Zach
The doctor’s office is small, but cozy. We’ve been waiting for this day for what feels like an eternity. There’s no denying she’s pregnant anymore. At nineteen weeks, our baby has made a happy home for himself and made it a living hell for Jade to find clothes. She can’t wear her favorite things anymore, but trust me, the black plaid skirt she was in when I picked her up today is stunning.
She’s lying on the table with her gown tucked around her stomach and the a look of worry on her face.
I kiss her forehead. “What are you worried about?”
She closes her eyes and takes a deep breath. “You saw those women out there. I’m huge. What if we’re having twins? I’m barely prepared to be a mother. No way I can do it with two babies.”
Smoothing her hair, I smile. “We choose our favorite and eat the other. That’s how it’s done in the wild, right?”
She gasps with laughter and slaps my arm.
“I’m kidding,” I chuckle. “We’ll handle it. We’ve got this.”
The knock on the door has Jade’s brown eyes wide with panic. The doctor walks in with her snazzy white coat with her wrist jingling from the many bracelets. “Jade. It’s good to see you again.” She flips a few pages on the chart. “You’re coming along perfectly.” As if she just realized I wasn’t a fixture to the room, she sticks her hand out. “I’m Dr. Shultz. You are?”
“Zach Calloway.” I flash my charming smile that slips into a smirk. “The baby daddy.”
She adjusts the monitor and looks to Jade. “Do you want to know the sex of the baby?”
“Yes,” we answer in unison.
The doc goes to work and squirts jelly on Jade’s stomach. Seconds after she places the wand to her skin, a black and white mess appears, but then clears up into a perfect shape of a baby.
I swallow, pride slapping me across my face and swelling in my chest. My throat tightens. That’s my baby…curled up. I smile a little goofy, staring at the screen, fascinated and overwhelmed with joy. Dr. Shultz begins to show us where everything is—the head, pointing out the eyes nose, and mouth. She shows us the arms and fingers, back and spine.
I’m in awe, mindlessly drawing circles on Jade’s shoulder with my thumb. I’m not sure if it’s to comfort her or keep me grounded. I want so badly to look at her and make sure she’s okay, but for the life of me, I can’t find the strength to pull my eyes away from my baby.
“This is a butt cheek.” She uses the pointer to show us. “And this is the other butt cheek.” Oh, the fucking suspense. “Here’s the butt crack.” She moves the arrow again. “And it goes without saying, congratulations. You’ve got a boy.”
Warmth rushes my body as my pride surges. I’m about to burst out my damn seams with happiness. I kiss Jade’s forehead, grinning like a goofy ass buffoon.
The doc chuckles. “I take it you wanted a boy?”
“First,” I nod quickly. “I wanted a boy first. A man of the house to take care of Mom when I’m not there.” And to be the protector of the following siblings. A man. My boy…
“Are you saying I can’t take care of myself?” Jade asks.
I peer down. “Not like a Calloway man.” I wink.
After finishing and cleaning up, I drive Jade back to work. I’m floating, my feet barely able to touch the ground when I pop open the car door. “I’m telling Max.” I squeeze her hand leading her to the entrance.
“Ohh-kay.” The word is drawn out with apprehension.
The dinner crowd has begun to arrive and brings with it a low hum, but not enough to drown out the harmony of the music playing from above. I walk her down the hall, and stop at her office door. “Give me a minute.”
Max’s door is open, as it usually is, and although he’s still pissed at me, I’m excited to tell him. He’s flipping through papers when I enter.
When he notices me, he scowls. “May I help you?”
“I hope so. I wanted to tell you what we’re having,” I state.
There’s conflict boring in his glare. The battle…
I pull out the extra ultrasound picture and hand it to him. “We’re having a boy.” I can’t fight the grin. “And thank fuck for that. A girl would have us all on our knees.”
He’s glancing at the picture, smiling. “Congratulations.”
“He’s healthy. Ten fingers and toes. A strong spine,” I add. “Won’t be long and I’ll have him kicking your ass in foosball.” My words get no response. “Max, I want—”
He rises to his feet. “Thank you for telling me. Have a good day.” His voice shakes trying to keep his temper in check. I open my mouth to say something, but quickly he interrupts. “Have a good day, Zach.” This time his words come out as a threat.
I nod and disappear. Jade springs to her feet, rushing around her desk. “He cracked a smile and then kicked me out of his office. I’d say I’m gaining ground.”
She exhales, pinching the bridge of her nose. “He’s so damn stubborn.”
“It runs in the Lauder blood.” I hook an arm around her waist and pull her against me. “Stay with me tonight. I’ll cook dinner and we can celebrate our boy.”
She bobs her head from shoulder to shoulder. “Can I take a rain check for Saturday? I have to work and you enjoy keeping me up late.”
Discontent, I sigh. “Just move in with me so we don’t have to worry about this shit.”
She kisses my jaw, patting the middle of my chest. “Baby steps, Zach.”
I hum a growl. “I took baby steps to get you to agree to be my girlfriend. Now I’m going to be relentless to get you to move in with me.”
The sweetest gaze peers up to me and silences my brood. “Although you’re adorable when you beg, give it time. Let’s get adjusted first.”
I smirk. “Need me to hit my knees?”
“The answer will still be no, not right now. I’m not saying it won’t ever happen. I’m saying we’ve just begun traveling outside of our boundaries. Let’s make sure it’s stable first.”
My jaw flexes. “You’re impossibly difficult.”
“And you’re incredibly impatient.”
“I’m so damn close, yet so far away,” I grumble and then flash a charming smirk. “Maybe you should hit your knees for a reminder of why you shouldn’t be away from me every night.”
It makes her laugh.
“What? I’m trying every angle to see what works.” I kiss her. “Call me later.”