Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 67095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 67095 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 335(@200wpm)___ 268(@250wpm)___ 224(@300wpm)
That’s when my world is rocked. That’s when it hits me. The sound of a swoosh, swoosh, swoosh fills the room. I drop my forehead to Mackenzie’s and squeeze my eyes closed. “That’s our baby,” I say.
Mackenzie sobs. I want to gather her against me, but I know I can’t. The sound is the most beautiful thing I have ever heard in my life.
“The heartbeat sounds great—it’s really strong,” the woman says.
I lift my head and look at the screen, at our child.
“I’m going to give the doctor the results of the ultrasound and let her go over them with you.” She removes the wand and takes the condom off the end, tossing it and then her gloves in the garbage. She washes her hands. “Would you like me to print out a couple photos for you two to take with you?”
“Yes,” we both say. She looks between the two of us and smiles. “Go on and get dressed. The doctor will be back in a few minutes to go over everything with you,” she says as she leaves the room.
She hands me a few pictures before closing the door behind her.
Looking at the grainy image of our child, I ball my hand into a fist and try to control the worry that fills the pit of my stomach. Irrational worry. Tucking the picture away, I turn and help Mackenzie off the table, then take the paper gown from her and roll it into a ball and toss it into the trash as she starts to get dressed.
“I think we should move in together and get married.”
“What?” She turns toward me and frowns as she starts to put on her dress.
“I think we should move in together and get married,” I repeat, the idea making something inside of me feel more centered, more at ease.
“Did you hit your head?” She shakes hers before turning her back on me.
“No.”
“Then you’ve lost your mind,” she mutters. I step up behind her, wondering if I maybe have lost my mind. “We are not going to throw our already-crazy relationship into fast-forward just because I’m pregnant,” she says.
I don’t have a chance to tell her that I want to marry her because I’m in love with her. Because she is the best thing that has ever happened to me. Because I can’t imagine things any other way. The second she finishes her statement, someone else knocks on the door.
“Come in,” I growl, zipping up her dress.
She looks at me like I’ve lost my mind.
“Great news, guys.” The doctor from earlier steps into the room. “Everything looks great. The baby’s heartbeat is normal, and he or she seems to be developing well. So you’re free to go. Just make sure you set up an appointment as soon as you can.”
“I will, and thank you again,” Mackenzie says, shaking her hand.
“Are you ready?” Mackenzie asks after the doctor leaves.
Part of me wants to force the issue of us getting married and living together, but seeing the exhaustion in her eyes, I know that now is not the time to harp on it.
“Yeah, gorgeous.” I take her hand in mine. When we get out of the hospital, we have no choice but to catch a cab back to my place. I make sure that Mackenzie is buckled in on the ride home. Once we arrive at my place, we shower together and then get into bed and watch TV until we both fall asleep.
Hearing a song playing, I blink my eyes open. The room is completely dark, and Mac is tucked into my side with her hand resting on my abs. Hearing the song again, I sit up. I realize it’s Mac’s phone. Reaching over her to the bedside table, I pick it up and see in the light from the screen that she’s opening her eyes. I lie back down.
“Who is it?” she asks sleepily.
“Your sister Fawn,” I say.
She puts her hand to my gut and sits up, taking the phone from me and putting it to her ear.
“Hey, is everything okay?” she answers. “Oh my god! Shut up!” The tone of her voice changes from worried to excited in the blink of an eye, making me curious.
Sitting up, I reach over and turn on the light. Her happy, smiling eyes meet mine.
“I’m so happy for you—even if I am a little mad.” She tucks the blanket under her arms. “Duh. Of course we will celebrate when you get home. All right. Love you, too. Tell Levi I said congrats, and give him a hug from me.”
She hangs up.
“What’s going on?”
“Fawn and Levi got married in Vegas tonight. I’m so happy for them.”
“Me too,” I agree, leaving out the part of me being a little jealous at the same time. Why didn’t I think about taking her to Vegas?