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to return to work, but I’m still concerned about your weight. You’ve lost too much. In the last two weeks you’ve gained a pound, which is good. But since you’ve been pregnant, you’ve lost twenty, far more than is safe for you to lose and be healthy. I’m keeping you on bed rest until you gain at least five more pounds. I’d really like to see you gain ten.”  He waited expectedly. 
    Gail’s response wasn’t long in coming. “But I can go home, right? I want to go home. I want to be in my own apartment, in my own bed. I can stay off from work for another couple of weeks. That’s no problem. Just let me go home.”
    Dr. Hagan shared a look with Rashid before answering.  “I think it would be better if you remain in the Jabbar’s home, at least until your next visit. You’re already showing signs of improvement just in the short time that you’ve been there.”
    When Gail opened her mouth to argue, he said firmly, “Doctor’s orders. You live alone. At home, you would be tempted to overdo it. At least with Rashid, I know you’re being properly cared for.”  Dr. Hagan paused, allowing Gail the opportunity to respond.  When she remained quiet, he continued.  “You’re scheduled to come back and see me in four weeks. We’ll re-evaluate the situation at that time.”
    When she still didn’t respond, Rashid stood. “Thank you, Dr. Hagan. I’ll make sure that Gail is taken care of. We’ll see you in four weeks.” Rashid shook Dr. Hagan’s hand.
    “See the receptionist on your way out,” he said and left the room.
    As soon as the door closed, Rashid turned to Gail and watched her quietly. When the silence became too much, she glared at him and snapped, “What?”
    “Is it such a trial, living in our home?” he asked quietly.
    Gail took a deep breath and turned her face away until she could compose herself. His calmness made her feel like an unreasonable shrew. “Rashid, I get that this is your child, and you have a vested interest in its development, but your child is in my body. And my body wants to be in its own home, around its own things, sleeping in its own bed,” she finished softly.
    “Come,” he said, holding his hand out to her. “This is better discussed somewhere else. I’m sure they have need of this room.”
    She didn’t want his assistance getting off of the exam table, but to refuse would be churlish. Gail took his hand and allowed Rashid to help her down. She waited while he opened the door for her and then walked through, very aware of Rashid’s presence at her back.
    A quick stop by the receptionist desk and they were heading out the door. A few minutes later, Gail watched as Rashid crossed in front of the Mercedes after seating her inside. He slid smoothly into the car and started the engine. “Where would you like to eat? We can talk over lunch.”
    “It doesn’t matter to me.” She closed her eyes and leaned her head back against the headrest.
    “We’ll go to my club,” he said decisively as he spun out of the parking garage.  “It’s not too far from here and we can speak privately.”
    “Fine,” Gail answered and remained quiet for the rest of the drive. She was bitterly disappointed. The only way she’d been able to manage being away from home was by telling herself it was only for two weeks. She could handle two weeks. Two weeks was a vacation. Something she hadn’t had in a long time. 
    Now Dr. Hagan was talking another month; a month of living in someone else’s home, away from familiar surroundings and familiar things, like the pictures of her family. She couldn’t do it. She wouldn’t do it.
    It was too much to ask of anyone.
     

 
     
     
    Chapter Three
     
     
     
    When they arrived at the club, Rashid told the Maître D that they needed privacy to discuss sensitive business. He took one look at Gail’s tense face and escorted them to a private alcove in the dining facility.
    Rashid kept Gail waiting while they went through the