Johnny wraps an arm around her. “You ready to head home?”
“Yeah. I’m wiped.”
We walk to the desk, finalize the paperwork, and schedule the three-week scan.
Colt drives us back to their place. “I can’t believe it’s done,” he says in awe. “Just like that, you’re knocked up.”
“Yup. Just like that,” Anna says with a grin.
It feels surreal. We didn’t have to do much today—just show up—but somehow, in nine months, we’ll have two little people to call ours. That thought alone fills me with quiet wonder.
We stay long enough for a celebratory meal, but Anna’s fading fast, so we leave her to rest.
We’ve had a lot of celebrations lately.
But when you’re creating life?
That’s worth celebrating.
Three Weeks Later
We’re back at the clinic, and my excitement is through the roof. All four of us are acting like giddy teenagers. Anna’s convinced she’s pregnant and says she knows something’s going on in her body. She even wanted to take a test on her own, but we convinced her to wait. We all want to hear it from Dr. Doherty. Together.
She had her blood drawn earlier, and now we’re waiting on the results. Anna and I are chatting about baby names and nursery themes while the guys sit back watching sports on the waiting room television like they’re not about to find out the biggest news of our lives.
“Colt, we’re ready for you if you’d like to come through,” the nurse says sweetly, batting her lashes at my husband like she’s auditioning for a low-budget medical drama.
Seriously? Have some dignity.
He’s here to find out if he’s having a baby with his wife, not to flirt with you while you play nurse Barbie. I roll my eyes so hard they practically spin out of my head.
We all stand and follow her down the hall to a consultation room, filled with strange machines I don’t recognize. Sterile, clinical, but right now, it might as well be a temple. My heart is pounding with every step.
“Dr. Doherty will be with you shortly,” the nurse says, still eyeing Colt like he’s dessert. He doesn’t even notice, bless him.
But I do.
“Thanks,” I reply flatly, narrowing my eyes at her. She catches my death glare, turns a shade paler, and scurries off like she’s just remembered she left her shame at the front desk.
Anna bursts out laughing. “Jesus, Dee, could you have stared the poor girl down any harder?”
Colt gives me that confused puppy look, eyebrows knit. “What?”
“She was totally ogling you, and I just thought she needed a reminder that you’reverytaken.”
“What?” he repeats, baffled.
“Oh, never mind,” I mutter, waving it off.
“Wait! Were you jealous of the nurse?” Colt asks as Johnny grins cheekily.
“No!” I snap, too quickly.
“C’mere, baby,” Colt says with a laugh, pulling me into his arms. “I love it when you get all jealous.”
I giggle against his chest, and even Anna and Johnny chuckle, shaking their heads at us. The laughter dies down when Dr. Doherty enters the room, a warm smile on his face.
Colt releases me, and we all take our seats, suddenly quiet.
