Page 46 of Claiming My Grumpy Ex

The nurse called my name, and we all stood up. Jake immediately reached for Cory’s hand, and my heart swelled at the sight. Together, we followed the nurse into the cozy exam room.

“Alright, let’s get you comfortable,” the technician said, her cheerful tone immediately putting me at ease. I settled onto the table and took a deep breath. The familiar crinkle of the paper beneath me always stirred anxiety.

Jake hopped onto the stool beside Cory, his legs swinging as he watched the technician set up the machine. “Do you think it’s a boy or a girl?” he asked no one in particular.

“We won’t know that for a while yet,” I said with a laugh. “Right now, we’re just excited to see the baby and hear the heartbeat.”

The technician smiled as she dimmed the lights slightly. “Alright, let’s take a look,” she said, spreading the cool gel across my belly. Jake leaned forward, his eyes wide with curiosity, as the monitor flickered to life.

“There!” she said, pointing to the screen. “There’s your little one.”

Jake gasped, his hands gripping the edge of the stool. “That’s it? That’s my baby brother or sister?”

“That’s it,” Cory said, his voice thick with emotion. He reached for my hand, squeezing it gently as we both stared at the tiny figure moving on the screen.

I blinked back tears, a bit overwhelmed. “Look,” I whispered. “Our baby is moving so much already.”

The technician chuckled. “Looks like you’ve got an active one. Everything looks perfect so far.” She moved the wand slightly, capturing more angles. “And here’s the heartbeat.”

The steady, rhythmic sound filled the room, and Jake’s face lit up. “That’s the baby’s heart? It sounds so fast!”

“That’s normal,” the technician reassured him. “Babies’ hearts beat a lot faster than ours.”

She paused, glancing at us. “So, do you have names picked out yet?”

Cory and I exchanged a glance, both of us shaking our heads. “Not yet,” I said.

Jake, of course, didn’t hesitate. “If it’s a girl, Chloe. If it’s a boy, Ben. Easy!”

The technician laughed. “Well, those are great options. You’re ahead of the game.”

Cory ruffled Jake’s hair as Jake grinned up at him. “We’ll have to give those some serious thought, huh?”

The technician continued taking measurements, and her tone was light and conversational. “You’re right on track at nine weeks,” she said, satisfied with her work. “Everything looks good. I’ll print some pictures for you to take home.”

As the printer whirred, Jake leaned toward Cory. “Can I hold the pictures? Please?”

Cory grinned. “Of course, Bud. Just make sure you don’t crumple them.”

Jake nodded earnestly as the technician handed him the prints, his hands careful as if he were holding something precious.

“You’re all set,” she said, helping me sit up. “Congratulations again.”

“Thank you,” I said, feeling the words fall short of expressing the joy I felt.

We walked back out to the car, Jake still buzzing with excitement. As we reached the truck, he tugged on Cory’s sleeve.

“Can we get our Christmas tree now?” he asked, his face glowing. “We saw the baby, so we should celebrate!”

Cory glanced at me with a sideways smile. “What do you think, Elena? Up for some Christmas cheer?”

I laughed, the sound light and free. “Why not? Today’s already been perfect.”

Jake let out a whoop, climbing into the SUV with a grin that could light up the world.

The tree lot was alive with activity, a cheerful chaos of families laughing, children darting between the rows, and couples debating over which tree was the best. The crisp winter air carried the sharp, earthy scent of pine mixed with the faint sweetness of hot cocoa from a vendor near the entrance.

Jake bolted ahead with wide eyes as he took in the towering rows of evergreens. “Come on!” he called, waving us forward. “We have to find the perfect one!”

---