I stand to follow the doctor out.
“Where are you going?” Callie asks.
“I figured you’d want privacy.”
Plus I need to take a second to catch my breath before all my insecurity about becoming a father suffocates me. I had a shit role model, so I’ll be learning on the fly. Despite my best intentions, what if I end up making the same drastic mistakes my father did?
“Just turn around.” She hops down from the exam table, and I hear the crinkling of the paper as I turn my back to her.
I’m still very attracted to Callie, so the fact she’s getting naked right behind me is all I can think about. It takes all my self-control not to look over my shoulder.
More paper crinkles, then she says, “You can turn around.”
I circle around as she places her clothes on the chair next to me. And although she’s tucked her underwear under her pants and shirt, a satin piece of purple fabric peeks out, which I’m pretty sure is her panties.
Fuck me. My dick twitches. This is the worst possible time for me to be picturing Callie standing in front of me wearing just those panties.
The doctor knocks, and Callie tells her she’s ready.
Dr. Amato smiles and glances at me, her grin growing wider. She goes over to the sink to wash her hands. “Okay, let’s take a look.”
She gets the stirrups out, and without instructions, Callie seems to know what to do. She slides down the table, and the sheet covers her lower half as Dr. Amato slides her chair between Callie’s legs.
It’s nearly impossible not to envision what’s under that thin piece of paper covering Callie’s lower half. I want to pull it away. Instead, I stuff my hands in the pockets of my jacket, clenching them and trying to appear as though my mouth isn’t watering from thinking about touching Callie, tasting her.
“Because it’s so early in the pregnancy, we’re going to have to do a vaginal ultrasound.” Dr. Amato puts on a new set of gloves, gets the machine ready, and puts a condom-looking thing over a dick-looking thing, and it disappears under the sheet.
My eyes widen as Callie shimmies a bit on the table. I feel as if someone put me in a torture chamber.
I’m not sure if I make a noise or what, but Callie glances over, smiling. “It’s not as enjoyable as it might look.”
I blow out a breath. “I am a bit self-conscious right now.”
Both women laugh.
“It’s just the tip,” Callie says and turns her attention to the screen.
Not helping.
I stand to get a better view. I have no idea what we’re about to look at, but Dr. Amato grins at me and nods. What she’s seeing must be good then? The baby is good?
“So, this is the little one.” She points at the screen. “And this little flicker? That’s your baby’s heartbeat.”
My eyes transfix on the flicker. It’s blinking so fast. It’s nothing more than a speck, but that flicker means life.
A rush of emotion swells from my breastbone up my throat. My hands slide out of my jacket, and Callie reaches up, grabbing one hand for a moment, but she quickly tries to pull away. I clench her hand harder until her soft palm loosens.
“Everything’s good?” I ask, my vision blurring for a moment.
Dr. Amato looks at both of us. “Perfect.”
Callie and I lock gazes, and all the shit coming our way disappears. We made that little one together, and it’s going to depend on us.
So I make the same promise I already did to myself, but this time I make it for him or her. I will protect you and love you forever. You’ll never have to deal with the kind of shit I did. Ever. And in protecting you, I’m going to protect your mom, so you’ll always have her in your life.
Chapter
Fifteen
