Page 122 of Consummation

The tech puts the wand on my belly and moves it around and, suddenly, we’re met with the unmistakable image of an actualbaby.

“Holy crap,” I say. “That’s abaybay!”

“Oh my God,” Josh says. “Definitely not a kumquat.”

“Quite different than the first sonogram, isn’t it?” the doctor says. She begins pointing out various body parts, all of which, she says, look perfectly formed and right on track.

“Oh, thank God,” I say, sighing with relief. “I was really worried I’d hurt the poor thing with too much partying before I knew.”

“Well, this should put you at ease, then,” the doctor says, patting my hand. “So, do you want to know the baby’s gender?”

“Heck yeah,” Josh says. “That’s the dangling carrot we used to lure Uncle Jo Jo and Auntie Sarah to this shindig.”

“Do you already know?” I ask.

“I sure do. The baby’s legs are spread wide and I’ve got an unimpeded view.” The doctor pauses for effect. “Any guesses?”

“Girl,” Sarah says calmly.

The doctor nods. “Yep. Congratulations. You’re having a baby girl.”

Tears spring into my eyes.

“Oh my God,” Josh breathes. He leans down and kisses me. “I love you, Kat.”

“I love you, too,” I whisper into his lips.

“I was hoping for a girl so much,” Josh says.

I’m shocked to hear Josh say that—don’t all big, athletic men secretly hope for a boy who’ll grow up to play on the Seahawks one day? But when I look at Josh and see the moment he’s sharing withJonas, I suddenly understand completely—this baby’s a tribute to their late mother in heaven, a baby girl to keep their mother’s memory alive.

Josh and I haven’t discussed baby names yet—in fact, several times I’ve told Josh I was too freaked out about the booze and pot thing to think about baby names until I was sure everything was okay—but now that I’ve seen our baby girl growing inside me—and especially now that I’m witnessing the expressions of emotion on both Josh and Jonas’ faces, there’s only one name I’d even consider.

“Grace,” I blurt.

Josh’s face lights up. “Grace,” Josh repeats reverently, nodding. He bends down to kiss me. “Thank you.”

I mumble “of course” into Josh’s lips, but my words are incomprehensible.

“Grace Louise?” Josh asks, pulling away suddenly from my mouth.

“Perfect,” I say, smiling.

“Aw,” Sarah says. “That’s so sweet. Gracie Louise Faraday.”

“Hey, Doctor,” Jonas says, putting his arm around Sarah. “Are you sure? I’ve heard stories of people painting a room pink based on the sonogram and then giving birth to a boy.”

“Oh, I’m positive,” Dr. Gupta says. She points to the sonogram screen. “See between her legs there? Definitely no penis. The baby’s made it really easy for us by spreading her legs wide.”

Josh snickers.

“Don’t say it,” I warn sharply, slapping his arm.

“Don’t say what?” Josh says, grinning.

“You know what.”

Josh chuckles and kisses me tenderly. “Babe,” he says. “I would never make a crass joke about my baby girl making it easy just like her hot momma does for me every night—because that would be rude and inappropriate. But, just so you know, if I ever do compare our beautiful daughter to her gorgeous mommy in any way, shape or form, I’llalwaysmean it as the highest compliment, no matter what.”

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