Page 19 of Her Shifter Babe

David groaned after a time before he managed an answer. “Ah... I think so.”

I put the ultrasound wand down and walked around the hospital bed, extending a hand to David, who was still firmly on his knees. “Come on, brother. We still haven’t seen our baby yet.”

David lifted his head, and within his eyes I saw everything I’d ever hoped for—for him and us. He was filled with wild excitement and a blazing hope that burned like the sun, mingled with just a touch of fear. All emotions very befitting our present scenario.

David nodded once, resolute, and accepted my hand, climbing to his feet with a rough cough.

I wanted to shout with excitement and joy as the realization of our perfect pairs bond washed over me, but Stacey hadn’t officially said that she’d even be with me again, let alone accept David as her mate. Our collective focus should be on the baby, and the needs of our mate, so we needed to keep the spotlight there for now. “All right, now that David’s on his feet...” I trailed off with a smile.

“Sit next to me,” Stacey said, reaching out for him.

David took her hand, shivering at her touch, then collapsing on to the chair next to her with another shiver, his gaze a little glassy.

I smothered the amiable laugh that rose in my throat, but I couldn’t stop the smile that filled my heart at seeing my brother so clearly stupefied and besotted with Stacey.

Stacey was staring at me warmly, waiting for me to continue.

So, I put the wand back on her belly and began the measurements once more. “The baby is looking very healthy, Stacey.” I said, measuring the length of the femur and looking for any signs of concern.

“There’s only one?” she asked.

I chuckled. “Oh, yes. One healthy...”

Girl.

My stomach tightened with excitement. A little girl to adore and spoil! “Do you want to know the gender?” I asked her, finding it hard to contain my excitement.

“Do you know what it is?” she replied, her eyebrows rising.

I nodded. “Yes, I’m sorry. At twenty-six weeks, it’s impossible for me not to see.”

“Well, if you know, I want to know,” she said, anticipating the answer.

I glanced over to my brother, noting his curiosity piqued. Then I looked back to Stacey. “You’re going to have a little girl.”

“Oh my God! How lovely!” Stacey gushed, smiling down at her big belly, a beautiful and pure light in her eyes. “I wasn’t sure, of course, but I had a feeling.”

“Why...” David’s voice broke, so he cleared it loudly before continuing. “Why haven’t you been able to get medical care before now, Stacey?”

She sighed. “Well, I was working as a contractor, so got no benefits. Then I was moving around and lost my job due to the pregnancy, and I’ve just been... surviving, really. I never stopped looking for Tommy and trying to get enough money together to get here.”

David stood up, staring at the screen, a look of hardened resolve on his face. “How long do we have to prepare, Tommy? Three months?”

I nodded in confirmation. “Yeah, give or take.”

David nodded and walked over to the door. “I have to go get ready for work, but will you both come in for dinner? I’d like to show Stacey the restaurant.” David smiled at Stacey, but I could feel his nerves and anxiety as if they were my own.

“Your restaurant?” she queried, wiping the gel from her belly with the towel I’d handed her.

He nodded. “Yes, Tommy will explain. I’ve got to run. But I’ll see you tonight?”

“You will,” she answered.

And then David was gone.

Stacey tugged her top back down over her blossoming bump and offered me a lop-sided smile. “He’s a bit intense.”

I laughed. “He’s my brother, so you’re not going to get an unbiased answer or argument from me there.”

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