Page 33 of Matrimonial Merger

“Should we read them?” I asked.

“If they didn’t call us to say anything negative, that’s good, right?”

“We can either wait for the meeting or?—”

“I can’t wait, Daph.”

I beamed. “Then, let’s open them.”

I knew if they sent the results, we’d be alright. That was made clear by our OB. This was the moment we’d find out about the sex of our baby. To me, it didn’t matter, but Iwascurious if Mum’s spidey-senses checked out again.

“I love you, Daphne,” Cal said, opening the email. “Nothing changes here.”

“I know,” I said, watching him scroll.

“No elevated risk, no elevated risk,” he repeated aloud, as if needing a verbal confirmation. He reached the end, just above the sex and said. “I can’t read it.”

“Baby, the worst part is over,”I laughed.

“Well, I… you read it.”

I obliged, smiling as it confirmed what Mum thought.

“Well, Mum was right. We’re having a girl.”

And with that, Cal swept me up in a big kiss. “I’m so excited, Daph!”

I laughed, taking his face in my hands. “I am, too.”

“She’s going to be spoiled within an inch of her life—by all of us.”

“I cannot wait,” I admitted. “It’s perfect somehow.”

Somehow, everything felt bigger and brighter. This baby was really happening. I was going tofinallybe a mother—with the person I trusted most. I’d chosen well. The timing mattered less than ever. This was meant to be.

Cal

“Cal, hello!”

I looked up as Judge Mahony appeared in the doorway. “Your assistant said?—”

I stood, holding out my hand. “Thanks for coming by, John.”

“It’s been too long. I had you on my docket. They said your date changed?—”

“I knew we invited you to the party tomorrow,” I said. “But you are the officiant. So… can you officiate?”

“Of course. Your date was always held?—”

I shook my head. “No. Tomorrow night. I decided to surprise Daphne tonight. She’s expecting and… doesn’t want to be big-as-a-house pregnant when we do this.”

He did a double-take. “That is a… bold move. Are you sure?—”

“Her family has been helping me. They even helped with the dress. It was the whole reason I started thinking about it. And my sister?—”

“She really doesn’t know?” John asked.

“No. I was going to surprise her?—”

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