“I have no idea. I haven’t gotten my period in at least six years.” Looking at the monitor, he presses a couple of buttons.
He closes down the machine and turns on the light. “How are you feeling?” he asks, coming over with a towel to wipe off my stomach. He then leans down and kisses the baby. “I love you,” he says, and I run my hand through his hair.
“I’m going to be a mother,” I say, smiling so big my cheeks hurt as the emotions overcome me. “I’m going to have a baby.” I sob, holding my mouth as joy fills me. “A mother. I’m going to be a mother.”
“Yeah, baby.” He kisses me. “The best mother. Now, let’s get you home.” I nod, getting up. “Are you dizzy? Do you want me to get a wheelchair?”
“No. Hell no, I just need your hand.” I reach out for his hand, and we walk out, holding hands.
I look at the nurses’ station, seeing that they called Hailey, who stands with tears in her eyes, mixed with fear while Walker holds her shoulders.
I smile at her when she starts to walk to us but stops when Gabe yells, “We’re having a baby.” He raises our hands as I shake my head while everyone looks shocked.
“Maybe we should have started with we’re dating and then ease in.” I smile but stop when Hailey gets to me.
Her hands go to my face as she wipes tears away. “You’re having a baby?” she cries as I nod my head. “A baby.” She takes me in her arms, and I sob again, holding her. “A miracle,” she says between sobs, and Walker comes to her side.
The room has cleared out, and it’s just the four of us. “I came as soon as I could.” I hear Mrs. Dr. Walker walk into the back room, her husband coming out of his office. “Oh my god, Crystal, are you okay? They told me you fainted?” She walks to me. “Why is she crying?” She looks around at her husband who smiles big.
“We’re having a baby,” Gabe says next to me, pulling me to him. My arms go around his waist, and I look up at him smiling. “A baby.”
She gasps, her hands going to her mouth. “I knew it.” She turns to look at her husband. “I told you.”
“What?” I ask shocked
“Oh, honey, it was so apparent, and not even all from you, but from him.” She points at her son. “It was in his eyes. He would follow you when you weren’t looking, would find you in a crowd of people.” She smiles. “I’m going to be a grandmother.” She puts her hands on her chest. “It’s a girl. I feel it.”
“Everyone needs to calm down and give her space,” Gabe says. “We need to get her into bed, so she can rest.”
“Yes,” his mother says, agreeing. “Someone get a wheelchair.”
“Oh my god,” I whisper to myself, but the smile never leaves my face. Especially when I call Nanny that night and tell her the big news, oh and that I’m staying right where I am.
Chapter Twenty-Eight
Gabe
“Do you want me to carry you inside?” I ask her when we pull up to my house.
“No.” She turns, looking at me with a smile, the same smile that hasn’t left her face since she saw our baby. We walk into the house with our hands together, her stomach growling. “I’m hungry.”
“Yes,” I say, turning her to face me. “I missed you,” I say, holding her face in my hands. “So much,” I whisper when I lean down and kiss her gently.
We don’t move from the door when the bell rings. Pulling open the door, we see Brody and Darla with food in their hands. “We came as soon as they called.” I look at them with confused eyes.
“Oh my god,” Darla says, coming inside, “I’m so, so happy for you guys.” She hugs first me and then Crystal.
“No,” I say loudly, “you can’t stay. She needs to get off her feet and rest.”
“Gabe,” Crystal says, grabbing my arm and pulling me close, “they brought food, and I’m hungry.” I look at her.
“Twenty minutes,” I say while Darla and Brody walk to the kitchen, but then the door opens again. This time, it’s Hailey, Walker, and Mila. “What is this? My woman needs to get off her feet and rest.”
Hailey laughs. “She may be your ‘woman,’” she says, making air quotes with her fingers, “but she was my cousin first.” She walks to Crystal, hugging her as they both cry in each other’s arms.
“This isn’t keeping her calm,” I tell them when Walker pushes me by the shoulder, walking to the kitchen. “Enough,” I say to them as they tear apart. “Her blood pressure must be skyrocketing right now. It’s not good.”