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Paulito.
    Things had to work out. Dios , he would transform himself into a dedicated, loving father and raise Paulito the way Carlos would have wanted. No matter what it took.        

 
     
     
     
    CHAPTER FOUR
    On her way to the fellows’ office, Holly realized she’d forgotten to tell Marc that Paulito’s fever had dropped. She strode back down the hallway and took the elevator to the seventh floor where the attending physicians had their offices.
    She knocked on Marc’s door, a shy tapping she hardly heard herself. Why hesitate? She only wanted to reassure him about his nephew, but coming twice to his office within a few hours was too much. Especially after she’d tried to quarantine herself from him for five long weeks.
    And now she was seeking him.
    Professionally. Only professionally.
    She sucked in a deep breath and fisted her hand to knock again. The door opened before her knuckles connected with the wood.
    “Holly? Come in.”
    “I just wanted to tell you Paulito’s fever has dropped.” She delivered her message in a quick, steady voice from the threshold, without looking at him. Rooted to the floor, she debated whether to enter or not.
     “Good. I’m glad he’s already started to improve. I was about to go to the NICU to give you some papers concerning the baby. The birth certificate and a power of attorney. Just in case. Please, have a seat.”
    He was calm, controlled just as she expected he’d be. She relaxed, followed him inside and slipped into the only chair in the small room. He sifted through the papers strewn across his desk then tucked some sheets into a folder and handed it to her.
    “I’ll keep them in a safe place.” She nodded, pleased that he finally sought her help in a tangible way.
    “Holly, is the baby going to be too much work? Additional responsibilities?”
    She shrugged. Since when did she worry about responsibility or work? She was used to tackling heavy workloads. “I can handle it.”
    “Thank you. I’ll call often to check if you need anything.”
    She froze, suddenly aware this baby would create an unwelcome bond between her and his uncle. “Uh-ho...No need. It’s expensive all the way from Puerto Rico to here.”
    “Still.” He perched a hip on his desk and leaned forward. His dark eyes bored into her, questioning. “I wonder...I haven’t seen much of you outside the OR since I came back to WCH?”
    So, he’d noticed she’d been avoiding him. She tensed and tilted her chin up. “I was swamped, you know, OR, night shifts, my studies.”
    He frowned. “I wouldn’t want to burden you with the extra charge of the baby.”
    She was making a fine mess with her excuses. “It’s only for a couple of weeks.”
    “Are you sure? You never seem to be around at hospital gatherings.” He arched an eyebrow, telling her in no uncertain terms that he’d drill the truth out of her. “How long do you have left on your fellowship?”
    Ah, the Board of Neonatology .
    The most important goal of her life. She’d almost forgotten about it in the last twenty-four hours. “Just one year. I’ll take my exams next April, and then—”
    “The sky’s the limit. I’ve been there. I can still remember the impatience of the final months before getting my specialization license. I’ll help you.” His stern attitude relaxed as he reached down and squeezed her hand.
    “Thanks.” Heat radiated to her throat. He’d help ? Or...distract ? She’d rather not tempt fate. She pulled her hand away and realized she’d never had a chance to ask why he came back to D.C. “How come you’re here? Working in sunny Puerto Rico didn’t agree with you?”
    “I enjoyed San Juan for a while.”
    “Don’t tell me you got fed up with swimming in the Caribbean Sea?” She couldn’t suppress a lopsided grin.
    “Of course not. I didn’t have time for the beach. Too many responsibilities at home.”
    She frowned, taken aback by his snort.
     “There aren’t enough doctors in