After concluding his dog business behind the building and running off some energy, they loaded Knox into the Subaru, securing a net barrier between the hatchback and the backseat

"This won't work for long. In a couple of months, it will be too hot for him in the car, even for a few minutes. We'll have to leave him at home when we go out," Madelyn lamented.

"Don't worry, I can put up a run down here behind Next and another at the house. Once he's fully settled he'll be fine going back and forth between home and Next. Between the two of us, he won't be on his own often."

"Aside from feeling like a bad dog parent, I don't want to leave him alone long because I'm betting those puppy teeth could do serious damage when no one is looking."

"Leaving him at home defeats the purpose of his protection anyway," Harry said as they slid into the car and buckled up.

"He did a good job holding his own with Jack. Don't you think so?" She didn't want to make more of the run-in with her ex than necessary, though it had been disconcerting.

"About that. I think we should go back to your attorney and see about moving forward on a restraining order." He had held his cool, admirably, in Harry's opinion, but enough was enough. "Can you say something, Madelyn?"

"I don't know what to do. In my experience with Jack, it's always been dangerous to poke the bear. He used to get angry whenever he was called out or it was suggested he had made a mistake. Since the divorce, I've tried to be clear about boundaries. Any wavering on my part could make him think I regret my decision to have left. So would a restraining order more strongly define the boundary and keep him in line, or be like setting a match on dry tinder?"

"Mads, he grabbed you in a public place- your place of employment, right in front of me and a couple of dozen witnesses." Harry sighed as he drove them closer to the medical complex. "He shrank away from Knox, who isn't even fully grown. You walked off on him and I reminded him of his non-existent place in your life. I'd say the bear has been poked. At least with a restraining order, you can legally force him to stay out of your space."

"You're probably right," she sighed. "Dr. Binder's office is there on the right. By the time we're finished here, it'll be too late to call the lawyer. I'll send him an email tonight and tell him what happened on campus and ask if he thinks a judge would issue a restraining order under these circumstances."

"It seems like a reasonable request to me. Based on the way he was showing up at your place of employment and your home, the incident at the restaurant when he was verbally abusive and grabby, the way he just happened to appear on the scene of the car wreck and the way he grabbed you on campus yesterday, it seems that he has zero intention of leaving you alone. And it's even possible he had something to do with your car going off the road." Harry was emphatic.

"You don't have to convince me." Madelyn sighed. I feel bad leaving Knox in the car. I don't want him to panic and think we're abandoning him. Do you think he'll be okay, Harry?"

"He's going to be just fine! I've got a couple of chew-toys and some puppy treats for our boy. Why don't you head into the office, I'll give him the goodies and follow you in a few minutes."

"You're the best. I'll meet you upstairs."

The elevator felt a little like a cop out, but Madelyn had been tired lately, so she reasoned a ride was acceptable since she had done a fair bit of walking with Knox throughout the day. The ride from the ground level to the 5th floor was so fast, she felt like her stomach took an extra second to catch up. As she stepped through the office doors, she realized Dr. Binder's practice had grown. Two other doctor's names were now listed on the office door as associates and the waiting room was packed with rounded bellies. She quickly checked in and settled into a chair to fill out the medical history forms handed to her by the receptionist. The room was crowded and too warm because of the number of bodies. The low buzz of chatter was punctuated by dissatisfied squawks of infants and young children who were out of patience for adult business. The headache that had plagued her for weeks was returning.

Madelyn approached the reception desk. "Hi, would you possibly have some cold water and something I could take for a headache?"

"I can definitely give you a water bottle from the refrigerator, Mrs. Conroy, but the doctors don't want us to hand out any medications until they've done their exams. Even over-the-counter meds can be contraindicated during pregnancy," The nurses name tag read, Patrice.

"I hope there isn't any confusion, I'm not pregnant."

"I'll need Dr. Binder to confirm that," said Patrice firmly. "Here's the water, I hope it helps. You shouldn't be waiting too long."

"Thank you for the water," Madelyn held the cold bottle to her forehead, then her right temple. It felt nice and helped her calm down as she returned to her seat. She cracked the seal and gulped the water. Every swallow was an improvement.

"I miss being able to chug water like that," said the very pregnant young woman now seated next to Madelyn, "Now, too much to eat or drink and I feel like I'm going to explode, and I have to pee just looking at a glass of water. I'm Kira, by the way."

"It's nice to meet you, Kira, I'm Madelyn. When is your baby due?" She offered her hand to shake.

Kira gave it a brief squeeze before placing her hand on top of her round belly. "I'm 36 weeks, so he can come any time in the next 4-6 weeks."

"You know you're having a boy? That's so exciting!" Madelyn didn't quite understand why her heart was racing at the idea of a stranger's baby.

"What are you having? Do you know yet? You don't really seem to be showing much yet."

"Oh, I'm not pregnant."

"I'm sorry," Kira said. "I just assumed you were since you're here and you kind of have that walk that says your pelvic joints feel loose or your back hurts."

"Just tired, I'm afraid." Madelyn wished they'd call her name so she could end this awkward conversation.

"Never mind me. This is my fourth baby in 7 years. Sometimes I think I can spot a pregnancy more accurately than a test," Kira laughed. Madelyn didn't.

"Madelyn Conroy," Gratefully, Madelyn jumped up and swiftly made her way to the nurse calling her name.

"Thanks, I'm Madelyn."

"I'm Patrice," the nurse who had given her the water bottle introduced herself. "I'll get your vitals and some information from you, then Dr. Binder will be right in. This is us, just have a seat in here," Patrice held open an exam room door.

"Thank you," Madelyn settled into a plastic seat next to a small desk that hung off the wall. Next to the desk was a sink and countertop with lots of labeled drawers below, and an examining table with stirrups completed the layout. Oh joy.

"Feel like you could use the restroom?" the nurse inquired after completing the pre-exam tasks. "Dr. B will want a pregnancy test before the two of you decide on which birth control would be best."

"I drink a lot of water so peeing is never a problem, but will a test pick up anything from the last 24 hours?"

"A urine test is standard. It's possible the doctor will want a more sensitive blood test, but let's follow protocol and start with this," Patrice handed Madelyn a wide, clear plastic cup with a green screw-top lid and pointed to the restroom. Just slide it through the little door above the sink when you're finished. I'll run the test and have the results to the doctor shortly."