Page 53 of Full House

He liked that the tech had asked but liked Victoria’s answer even better. “Yes. He’s the father.”

Something shifted in his chest, and a feeling of pride and possession filled the space when Victoria acknowledged she was carrying his baby to a total stranger. Overwhelmed by the strange emotions, he directed his eyes to their joined hands, his thumb playing with the ring on her finger.

His brand.

His shouted announcement for all that came near that she belonged to him.

The tech raised Victoria’s gown, revealing her stomach while being careful to leave the sheet covering her hips, in place. “This might feel a little weird.” She held a bottle over Victoria’s stomach, squeezing out a zig-zagged line of clear goo.

Victoria’s belly fluttered, and a small hiss escaped her lips.

His eyes flashed to her. “You okay?”

“Yeah, it was just a little chilly.”

The tech placed a wand-shaped instrument on Victoria’s stomach, and after a few seconds of positioning, a swishing sound filled the room.

“What the hell is that?” Nate whipped his head around as if the source of the sound would magically appear.

“Your baby’s heartbeat.”

Nate, at a loss for words, was floored further when the tech turned the monitor of the machine, angling it their direction. He needed no explanation for what was displayed on the screen. He could see it plain as day.

His baby.

Head. Arms. Kicking legs.

Pointing the cursor to a little fluttering spot, the tech said, “The baby’s heart and heartbeat.”

Victoria’s hand squeezing his, drew him from his daze. He took a step closer—his thighs pressing into the rails of the bed—to get a better look. They silently stared at the monitor. He couldn’t look away. He knew he was awed and figured Victoria was feeling the same way.

The tech spent time adjusting the wand and clicking the computer mouse, leaving little dots on the screen. “According to the measurements, your due date of February seventh seems accurate.” She zoomed in and clicked one last button before the screen went blank. Setting the wand aside, she cleaned off Victoria’s stomach with a towel then put her gown back into place.

Finally, finding his voice, Nate asked, “So everything looks okay. The fall didn’t hurt it?”

For the first time since he’d first walked in the door, the technician looked at him. She started blushing before she even opened her mouth. “Everything looks fine, Mr. Reed.” She held a photo out to him. “A still shot of the baby.”

His eyes flicked to her name badge. “Thank you, Angela.”

If possible, her cheeks turned redder. “The doctor should be with you shortly.” She backed the cart, holding the ultrasound, from the side of the bed then made her way to the door, looking over her shoulder at him, one last time, before leaving.

Nate’s attention was on the photo when he heard Victoria say, “And another woman falls victim to your devastatingly handsome good looks.”

Nate gave Victoria a smirk. “But I only have eyes for you.” He heard a delicate snort. “What? You don’t believe me?”

“You’re a man. Men’s eyes roam.”

He felt a frown pull at his brow. Where the hell had that come from? He knew their argument from the day before was still fresh, but before that she’d never come off as the jealous or distrustful type—not that he’d ever given her reason not to trust him. Maybe it was time they had the Past Relationship talk.

He’d been avoiding the issue for two very good reasons. One, he hadn’t wanted to bring up a bunch of women that hadn’t meant anything to him, stirring up any resentment, and two, he sure as fuck didn’t want to know who’d come before him. It was a case of ignorance truly was bliss.

But as much as he’d love to bury his head in the sand, he couldn’t let that shit slide. “Some men’s eyes might roam, but mine won’t. I’ve got everything I’ll ever want to look at sitting right in front of me.”

She looked down at their clasped hands but didn’t say anything.

“Hey.” Taking her by the chin, he tilted her head back. “Talk to me. What’s running through that head of yours?”

Her lids fell, blocking their gazes. That, he wouldn’t stand for. He wanted to read her expression, but more importantly, he wanted her to read his. “Look at me.” When he had her eyes, he repeated, “Talk.”

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