“Nothing, everything looks perfect, except the size isn’t adding up.” Dawn glanced over at Slade. “Are you seeing this?”
“Seeing what?” Sloan’s voice turned hard as he glared at Dawn then Slade.
“The baby should be measuring six weeks, or at least with all the information I have from her medical files, that’s where the baby should be.” Slade leaned forward looking closely at the monitor. “But this is measuring the baby close to twelve weeks.”
“I’ve never seen anything like this before.” Dawn murmured. “Have you?”
“Only once before,” Slade said, then looked at Sloan. “Pam.”
“Is this dangerous for Becky?” Was Sloan’s question and the way he asked it, he wanted the answer now.
“No, but we need to keep a close eye on this.” Dawn replied quickly picking up on Sloan’s tone.
Becky said still looking at the monitor. “I figured it was close to six weeks.”
“This is just crazy.” Dawn still clicked around the monitor as she ran the probe along her stomach.
“New medical term?” Slade chuckled, then shook his head. “Welcome to our world. Everything is crazy. We need to learn more about this Golden Blood. But Dawn is right. We need to keep a close eye on this.”
“Sure is an active little girl or guy,” Dawn chuckled as she leaned out of the way for them to see a little better.
On the screen, the tiny shape shifted, the curve of a head and body clearer than Becky expected. Small arms and legs moved in quick little jerks, and for a second, the room went completely silent. She glanced to see a smiling Sloan as he watched his child on the monitor.
“Let me try to get some good pictures for you guys.” Dawn said, as Becky continued to watch Sloan. She had missed out on this when she was pregnant with Frankie. Her ex hadn’t wanted anything to do with any of it, and it broke her heart for not only herself, but her unborn child. At this very moment Becky didn’t think she could love Sloan Murphy more.
“Okay, got some good ones,” Dawn said as she removed the probe, then wiped the gel off Becky’s stomach. “I want to do another one in two weeks. If you have any issues, contact me right away. You know the drill since you’ve been through this before.”
Becky nodded as Sloan helped her sit up. Dawn handed her the pictures, and Becky smiled as she showed them to Sloan. He took one, staring hard at it. “Is that a?—”
Both Dawn and Becky looked at the picture he was holding and laughed. “No, that’s not a penis,” Dawn informed him, shaking her head. “That’s his foot.”
“Man, wouldn’t you be a proud daddy if it was a penis.” Becky laughed, and damn, it felt good.
Slade even laughed at that as he and Dawn headed toward the door. “Take your time,” Dawn said, giving them a smile before closing the door behind her.
They both sat in silence, staring at the pictures. Becky finally dropped her hands to her lap. She hated to bring it up now, but dammit she had to get this out. It was driving her insane. “You can’t resign, Sloan.”
“You heard?” he replied, and she could feel him staring at her.
“Yes.” She nodded, then took a deep breath. “I heard everything. I know I’m human, but don’t use that as an excuse to walk away.”
“It’s your safety that matters to me above everything.” Sloan cupped her chin, bringing her gaze to his. “You’ve already been targeted because of me. And now I have a child to consider.”
“No, I was targeted because of issues I had when I was sixteen,” she corrected him. “You just became a big bonus when theyfound out. Plus, I trust you to always keep us safe. I know that puts more pressure on you, but Sloan, your men need you. Please don’t walk away from them for me...for us.”
Sloan leaned down and kissed her softly. “I love you.”
“And I love you.” She kissed him, then glanced down at the pictures. “I know you never expected to have a child, but?—”
“I know what you heard, Becky.” Sloan looked at the picture in his hand. “I’ll admit the title of father scares the fuck out of me, but not because I don’t want that title. I just don’t want to let you or the baby down. I’ve lived a much different life than most men.”
“Frankie thinks the world of you, Sloan.” Becky grabbed his hand and squeezed. “The talk you had with him about everything that happened to me when I couldn’t is what a real father would do. He’s never had a real father figure in his life, which is sad. My ex only dealt with him to get to me. Frankie respects you, Sloan.”
“He’s a good kid.” Sloan nodded, then grinned. “He’s really excited about the baby.”
“I knew he would be.” Becky chuckled, then wrapped her arms around him. “You are going to be an amazing father, Sloan Fucking Murphy.”
“You really did hear everything.” Sloan frowned, then looked at her. “I’m sorry. I’m sure that wasn’t easy for you.”
