‘I love you more.’ He presses a kiss to my temple, and we sit in comfortable silence until the receptionist calls my name. My breath catches as I stand.
Cole threads our fingers together. ‘Let’s go meet our baby.’
We head into Dr Kensington’s office along the corridor. I’m familiar with it from my previous appointment. The room is warm, softly lit, and immaculately designed—the ultrasound machine has been tucked discreetly behind a frosted glass divider, so the room feels more like a spa, rather than a medical facility.
Dr Kensington greets us with a calm, elegant professionalism she always has. ‘Zara, lovely to see you again.’ Her eyes flick to Cole.
‘This is Cole Hartmann, my…’ Boyfriend sounds childish. Manfriend sounds weird. Partner makes me feel like we’re discussing business. The wordeverythingis the most appropriate but feels a bit personal to blurt out in her office.
‘You must be Dad.’ She extends a hand. The flicker in her irises assures me she recognises his surname from every financial newspaper on earth, but she’s tactful enough not to comment.
‘Nice to meet you,’ he says, shaking her hand with his usual distinct, disarming charm that could probably broker peace treaties as well as melt every piece of lingerie in the city.
She turns her attention back to me. ‘How have you been since I last saw you?’
‘Good, thanks.’ My eyes drift to Cole. ‘Better.’
Last time I was in here, I was a hot fucking mess after breaking the news to my family that I was pregnant.
‘Happy to hear it.’ She offers a knowing smile and gestures towards the examination bed. ‘Hop up and we’ll have a look at you.’
I lie back as Cole settles in beside me, his large hand engulfing mine. My heartbeat pounds loudly in my ears.
‘We’ll start with the standard twenty-week checks,’ Dr Kensington says, reaching for the ultrasound machine. ‘Heartbeat, organs, measurements… and then, if you’d like, we can find out the sex.’
‘Yes,’ Cole says instantly.
She arches a mild eyebrow. ‘We’ll ask the mother.’
I snort.
Cole looks adorably chastised.
‘Yes,’ I say. ‘But I’m pretty sure I already know. His kicks are so strong. He’s a little fighter already. I think it’s a boy.’
The doctor smiles but says nothing as she squeezes warm gel onto my stomach. Cole flinches like she’s just poured acid on me.
Then, the wand touches my skin, the screen flickers?—
And there he is on the screen.
Our baby.
A perfect little promise of legs and arms floating on a black-and-white background.
My throat tightens. Cole inhales sharply. His hand squeezes mine almost tight enough to bruise. He catches himself and loosens his grip, shooting an apologetic smile my way.
I fire him a conspiratory wink. His excitement is infectious.
‘The heartbeat is strong,’ Dr Kensington says, clicking through images slowly. ‘The spine looks great. Brain development is perfect. Kidneys functioning. Diaphragm intact. All measurements are on track.’
Cole presses a trembling kiss to the crown of my head.
He’s silent, but emotion radiates off in waves.
‘Would you like to know the sex now?’ she asks.
‘I already know,’ I say confidently.
