Page 75 of Together

“Oh yes, it is,” Dr. Fletcher explains. “Congratulations, you two. You’re having a boy.”

“We’re having a boy,” I repeat, stupid tears building once again. I feel like that’s all I do sometimes. That and eat.

I guess the baby and I should get along great then. Eat. Cry. Poop. I do that, too.

“We’re having a boy!” Nik practically shouts, making both Dr. Fletcher and I laugh.

“I take it this is good news?”

He looks a little sheepish for his outburst. “Hey, I was beyond happy that the baby was healthy. The fact that I know what to do with his parts when it’s my turn to change his diaper is a huge bonus.”

“Well, you’re in good hands, there, Mama. If he’s already talking about changing diapers, you found yourself a good one.”

Nik beams and I roll my eyes.

“Oh, brother. Don’t stroke his ego. He’s confident enough as it is.”

Dr. Fletcher shakes her head, laughing at the two of us. While she has been doing the ultrasound, she also clicked a few buttons to take pictures and print them out.

Once she’s finished, she wipes my stomach clean of the goo, hands the pictures to us, and leaves us alone.

I’m still lying back on the table, but this time I’m staring up at pictures of my son. We have them from his first ultrasound, too, but this time it feels different. Maybe simply because now I know without a doubt that it’s a boy? I’m not sure.

“Amazing,” Nik says beside me, looking at the pictures, too.

“It really is.”

“Julius is still off the table. So is Fraser.” He stands up and helps me from the table, too.

“I wasn’t saying anything.”

“I could sense it. You were looking at the pictures and thinking names. I’m not naming my child after an Outlander character or your favorite orange drink when you went to the mall as a kid.”

“You’re so boring! You probably want to name him like George or something.”

“First of all, George is a fine name. It’s classic for a reason. But no, I’d think of him like Curious George, the monkey, and that’s not going to work. Second of all, yeah, I do want aboringname.” His lips twist and he amends, “Not boring so much as strong. Timeless. A name that’s lasting and can be carried down to the next generation if he chooses. More traditional without being dull.”

“Timeless. I like that idea.”

After making sure we have my next appointment scheduled, we walk to his truck and just like every time since my twelve-week appointment, we go to the grocery store and get the items on our lists.

As we’re walking through the store, this time sharing a cart, I glance over at Nik, watching him without him knowing.

The way he described the name that we will choose for our baby… he’s been thinking about it. I knew this already, in fact, I knew already that he thinks about us quite often. It’s obvious he thinks about more than just the baby’s name, though.

It’s not hard to see that he’s protective of us both. The way he came storming into the house today wasn’t because he was being rude. It was because he was worried. My door was unlocked and I wasn’t answering. Of course, he would wonder what was going on.

He doesn’t blink at making sure I have everything I need, and it doesn’t end with groceries and car washes. He looks online with me at houses my real estate agent sends me even though none of them are very interesting, researches what the best car seat and crib are so I don’t have to. He schedules pregnancy massages and pedicures for me on my day off just so I have time to relax.

The list is long and makes me feel unworthy of this wonderful man.

Grace had asked me if I thought Nik would stay around if the baby wasn’t a factor.

At the time, I told her that we were still exploring what we are and it was too new to answer a question like that.

As much as the question annoyed me at the time, I would welcome it now.

Because I know he would still be with me. What Nik and I have, what we’re building, is more than just two people having a baby together. It’s deeper and stronger.

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