Page 36 of Love or Tequila in Unexpected Places

“Not at all,” he replied, wiping his tears with the back of his hand, still transfixed on the screen.

“Would you like me to print you a picture?” Dr. Malory asked them softly. They both nodded their heads simultaneously, a sense of childlike excitement washing over them. Dr. Malory chuckled and pressed some more buttons, before a small picture began to print out.

Allison took the picture, and she just stared at it, her heart swelling with emotions. She stroked the small blob with a finger, the image solidifying the reality of her baby.My baby. She thought she heard Angelo ask for a second picture, but she couldn’t be certain. It didn’t matter much; all she could think about was that tiny life growing inside her.

“When was your last period, Allison?” Dr. Malory asked, her voice calm and professional.

Allison didn’t reply. She knew the question was directed at her, but she couldn’t be bothered to answer, lost in her thoughts.

“Allison,” Angelo said, his voice gentle, the way he’d said it all those previous times when he wanted her attention.

She looked up at him, and her stomach fluttered at the kindness in his eyes. “Dr. Malory has some questions for you, sweet girl.” He stroked her hand with his thumb, and her heart skipped a beat at the nickname and the softness in his voice.

She glanced back at Dr. Malory, who seemed taken aback by their interaction but smiled kindly. “When did your last period start?”

“Um, I think it was August 30th. But… but I only had sex on September 12th,” Allison replied shyly, her cheeks warming. She didn’t enjoy sharing this kind of information with a stranger—and especially not in front of Angelo—but she knew it was a necessary evil.

“Okay, then that would mean your due date is around June 18th. Which is lucky, because you won’t have to go through your final trimester during the summer. Trust me, you’ll get what I mean,” Dr. Malory said, her tone light and reassuring.

Allison barely registered what Dr. Malory was saying, her mind racing.

June 18th.

That date echoed in her thoughts, and it hit her like a freight train. November was almost gone already, which meant the due date was less than seven months away. Seven months. That was no time at all.

Suddenly, the gravity of the situation sank in. She was going to be a mom in just a few months! The realization brought a mix of excitement and panic.

What will I do? Am I ready for this?

“Are you okay?” Angelo asked, sensing her sudden shift in mood. His brow furrowed slightly, and the concern in his voice was palpable.

“I—I think so,” she replied, forcing a smile. “I just… it’s happening fast.”

“Hey, we’ll figure it out together,” he reassured her, giving her hand a gentle squeeze. “One step at a time. Remember, we’re a team.”

His words brought her some comfort, and she took a deep breath, reminding herself that she wasn’t alone in this. Theywere in it together, no matter how daunting it felt. With the picture of their baby still clutched in her hand, she let herself feel the hope and excitement that came with the unknown.

Ten

ANGELO

Badum. Badum. Badum.

Angelo was in a trance, his senses heightened as he followed Allison out of the doctor’s office and into the parking lot, just minutes after their appointment concluded. But while the world around him faded, his mind was captivated by that beautiful sound.

Each beat reverberated in his chest, a rhythmic pulse claiming his heart as its own, a reminder that life was beginning anew. With every thrum, he felt a surge of hope and determination.

All his doubts and moments of second-guessing were washed away by the exhilarating rush of possibility coursing through him. The air around him felt electric, charged with potential, and he embraced that feeling, allowing it to fill him with the confidence that he could care for this baby.

My baby.

As if drawn by an invisible force, Angelo’s hand instinctively reached into his pocket, seeking the small picture of his little miracle tucked away there. The image felt warm against his fingers, a tangible connection to the future they were embarking on together. He could almost envision the tiny fingers and delicate features of his miracle, and with each heartbeat that reverberated in his mind, he realized that he was ready to embrace the joys and challenges of fatherhood.

I can do this. I can be a father.

Angelo’s heart swelled with an overwhelming rush of emotions as he stroked a finger over the tiny blob on the small picture.

A rush of fierce protectiveness washed over him, overwhelming his senses. Angelo swore to himself and his unborn child that he would care for it, safeguard it, and love it with every ounce of his being.

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