Page 97 of Hat Trick Daddies

Brooks grabs my arm, and we end up in a full-on scuffle, both of us laughing as he tries to wrestle the remote from me.My elbow catches the edge of the couch, sending the remote tumbling to the floor.

Before either of us can grab it, Nick swoops in, snatching it up with a triumphant grin. “Amateurs,” he says, holding it out of reach.

Brooks and I groan, dropping back into our seats. “What are you gonna put on? Don’t you dare,” I start, but Nick cuts me off, pressing a button on the remote.

The news flickers onto the screen, a somber anchor droning on about the stock market.

“Seriously?” Brooks and I say in unison, glaring at Nick.

He just shrugs, leaning back with a smug look. “Better than fake drama or plate armor.”

“You’re a buzzkill,” I mutter, crossing my arms as Brooks shakes his head in mock disappointment.

But before I can start another argument, the sound of footsteps descending the stairs catches my attention.

Ally enters the room, her damp hair falling in soft waves over her shoulders.

She’s wearing a simple T-shirt and leggings, but to me, she might as well be wearing a crown. The scent of apples and a hint of floral perfume lingers as she walks past.

“Morning,” she says, her voice still soft from sleep. She heads to the kitchen, pouring herself a cup of coffee.

I can’t take my eyes off her as she sits down on the couch beside me, cradling the mug in her hands. “You look amazing,” I say, the words slipping out before I can think twice.

She laughs softly, her cheeks tinged pink. “Thanks, Ty.”

Brooks leans forward, his expression warm. “We’re all excited for today. It’s a big deal, Ally.”

Nick nods in agreement. “We’re finally gonna see the baby. You ready for all of us to hover like a bunch of nervous dads?”

She smiles, leaning into Brooks’ shoulder. “I’m ready.”

Each of us takes a turn kissing her cheeks or forehead, our affection spilling over like a flood. After a few minutes, Brooks claps his hands. “All right, let’s move. We’ve got an appointment to get to.”

We pile into Nick’s large SUV, Ally settling in the front seat while Brooks and I take the back. The drive is short. Ally hums softly to herself, tapping her fingers on the armrest in time with the soft music playing on the radio.

When we pull into the parking lot, the receptionist eyes us curiously as we all trail in behind Ally. Her expression doesn’t go unnoticed as Ally mentions, “They’re all on my paperwork as family.”

The receptionist raises an eyebrow but says nothing, directing us to take a seat.

The waiting room is brightly lit and smells faintly of antiseptic and coffee. The air hums with low chatter and the rustle of magazines.

When the nurse calls Ally’s name, we stand as one, drawing even more attention. She glances at us, smirking. “Wow, never had someone bring a paparazzi with them.”

“Better get used to it,” I joke, but inside, I’m nervous. My eyes flick to the machines in the examination room as we follow Ally back, my stomach doing little flips.

This is real. We’re about to see the baby,ourbaby, and I can barely contain the mixture of fear and excitement bubbling inside me.

The nurse smiles warmly as she asks Ally the standard questions. “Have you had any bleeding, cramping, or unusual pain?”

Ally shakes her head, her voice steady but soft. “No, everything has been normal so far.”

I stand close to her, the cold, clinical air of the room prickling my skin.

Ally lays back on the examination table, her hands resting over her belly. The paper sheet beneath her crinkles as she shifts slightly. The room feels small, almost crowded, as Brooks, Nick, and I hover nearby, watching the nurse work.

The nurse pulls out a tube of clear gel, squeezing a generous amount onto Ally’s stomach. It gleams under the soft fluorescent lights, and Ally flinches at the coolness, her lips twitching into a small smile.

The nurse takes out the wand connected to the ultrasound machine, gently pressing it against Ally’s skin.

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