Page 65 of Billion Dollar Baby Deal

Entering the building, Sophie felt her anger melt away. Excitement filled her, her leg bouncing up and down in the waiting room as she waited to be called.

Noah seemed to be in better spirits as well. If it was real or for her sake, she didn’t know. But she was grateful.

Thankfully, it was the same woman who was with them last time. Pam. She started off with a couple questions before asking Sophie to lay down on the table.

Sophie lifted her shirt as instructed and allowed Pam to tuck the towel into her waistband. Noah pulled up a seat to be closer to her.

Despite her earlier annoyance, she was happy he was here.

Pam squirted a glob of gel on her stomach and began to move the wand around. Soon the heartbeat sounded on the machine, and it was overwhelmingly comforting.

“Sounds nice and strong,” Pam noted with a smile. “Everything looks good. Would you guys like to know the gender?”

Sophie and Noah shared a look before giving her a nod.

Yes.Sophie grabbed his hand unconsciously and squeezed.

Pam smiled, turning the screen so that they could see. “It’s a boy.”

A boy.Tears welled in Sophie’s eyes.

She saw Noah’s face light up as well, if only slightly.

“We’re having a boy!” she exclaimed.

He kissed her hand in a supportive manner. “We’re having a boy,” he repeated joyfully.

It was just for show, Sophie reminded herself. Noah couldn’t care less.

Pam pointed out some anatomical things on the monitor before wiping the gel from Sophie’s belly. “All set,” she told them.

Sophie set up and adjusted her top. Noah handed her her jacket and they headed back to the car.

He didn’t start the car immediately, turning to face her instead. “Should we celebrate?”

“I’m actually going to my parents’ house for dinner,” she told him. “Would you like to come? I know my dad has been asking about you.”

“Maybe another night,” he replied.

“You know, you never told me how your golf date with my dad went. He sure had a lot to say about you,” Sophie pointed out. She had wondered but never asked, fearful that he somehow hated her father. Even though her father had called her immediately after to gush about how much he liked Noah.

“It was good. I liked your dad,” he responded.

That’s it? Sophie felt sorry for her father; it had sounded like they’d enjoyed themselves. Was he just another responsibility in their arrangement?

They returned home and Sophie went to shower and change. She didn’t see Noah again before she left for dinner.

* * *

Sophie made a quick call to Amy on her way over to her parents’ house. She needed to confirm the appointment she had made to get their nails done for the wedding.

Their conversation quickly derailed after that and they began discussing their respective pregnancy experiences. Amy was much further along than Sophie was, due only a week or two after Sophie’s wedding.

“You better stay in there until after I see Soph get married,” she heard Amy tell her stomach.

Sophie laughed as she turned into her parents’ driveway. “Okay, I’m just pulling in, but I’ll see you next week.”

Amy hung up and Sophie parked her car next to her father’s truck.

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