“It’s a boy!” Lukyan exclaimed gleefully as though he didn’t already know the answer.
“Actually, that means the little guy…or girl…is giving you the thumbs up.” She winked at Norah conspiratorially. “It’s this—” another arrow— “that lets me know you’re having a boy.” Christie said the words as if she was revealing something new and exciting for Norah and Lukyan. She had no idea that they both knew already that the child was a boy. And despite the fact that Norah knew the child was a boy before she even set foot in the building, seeing it on screen and hearing it from a trained medical professional’s mouth made it seem all the more real. Norah teared up.
"Thank you, Christie. I cannot imagine a moment that would be more exciting than this one.” She grasped the redhead by the hand. “I appreciate you so much. You have helped Lukyan and I experienced something so special, the opportunity to see our child before he's even born." Christie smiled and scooted around on her stool.
“I’m going to turn this off, but I’ll leave this picture on the screen for you guys. When you check out I will have a few pictures waiting for you at the checkout counter.” She looked at Norah as she stood up. “Before I go, are you getting regular checkups and updates, Norah?" Norah nodded and confirmed that she was getting regular checkups, which was absolutely a lie. Lukyan had told her repeatedly that shifters do not need regular checkups. Unlike humans, they were rarely ill or in need of medical care. She didn’t want to appear as if she were a negligent mother, however, so she pretended that she went often to her doctor’s office.
Lukyan watched Christie leave the room, and then he gently pulled Norah's shirt back down over her blooming belly. He leaned forward and cupped her face in his hands. "Norah, I lo—” he caught the word in his mouth and sent her a look of panic. Taking a deep breath he opened his mouth to start again.Say it, say it,Norah urged him silently.
“You are so special to me." He leaned forward and gently kissed her lips. It was a soft sweet gesture. Norah could almost guarantee that there was love in it. But why didn’t he tell her?Perhaps he’s one of those men that has an irrational fear of the L-word,she reasoned with herself.Perhaps I should say it first.Yes, she liked that idea. She would tell him first. Tonight.
Lukyan sat back and moved his face down to Norah's belly. He cupped her belly in his hands, his mouth above her belly button. "And you, my little bean, I love you so much." Lukyan bent and kissed Norah’s stomach through the cloth of her shirt. Norah felt a pang of sadness, and if she were truthful, of jealousy, followed immediately by a stab of shame. She was jealous of her own unborn child!
Hot tears formed in her eyes. Before she could push them away they fell down her cheeks. She was so ashamed of herself, but she could not stop the tears from falling. Lukyan looked up to her face.
"It’s a lot to take in, isn’t it darling? I almost cried myself when I saw the little guy." Norah nodded her head.He thinks I'm crying because we saw the baby. He would be so ashamed of me if he knew I was crying because I was jealous of our child.
Lukyan handed her a tissue from the box on the counter. "Here sweetie. Dry your eyes. Let’s get you out of here and get a popsicle in your hand. I can tell by the look on your face that you're not feeling well." Lukyan helped Norah sit up and guided her gently out the door.
For the first time in a long while, none of Norah’s discomfort had anything to do with morning sickness.
