Page 142 of Forgot to Tell You Something

“He’s a friend,” I blurt out, ignoring the incredulous look crossing Owen’s face. I know he’s pissed, but I’ll deal with him later. Right now, I’m trying not to burst into tears, as what should have been a beautiful moment is marred—once again—by Charlotte’s pervading presence.

Harriet glances between the two of us before offering me a pat on the arm. “You can’t have too many friends. Let’s get started, shall we? Lu, you’re going to be a mom! That’s amazing.”

“Thanks.” I feel Owen’s gaze on me, but I keep my focus on the ceiling. That’s a safe spot.

“How’s your Dad?”

I swallow against the tears. So much for this being a pleasant visit. “He passed away a couple of weeks ago.”

Harriet pauses, her eyes glassy. She knows what the man meant to me. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t know, or I would have been there.”

I nod at her words, but it’s the feel of Owen’s hand enveloping mine that brings me back to the present. I glance at him and he offers a sad smile, his fingers tracing along my palm.

“Okay, here comes the fun part.”

I slide up my gown, aware of Owen’s laser stare. Harriet squirts the gel on my stomach, and I flinch. “Holy hell, that’s cold.”

Owen has yet to release my hand, his lips moving lightly across my fingers. “You are showing,” he murmurs.

I blame the hormones as tears back up in my eyes again. “I’m so short that there’s nowhere for Nugget to hide. I’ll be a waddling mess soon,” I retort, forcing a smile in his direction.

“You’re beautiful.”

“You have to say that,” I volley back.

“I mean it. You’ve never been so beautiful.”

I meet his gaze, all ready with a sarcastic barb, but it dies in my throat. There’s a softness in his face, and I’m not willing to ruin it with words. Particularly not the wrong words.

Meanwhile, Harriet is busy pressing buttons and flipping knobs with one hand, the other wrapped around the probe as it maneuvers around my stomach. She looks like she’s operating a spaceship, but I see the smile flit across her face at Owen’s words.

“There’s your baby.” She turns on a switch and the sound of our baby’s heartbeat fills the room.

In that moment, I forget everything beyond my baby and its fast-beating heart. I’ve seen hundreds of sonograms, but this is different. This time, Nugget is mine.

I lift a finger, tracing along the screen as the baby moves its arms. It’s love at first sight.

Wiping away tears that I know are happy—finally—I steal a gaze at Owen. The look on his face is priceless, his own eyes bright with emotion.

Our gazes hold, and he presses a kiss to my forehead. I’ve never seen the smile that decorates his face before. I hope our baby has his beautiful eyes.

“It’s nice to see the father so involved,” Harriet states with a knowing smile. “You must be excited, Dr. Stevens.”

“See, Tally? Everyone else sees it. Now, I just need you to see it,” Owen whispers, his mouth against my skin.

Harriet stands, printing out a copy of our baby. “It’s obvious. The way he’s looking at you and your baby, there’s no way heisn’tthe father. He’s in love. With both of you.”

32

Owen

“Ihave an entire evening planned,” I blurt as we walk out of the office, my hand holding Tally firm. I feel like I’m hopped up on speed after seeing my baby for the first time, and I’m beyond desperate to get the woman I love home to prove how much I miss her.

“Do you?” Tally offers me a smile, but it’s forced, like most of her smiles lately. In fact, the first real one I’ve seen since the whole Charlotte debacle was when she gazed at the monitor and saw our baby.

Our baby.

It’s crazy, but it’s so right. I always knew I wanted kids; I just didn’t want them with Charlotte. But with Tally, there’s no hesitancy. Only joy.

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