Page 148 of Before I Loved You

I nod, letting the corners of my lips lift. “Together,” I repeat.

Knock. Knock. The door opens, revealing Dr. Martin, who walks in, reading over the papers on her clipboard. “All right, Sarah, are you ready—” She stops speaking when her eyes widen at the sight of Paul. She looks between the two of us, her lips curving upward. I forgot she wasn’t here when Paul came with me for the last appointment. “I take it you’re the father.”

Paul extends his hand, smiling. “That’s me. Paul.”

“Well, it’s very nice to meet you.” She places her clipboard on the counter. “Are you two ready to find out the sex of your baby?” she asks with a bright smile.

I lie on my back, lifting the dressing gown to give her plenty of access to my stomach. “Let’s do this.”

Dr. Martin chuckles. “Someone’s eager.”

“I just want to make sure our baby is healthy. I read somewhere that the twenty-week ultrasound checks for the development of the baby’s bones, heart, brain, kidneys…” I flutter my hand around anxiously. “Well, you know what it does since you’re the doctor.” I bite back a nervous smile as Paul intertwines his fingers with mine. “And once we know the sex, we can start deciding on a name.”

Paul nods in agreement, looking lost in thought.

“It’s going to be a little cold,” Dr. Martin warns as she begins to lather some gel over my skin.

“Jesus, you weren’t kidding.” I squeeze Paul’s hand.

She places a handheld wand on my skin, moving it around until she finally says, “There you are.” She points to the screen beside her and looks between me and Paul. “That’s your baby.”

I stare at the screen, eyes widening in astonishment. There really is a baby inside me. This is happening.

I look over at Paul, finding his mouth hanging open, and I’m positive the same thoughts are running through his mind. His eyes meet mine when he quietly whispers, “Wow.”

“Wow,” I repeat with glossy eyes.

“It’s no bigger than a banana,” Paul observes, staring at the screen.

“That’s correct,” Dr. Martin confirms. She continues moving the wand and taking notes while she clicks on her screen, pinpointing certain spots on the baby. “I can confirm with certainty that you have a perfectly healthy baby growing inside you, Mom.”

Mom. My chest squeezes painfully tight at the word.

“Thank you,” I choke out.

Paul’s thumb traces over the lily tattoo on my wrist, his eyes welling up as he stands beside me, swallowing down his emotions.

“Now, let’s see if we can determine the sex.” Dr. Martin moves the wand around but quickly asks, “Are you two ready for me to say?”

We both look at her, nodding eagerly.

“It’s a girl,” she answers with a gentle smile.

Goose bumps spread over my body, a smile blooming across my face.

It’s a girl.

I quickly glance at Paul to make sure he’s happy with this piece of information, but of course, he is. Because when my eyes land on him, I find a breathtaking smile on his face, which tells me everything I need to know.

“We’re having a girl,” I murmur, peeking down at my stomach.

Dr. Martin clears her throat. “I’ll give you two a few minutes and be right back.” After she wipes the gel from my skin, she walks out, closing the door behind her.

Paul lifts my hand to his lips, kissing the back of it. “I was hoping for a girl.”

“Really?” I ask, surprised. “I would have thought you wanted a little NBA player like yourself,” I tease.

He shakes his head, laughing. “I was hoping for a girl because, if it’s okay with you, Sarah, I think I know what we should name her.”

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