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While there is a part of me that’s terrified about the changes that come with having a kid, building a family with Elsie sounds like a dream, not a nightmare.

So much could go wrong between now and when Elsie gives birth. There’s so much more that could happen afterward.

“Marshall?” Elsie’s voice draws me out of my spiral.

“Um. Yeah.” I say, shaking my head.

“Do you want to see the baby?” She asks, with an annoyance in her voice, which tells me this isn’t the first time.

“Of course,” I say, rising to my feet and taking a few steps to her side.

At some point in my panic, the doctor and nurse brought out the ultrasound machine and prepped Elsie for the scan.

Taking Elsie’s hand, more for my comfort than hers, I glance up at the screen where the ultrasound is shown, and my breath stops.

I’ve seen photos before and heard their heartbeat, but nothing compares to the awe of watching your child move around on a screen like this.

My gaze hones in on the minute movements of the baby growing in Elsie’s womb as the sound of the heartbeat, one I’m extremely familiar with echoes around the room.

“That’s our baby girl,” I whisper.

“Marshall. You don’t know that.” Elsie teases back at me before turning to the doctor. “But I think they could tell us if you’re right.”

“Would you like to know for sure?” The doctor asks.

“No. I don’t need to know for sure unless Elsie wants to.” I say, tearing my eyes away from the screen to look back at my daughter’s mother. “I already know what I need to know. She’s ours.”

Elsie gives me a smile that warms my heart, and I look back at the screen where our baby is displayed.

“We’re gonna be parents,” Elsie says, the same awe in her voice that I feel in my marrow.

“We’re gonna be a family,” I whisper.

The rest of the appointment goes by in a blur, and before I know it, Elsie and I are headed to the car to take her back to the office for work, after which I’ll head home.

To our home.

My family’s home.

It’s as though everything in the world around me ceases to exist at that exact moment, and everything goes still and quiet.

Nothing is more important to me than this family I’m building with Elsie.

With that thought, everything becomes clear.

“Marshall. You need to start the car if you expect us to go anywhere.” Elsie says from the passenger seat beside me.

I glance over at her, taking in her soft features and the small smile she has on her lips as she looks at me teasingly.

“I’m quitting my job,” I say, turning on the engine.

Her eyes grow wide. “What?”

“My job. I’m going to quit.” I say, finality in my voice as I back out of our parking spot and head in the direction of Elsie’s office. “You asked me to quit. That’s what I’m doing. I’ll email my boss tonight.”

“Okay.” She responds tentatively.

“I want to stay home and care for you and the baby,” I explain, glancing over at her as I drive. “I have worked my ass off, and I have more than enough saved up to help support us.”

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