Page 65 of Little Nightmare

She smiled over at me. “Well, we’re here to find out what we’re working with so just lean back, there you go. Are you the father?”

She asked Ace.

Was he shaking? I hoped to God he said he was because we couldn’t let it get out that he wasn’t, that would defeat the whole point. “Yes. I am.”

The room probably felt my giant exhale. I clutched his hand like it was my lifeline and I told myself it was because I was thankful not because I needed him.

“Mmmm, let’s hope this one has daddy’s good looks then, hmm?” She released an amused laugh. “I haven’t seen a man so tall in a while.”

Because I’m sure that’s what everyone thought when they saw him, how tall he was. I’m sure it was easy to look past that perfect jaw, the piercing eyes, wide open smile when he was really happy and sexy scowl when he wanted to chase. His height might as well be the least shocking thing about him.

“Alright, it’ s going to be a bit warm, tell me if it’s too much.” Too soon she was rubbing oil on my belly with the wand.

Tears slid down my cheeks. Please let there be a baby. What if my body just conjured up something? What if this was all for nothing?

What if I had nothing left?

The silence was painful as she ran it around and flicked something on. Immediately I heard it, like a thousand little wings taking flight. “Do you hear that?”

“Yeah.” I sniffled.

“Strong heartbeat, this baby, he or she seems to be hiding a bit oh, there we go.” She stopped the wand and kept tapping on her keyboard. “Right now I’m just getting a few angles look at that.” She circled a dot. “That’s your baby, congrats Mom and Dad.”

Ace let go of my hand and leaned over my body to stare at the screen. “That’s him or her? Right there?”

“Right there.” She pointed again.

Ace’s smile could not be more gorgeous as he stared at another man’s baby knowing it would call him Dad and whispered, “I see you.”

I didn’t know why it was the most romantic thing I’d ever witnessed.

But it was.

Ace wasn’t watching me.

He was watching what was growing inside of me.

And he was claiming it as his own.

The joy of the moment lasted the entire hour-long appointment—and then we got to the car.

He turned on the ignition and looked behind us even though he had back up cameras, then ahead, then behind, then took a deep breath. “I know this is going to sound crazy, but I think I forgot how to drive.”

“A car?” Perplexed, I leaned over the console to get closer.

He turned. “I think anything at this point? A car. A truck. Give me a bike, and I’ll probably stare at it too. I think I just need a minute.”

“Is the baby freaking you out?” My stomach sank. “Because I could understand, this is a lot in the last few days?—”

He held up his hand. “Do you know what it feels like?”

“Whatwhatfeels like?” I asked gently.

“To be given a chance to give something so innocent the absolute world you were never given? Do you know what an honor this is?”

Tears welled in my eyes. “You’re going to be a great dad.”

“You’re going to be a great mom,” he whispered.

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