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She nods. “Yup. Clear as day.”

Tears slide down Lennon’s cheeks, so I lean over and press my lips to the top of her head. “We’re having a girl, baby.”

“Poor James is going to be so sad,” she says, making me laugh. “He wanted a boy cousin so bad.”

I tip her chin up so our eyes can meet. “He’ll get over it. Besides, this little girl is a part of you, so he’ll have no choice but to love her.”

Lennon licks her lips through her smile, so I bend down and press a kiss to her mouth. “That was really sweet.”

“I have my moments.”

Dr. Monogan clears her throat. “Let me print some pictures for you, but otherwise, everything looks good, Lennon. Keep doing what you’re doing. Make sure to drink plenty of water, and rest when you can. And congratulations. I’ll see you two in a month.”

Once Lennon gets cleaned up and redressed and we make our next appointment, I walk her back out to her car, hand in hand.

She’s the first one to speak. “I guess now we can start getting the nursery together, huh?”

“Definitely. You thinking pink?”

Her nose scrunches up. “Ugh. Not sure I want to be that cliché.”

“No worries. Maybe that’s something you can think about while I’m gone this week.” I pull her into my chest, burying my nose in her hair. “God, now I really don’t want to leave.”

“Why?”

“Because this little girl heard my voice and reacted.” I take in a deep breath. “I can’t explain to you how that made me feel.”

Her arms wrap around my waist. “Well, she and I aren’t going anywhere. We’ll be waiting for you when you get back.”

I stand upright again and meet her eyes. “We’re having a girl.”

The happiness that spreads across her face is like watching a firework light up the night sky. “We are.”

Hearing her talk about us—specifically, hearing her use the word we—is exactly the reassurance I need.

My hand cups the side of her face. “Can I ask you something?”

“No.”

I narrow my eyes at her. “Smart ass.”

“You already knew this about me.”

“You’re right. I did. Not sure why I’m surprised by any of your arguing anymore.”

She sticks her tongue out at me. “You love it.”

Yeah, I do. And I love you too.

I love this girl so fucking much, and it’s killing me not to say it. But this isn’t the time. My gut tells me to wait for the right moment, and I hope I’ll recognize it when it comes.

“Like I was saying, how would you feel about us getting away for a weekend after I get back?”

“Okay…”

“Like a babymoon?”

Lennon laughs. “Wow. Never thought I’d hear you say a word like that.”