Page 46 of Won’t Let You Get Away

And then there was the night I met Bri.

Now, as I stand beside her holding her hand, relying on it as if it’s my lifeline while leaning against the intimidating chair she’s reclined in for her appointment, I know this moment will join those others.

The sound of my baby’s heartbeat is something that will forever be imprinted in my mind.

“I noticed your blood pressure was a little on the higher side, so we’ll make sure to discuss that afterwards. But other than that,” the doctor pauses, clicking a couple of buttons beforesmiling up at us, “the baby is healthy and right on track. We have ten little fingers and toes… do you want to know the sex?”

“Yes,” Bri and I answer simultaneously, making the doctor chuckle as she turns back to her screen.

It wasn’t until an hour before the appointment that I realized just how jumbled my emotions were. I was thrilled that Bri asked me to be here today, excited to witness this for myself. But at the same time, nerves and fears continued to ransack my mind.

On my walk over to the cabin, I couldn’t stop thinking about how little I know about pregnancy and what Bri is experiencing. Then I kept thinking up all of the things that could potentially be wrong with the baby. By the time I stepped onto the front porch, I decided that a trip to the bookstore during tomorrow’s lunch break was definitely needed.

There was no way that I would bombard Bri with a barrage of questions when I could simply research the answers myself.

When Bri opened the door, her smile took my breath away, as it always does. I was determined to keep my worries hidden, which led to me rambling about AJ and Connor blowing up our group chat last night. And how my brother had been calling me all morning, making sure to relay his envelope and cupcake offer.

She laughed, commenting on how cute it was that he’s so excited for this and reassured me that I could share the news with him tonight.

“While I will never say no to cupcakes, I am way too much of a planner and over-thinker to not find out today,” she said as we walked to her car, grinning at me before continuing. “I think it’s cute that they’re this excited about the baby. You can tell them tonight or whenever you want. I planned on telling my parents tomorrow morning when I see them.”

Now, as I glance down to find Bri smiling up at me while the sound of our baby’s heartbeat fills the room, all those earlier fears take a backseat in my mind.

Inhaling deeply, I bend forward to lightly kiss Bri’s forehead as the doctor continues.

“Alright, congratulations mom and dad, you’re having a boy.”

The air leaves my lungs and my throat tightens as I stare at the ultrasound screen while the doctor goes over a few more things.

Bri squeezes my hand, drawing my attention away from the screen. It’s then that I notice we are alone in the room.

“Are you… okay?” she asks quietly while handing me a picture of the ultrasound with a white circle around the baby and the words “it’s a boy!”

“What?” I ask, blinking slowly and trying to figure out what else I missed.

“Well, I never asked if you were hoping for a boy or a girl. Not that I can actually change anything about?—”

“The only thing I had been hoping for was to hear that the baby is healthy. I would have been equally excited if the doctor said it was a girl. No matter what happens now or later in life, I’m going to be my baby’s biggest fan,” I reach up to tuck her hair behind her ear and smile when she leans into my touch. “Thank you.”

Bri snorts and smirks at me, her head falling back against the headrest.

“Hey, it takes two to get here.”

“Yes, and it was a lot of fun getting here.” I chuckle, leaning in to kiss her cheek. “But you’re doing the hard part. And let’s face it, if the roles were reversed, I would not look as beautiful as you do.”

She rolls her eyes but laughs as she places a hand on my chest and playfully pushes me away.

“All right, let me just get dressed and we can go.” Bri clutches the blanket around her waist as she motions to the door.

I don’t point out that I’ve clearly seen her without her pants on before and instead place a gentle kiss on her forehead before giving her privacy.

While I wait for her to get dressed and checked out, I quickly send my brother and AJ a picture of the ultrasound.

Bri steps up next to me, clutching her keys tightly and motioning to the door. “Ready?”

I nod, watching her closely before turning to hold the door open for her. Before the appointment, she was practically vibrating in her seat as she drove us here.

Now, it’s clear she’s distracted. Walking beside her, I peek over every so often, wondering if I should ask what’s wrong. As we approach her car, she fidgets with her keys and nervously bites her bottom lip.

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