Page 93 of Accidental Baby Daddy

I quietly walked out of the cabin. She didn’t follow me.

Walking back up to my house felt like walking to the gallows.

An agonizing week later, I got a text from Lexie.

Ultrasound appointment this afternoon. 2 p.m.

The next text was an address downtown.

I drew in a deep breath. I could do this. I could co-parent with Lexie and accept that there would be nothing else between us.

When I dropped Trent off at my mother’s house, she stopped me at the door. “You bring back some pictures of that baby,” she demanded, and I couldn’t help but laugh.

“I will, Mom.”

She hugged me goodbye, and I walked to the car hurriedly, because I was running a little late.

Lexie was already there, frowning and watching the door as I walked in. Her face relaxed when she saw me. I took that as a plus, anyway.

I cleared my throat and sat next to her, shifting in my seat. “How have you been feeling?”

“Fine, just tired,” she answered flatly, and my heart ached for her. She was pregnant, she shouldn’t be working two jobs when I could comfortably pay for things But it’s what she wanted to do. She was saving up to leave.

The idea of her leaving made panic claw at my throat but I pushed it down. I had to focus on the baby.

I missed every ultrasound for Trent. I missed the entire pregnancy. I wanted to be here for every second of this one.

The nurse called Lexie back and I followed, waiting patiently while she changed into the gown.

“I’m nervous,” she admitted, shifting on the hospital bed.

“It’s going to be okay,” I promised her. “Our baby is strong and healthy; I just know it.”

She smiled, taking my hand, and it made my heart soar.

The ultrasound tech smiled at us as she moved the wand around Lexie’s belly. I was shocked by how strong the heartbeat was, how loud it sounded in the room.

“Here we are,” the tech said. “Your baby’s head, and arms...”

She pointed everything out and the baby was beautiful. It was just a tiny profile but what a profile it was. They had Lexie’s nose.

“Do you want to know the sex?”

Lexie looked at me, tears in her green eyes. “Do we?”

“I do,” I said and squeezed her hand. “But if you don’t, we can wait.”

“I want to know,” Lexie said excitedly, looking at the tech.

“It’s a girl,” the ultrasound tech said, smiling. My heart swelled in my chest.

A little girl. A little girl with Lexie’s nose and maybe her pretty green eyes.

Tears streamed down my face, and Lexie wiped them away as the doctor came in.

“Everything looks perfect. You’re measuring well for six months, and the baby is a good size. Strong heartbeat. Healthy.”

“Can I ask a question, doctor?” I asked. Lexie frowned at me slightly, but I had to know.

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