Wow!
“Baby must love your voice,” I say.
Watching the screen, I see it move its hand towards its mouth.
“Oh look, that’s so cute,” I gush.
“Like daddy already, huh, bubba?” Jake chuckles.
“You were a thumb sucker?” I ask him.
“Yup, until I was nine.” I never knew that about him.
The radiographer does a few more measurements, and we see arms, legs and cute little feet—with all ten toes.
“Since we’re done with the measurements, there’s only one thing left to do. Are we finding out the gender of the baby today? I can safely tell you that baby definitely wants you to know,” the radiographer says with a soft laugh.
“It’s a boy.” Jake chuckles.
I scowl. “Hang on, mister. It might be a girl.”
“If it is, there will be some very strong words said, young lady,” he growls at my stomach.
I turn back to the radiographer. “Yes, we want to know.”
The radiographer laughs. “Get that speech ready because there is an eighty percent chance you are having a girl.”
“Ah, crap.” Jake laughs, clearly not disappointed in the least.
We exit the sonogram room with a CD full of photos of our daughter.
We decide to stop at the Baby Factory to grab a few onesies and a teddy bear to help us reveal the gender before we make our way home.
Along the drive, my phone buzzes in my bag. I open it and find a text from my best friend.
Aria: So, what’s the gender?
“Your sister can’t wait. She wants to know the gender now,” I say.
“You can announce it on Facebook tonight if you want.”
“Nah, I don’t think I will. I want to get creative at how we tell everyone we’re having a girl.”
“Fair enough. That sounds like fun.”
“Are you happy it’s a girl?” I ask him.
“I’m happy she’s healthy, but I definitely have my work cut out for me.” He chuckles. “Are you happy?”
“Not really. I kinda wanted a boy, but it’ll grow on me.”
“Hang on, but you were the one who wanted a girl.”
“I was teasing. I really wanted a boy.”
“Oh, well. We will have to try again.”
Jake
I can’t believe those words just tumbled from my mouth. I haven’t even taken her on a proper date yet, and I’m already suggesting we have another baby.
I park the car up the driveway and shut off the engine. Turning to look at Stephanie, she’s staring at me completely lost for words.
Without another thought, I lean forward and kiss her; devouring her mouth in one fluid motion. Sliding my hands around her neck, she allows me entrance. Deeping the kiss, I feel her shiver in my arms.
She grips my arms and pulls back. Her red lips are swollen from my kiss.
“Go out with me?” I whisper, lightly rubbing my thumb across her cheek.
“On a date?” she asks.
“Yes, a date.”
“Are you sure?”
“Would you just say yes?” I huff.
She smiles. “That would be making it too easy on you, but yes, Jake, I’d love to go out with you.”
“Good. Make yourself available next Friday night. Dress up sexy for me. I’ll pick you up at seven.”
“Where are we going?” she asks.
“It’ll be a surprise.”
“Will I see you before the date?”
“Of course, you will. I’ll be home on Saturday to play pool with Toby.”
She leans forward and presses her lips to mine. “See your Saturday, handsome.”
“See you then beautiful. Oh, PS... Don’t forget to make the announcement about the baby’s gender.”
“Make sure you don’t forget the flowers next week.” She laughs.
I sigh while throwing her a grin. “This dating thing is expensive.”
“It’ll be worth it, I promise.” She winks at me.
I arch an eyebrow at her, then grin. “Are you telling me you want to get me naked after the date? I’m not sure I’m that sort of guy.”
“Depending on how the date goes, yes.” She leans forward. “And once you see what I’m going to be wearing beneath the dress, you’ll change your tune.”
I shift in my seat as my cock hardens. “I’m picking you up tomorrow night.”
“Nope, you need a week to get yourself organised, mister. I want to be romanced.” She presses her lips to my cheek and then gets out of the car. I sit there, watching her walk away. She doesn’t have a big bump, but the way her entire body has changed with the pregnancy is a huge turn on.
I reverse out of the driveway and ring my sister.
“Hey, so tell me the gender of the baby?” Aria asks as she answers the phone.
“Nope, not yet, but I need your help with a few things.”
“Sure. I can help. What am I helping with?” she asks.
“I’m taking Steph on a date next Friday night and well, I want to make it special.”
“It’ll be special because she’s with you.”
“While that’s sweet Aria, I want to make her see I want to be with her and not just because we’re having a baby together.”
“I can definitely help with that.”
“Excellent. You’re the best sister ever.”
“I know.”
“Bye, Ari.”
I hang up the phone and decide I might head to the base, then over to the gym. A good workout will help me relieve the pressure of my impending date with Stephanie. Needless to say, I’m a little nervous about it even though I know it’s going to go well.
Stephanie
“Hi Stephanie, it’s Mia. We met at the wedding show back in April? I’m ringing today because I’m going to cancel my wedding dress design appointment. Darla of Darla’s Dazzling Designs has given me an offer, and I couldn’t possibly pass it up. I’m so very sorry. I was wondering if there was any chance I could get my deposit back. If not, no worries. Just give me a call. Thanks.”
A beep tells me the message has ended. I’m devastated and almost on the verge of tears.
Damn pregnancy hormones.
I thought for sure I wasn’t going to lose Mia. In past conversations, she had been so confident about being my client. Now, I find out she’s going to Darla? I’m damn sure that’s where all the others have gone, too. I’ve known for years the vile woman never liked me, but I would never have thought she’d go so far as to steal my clients.
Secretly, I hope Darla doesn’t manage to deliver her orders on time and ends up getting bad reviews.
I toss my phone down onto the bed and glance out the door towards our daughter’s room. How the hell am I supposed to pay for all the things she needs now? I do have a handful of other clients, but I was really looking forward to designing those dresses. It’s the favourite part of my job. I enjoy meeting new clients and helping them design or find their dream dress. I’m beginning to wonder if this stress is worth the work I put in anymore.