Page 60 of Capitally Unexpected

We both nod and thank him for his time. Then, it’s the two of us again.

“A girl,” I whisper, and Michelle nods, a huge smile taking over her face. “We better get down to work narrowing thosenames. And should we return the paint? Change the nursery theme?”

“No,” she shakes her head. “I think we should stick with our theme. I’m absolutely going to buy cute headbands for her to wear but also don’t want to put too many gender norms on her from birth. She can be who she’ll be.”

I nod, wondering once again why someone as fan-fucking-tastic as this woman lets me be a part of this.

“Do you mind going to get me a glass of water? They were running liquid through here”—she holds up her hand with an IV in it—“but my throat is so dry. I’d love something to drink.”

“Of course.” I jump up, before bending down to brush a kiss to her forehead. “I’ll be back before you know it.”

Out in the hall, I ask a passing nurse where I can find a glass of water. She tells me she’ll be back with a cup of ice and a cup of water. While I’m waiting, Dr. Munoz comes around the corner.

“Hey, uh, Doc?” I say, flagging him down. “Quick question. About the pelvic rest—if she needs for the rest of the pregnancy, does that mean no ...” I clear my throat and look around. “Sexual stimulation at all for the rest of pregnancy?”

The doctor shows off his bright white teeth with a broad smile. “Hold off on anything until you get to her OB, but it’s likely a restriction on penetration only. Other types of stimulation, and orgasms, should be just fine. Encouraged even.” The doctor winks at me, and I catch the purple, blue, and pink lanyard peeking out of his pocket.

“Right on,” I say, and the doctor claps me on the shoulder before walking away as the nurse returns with our water.

I return to the room where Michelle gladly takes a sip of water before starting to chew on some ice chips. My phone vibrates for the umpteenth time since I’ve been back here, and I pull it out.

“Are you okay if I update everyone to let them know they can go home and we’ll talk to them tomorrow?”

“Everyone?” she asks, looking up from her cup of ice.

“Yeah, Duncan and Hayden were with me when Charlotte found us. I’m guessing Jax is still with them too.”

“They all came?” Her eyes are open with wonder.

“I’m not sure I wouldn’t have vibrated apart without Hayden holding my hand on the way over here,” I say, unashamed to admit the depth of my fear. “But they were so worried too. Of course they’re here.”

“Oh,” Michelle says. “Maybe they can come over for brunch on Sunday?”

I smile and start a new group chat, combining all four of my brothers, plus Charlotte, Jax, and Michelle. Her phone buzzes in her lap, laughing as she unlocks it, and it continues to vibrate with messages coming in fast and furious.

“Welcome to the Brandt brothers group chat, Michelle. It’s possible you’re going to want to mute the thread, but they say brunch on Sunday sounds great, as long as you’re feeling okay.”

Michelle laughs again as she reads all the messages, presumably of everyone sharing their relief at the good news and catching Spencer up on what he’s missed over the past few hours.

A nurse comes through the door and hands me a packet of papers. She moves to remove the IV and tapes gauze over the back of Michelle’s hand. “You’re all set to get dressed and head out whenever you’re ready. Good luck!”

She leaves again, no doubt to tend to someone who needs her attention more than we do. I know I have work to do to win back Michelle’s trust, but for the first time in weeks, I have hope.

Michelle pulls her leggings on and picks up her bag. I walk over and grab the tote from her, swinging it over my shoulder and pulling her into my side. She sighs, a weary sound, and leans into me.

“Hunter?”

“Yeah?” I say, pressing a kiss to the crown of her head, because I can.

“Let’s go home.”

We walk out, side by side, and I’m positive every patient we pass knows we got good news from the size of the smile on my face. Yeah, I think we might be all right.

Chapter

Twenty-Four

Michelle

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