Page 53 of The Complication with the Best Man

I glance at Finn, but he’s not looking at me. His attention is wholly fixed on the screen with a look of awe. “Yes, please.”

She does something to the machine, then a whooshing sound rings through the room.

“It sounds really fast, is that okay?” I bite my bottom lip.

“It’s perfectly normal. It’s a strong heartbeat.”

Finn’s hand slips into mine, squeezing it. I glance up to find him looking at me, a serious expression on his face, then he gives me a small smile.

I squeeze his hand back. “That’s our baby.”

His nostrils flare, and he nods before looking back at the screen.

My aunt finishes up the ultrasound, and it’s only then that Finn and I realize we’re still holding hands. He drops my hand, seeming uncomfortable, and goes to sit back down in the chair.

“Do you know the due date?” he asks.

She nods. “Based on when you said your last period started and when you’re sure you conceived, I think we have a pretty accurate date.”

She tells us the date, and I smile. An April baby.

“I’m going to send you to the lab to give a blood and urine sample to make sure everything looks okay there, though I don’t see any reason to expect any issues. You can make your next appointment on your way out.”

“Thanks so much, Aunt Stella.”

She smiles and gives me a hug. “I’m excited that there will be a new member of the family.” Then she turns to Finn. “It was wonderful to meet you. I’m sure I’ll be seeing you often.”

He thanks her, then she leaves us alone in the room.

Finn and I stare at each other for a beat, some kind of emotion swirling between us, but I can’t quite put my finger on it.

He clears his throat and stands. “I’ll let you get changed. Meet you in the waiting area.”

Before I can say anything, he’s out the door, closing it behind him.

I can’t read him because I don’t know him well enough yet, but I plan to change that.

twenty-one

FINN

Iplunk down in a seat in the waiting area knowing that today will be marked in my memory as a defining moment in my life. There will be a before and after to hearing my child’s heartbeat for the first time. For really comprehending that Harper and I are bringing another human being into the world.

Well, let’s face it, she’s doing all the work. I only participated in the fun part.

I couldn’t have predicted how much hearing the heartbeat would affect me. How close it would make me feel to Harper.

She walks out of the office, and I watch her make her way down the hall to check out, picking up the paperwork she needs for the lab and making her next appointment. When she’s done, she makes her way to me, smiling. God, that fucking smile. It’s like a ray of sun cutting through the thickest winter clouds.

I stand and meet her halfway.

“The receptionist gave me this to give to you.” She holds out a purple sticky note.

I take it and look down, seeing the name Kingston in feminine script and a phone number.

“It’s my uncle who’s the firefighter. Aunt Stella left it for you. Said he’ll be expecting your call.”

It’s hard to get used to what a large family Harper has. It’s as though she has a contact for literally anything. I wish I didn’t have to call in a favor this early, but I can’t afford to let my pride get in the way. There’s a baby coming this spring.

---