They decided it would be better to have a surprise rather than going through the regular scans and finding out the gender right away. When it came to the twelve-week check, Hannah had covered her eyes, the incredible ring he had given her still weighing heavy below her knuckle, and made Scott look away from the screen. She knew he was desperate to know one way or the other, but she was determined they had to wait. It would make the day so much more special, and even though it was hard as hell not knowing whether to buy pink or blue paint, they kept their word to one another.

It would be a surprise on the day and not a moment sooner.

Hannah’s tummy was swollen and growing more and more each day, and Scott rose to the challenge of being the protective and doting father. It was wonderful having him around the house more, and it felt even better when they started to look at nurseries.

“Shall we have one in both apartments?” he’d asked her as they walked around the baby store looking at options, and Hannah had shrugged her shoulders.

“Well, I guess that’s up to you,” she said as they stopped by a selection of cribs, matching wardrobes, and drawers with a changing top. “I mean, obviously, I’m going to be doing up one of my spare rooms. But we can keep it all contained there if it’s easier.”

Scott seemed to think on it for a moment, and then he smiled and took hold of her hand.

“Well, how about we just move everything into my place?” he asked cautiously. “I mean, it’s the bigger apartment… I have three spare rooms. It’s only me, and there’s plenty of room for two more…”

Hannah turned and looked up at him.

She felt like the luckiest girl in the world. Not only had she smashed her career, she also had a baby on the way with the most incredible man, who only seemed to want to commit to her more and more.

“Are you serious?” she asked him with wide eyes.

Scott took hold of her hand and placed a gentle kiss on the top of it before he looked deeply into her eyes.

“I’ve never been more serious about anything in my entire life,” he said as he traced a finger down the side of her face. “You’re my woman, my rock… and you’re about to give me the most incredible and special gift anyone could ever ask for.”

Hannah’s breath caught in her throat.

They had gone into this as strangers who had driven each other crazy, and they were coming out of it as two people who had fallen madly in love.

“I’m always going to be there, for both of you,” he said with a smile. “And I want you there with me too.”

Hannah’s heart pounded again.

“Let’s do this properly,” he said to her as he wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close to him, being careful not to squash her growing baby bump.

“Okay,” she whispered, and she leaned in for a kiss.

As they held each other there in the baby store, Hannah knew she had come full circle and finally found what she had never known she was looking for.

When she had begun her journey on the road to motherhood, she had been more than prepared to go it alone. But now she felt so blessed to have found Scott, and to have begun their real lives together.

Together, there was nothing they couldn’t do. They were a powerhouse and a dynasty in the making. A real original city family who were going to continue to thrive.

“I love you both,” Scott whispered as he wrapped his hand in hers and with the other he rested it on top of her belly.

They had found each other in the craziest of ways, and even with the odds stacked against them, they had bonded and thrived.

“And I love you too,” she smiled as she looked into her man’s eyes.

Scott turned and nodded toward one of the cribs; it was white and plush inside. Gender neutral but the height of luxury.

“What do you think then?” he asked as he ran his hand over the top of it. “Are we settling on this one?”

Hannah looked up at him and smiled.

“I think so,” she said. “And yes, get it delivered to yours.”

She leaned into his shoulder and he kissed her on the top of the head. A whole new world was beginning for them both, and they were going to be there for each other to guide them on their way.

As it turned out, business hadn’t just turned into pleasure… now, it had turned into family.

 

 

 

THE END