," he said with a demonic look on his face.

"Destroy me. You are just as dirty... as I am." I could hardly speak as his grip got tighter.

"The difference between me and you, is that I have a whole lot of cash, resources and contacts, what do you have? Oh that's right...nothing."

"You have...no idea what... I have." I was losing my breath.

"If I'm not mistaken, Michael basically owns you and I own him. You see I own his management company and everyone he represents. He's paying for everything, he giveth it and I can taketh it away in a blink of an eye. You work for us and you need not forget it. It would be in your best interest to get the contracts signed."

"I will walk away....No one owns me. I will conf...ess and tell Sean and whoever else...that...will listen...to meeee."

"If you say one word about this I will deny it and I will terminate this little agreement immediately."