Page 81 of One Timer With A Wingman

CHAPTERTWENTY-EIGHT

Briar

The past week went by in a blur of Aaron sleeping in my bed every night to him leaving for the Frozen Four. He wanted me to come with him to Minnesota, but I had two shifts at Black Jack’s, and it was still important for me to pay for my room in the house. I did watch the game online and Riverside kicked Boston’s ass in the final, even though there were a few moments I held my breath.

Now it is ultrasound day. Aaron has his mom on FaceTime as the technician squirts a warm jelly on my belly.

“We will be checking the baby’s growth and development and looking at all the organs,” the technician explains.

“By organ, do you mean sex of the baby?” Aaron asks.

Aaron and I spoke about it and we want to know the sex of the baby.

“We can let you know, but the clinic has a policy of giving you the results in an envelope at the end of the appointment,” she clarifies.

“We would like to know,” I confirm.

Aaron smiles at me. “Maybe you can see the results when the tech checks the baby. Your dad and I could tell you were a boy, if you know what I mean,” Mrs. Murray says on FaceTime.

“We’ll try to see,” Aaron says, and he winks at me.

His mom has been slowly losing use of her right arm. Her deteriorating situation has been so hard on Aaron. She’s also really excited for the baby, so we thought it would be nice to include her in on the appointment since she couldn’t be here.

The tech moves the ultrasound transducer she is holding over my belly.

“Nugget looks like a real baby now,” Aaron observes.

I sigh, looking at the screen. I was so disappointed when I had to stop doing gymnastics, but this nugget has brought joy to my life. Nugget has also brought Aaron and me closer together. He’s been there for me and that feeling, although new and scary, feels really good. Life isn’t lonely these days since I’ve been living with Aaron and my friends. They all keep trying to feed me and take care of me.

“This is the area between the legs,” the technician points out with a grin. She’s showing us the sex of the baby without showing us.

“If you don’t see anything there, it’s probably a girl,” Mrs. Murray chimes.

“Holy shit, Mom, there’s a penis. Look, Briar, do you see the penis?” Aaron asks. He’s grinning wide and he looks like he just won the lottery.

“I see it.” I laugh.

“It’s a boy,” Aaron cheers. “Even though, for the record, I would’ve been happy with a little girl too. As long as the baby is healthy.”

“Everything looks good,” the tech smiles.

“Wow, this is so exciting. They’re having a boy,” Aaron’s mom says. His dad appears on the screen a moment later so Aaron pulls the camera off me, which I appreciate.

“Congratulations,” his dad says.

“We can’t wait to see you guys this weekend,” Mrs. Murray adds.

“Us too,” I say, although I don’t know if they heard me.

“All done,” the tech states. “The envelope will be at reception. You can get dressed.”

She leaves and Aaron leans over and kisses me.

“I’ll talk to you guys later,” he says to his parents. He ends the FaceTime call with them.

“Now we can start thinking of names,” I say.

“Definitely, even though Nugget was kind of growing on me,” he says.

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