Page 115 of The Last Thing
The tech looks from me to Hallie. “Does everyone want to know?”
“Yes,” Hallie says. “We’d like to know.”
“Okay, then. Let’s get started.”
She squirts some gel on Hallie’s stomach as I turn to Sophia.
“Remember, the baby might not be what you’re hoping for, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to love them any less, right?”
“Right. But it’s going to be a girl.”
The tech laughs under her breath, and I turn to Hallie.
These last few weeks of living with her have been incredible. Now that we’re getting close to Christmas, I’m even more excited. I’m already imagining the perfect Christmas morning with us wrapped in a blanket on the couch while Sophia tears through all her presents. Our first Christmas in our home. We’ve already decided we’re going to start the process of buying the house in the new year. Hallie has plans for a garden in the spring, and Sophia is excited to make a snowman in thebackyard. She also made me promise to get her a sprinkler this summer.
Soph broke in her new bedroom by having a sleepover with Maria and another new friend from their dance class.
I love watching her blossom. I’m sure she could’ve found her way to it without Hallie, but Hallie makes both of us better, and she makes our family whole.
“All right, here’s a look at your baby.”
I take Hallie’s hand as we both watch the screen. Our little peanut is in there kicking and flailing away.
“She’s so cute,” Sophia whispers.
Again, the tech laughs. “I’m going to take some measurements and then we’re going to see if you’re right. But first…” She hits a button and that wonderful whooshing sound fills the room. “One hundred forty-two beats per minute. Perfect.”
The tech gets to measuring as Sophia watches in wonder. I roll the stool I’m sitting on farther up the bed, then give Hallie a quick kiss on the cheek.
“I love hearing the heartbeat,” she murmurs.
“Me too. That’s the heart the two of us created.”
“Ugh, don’t make me cry here.”
I laugh and kiss her forehead, then turn my attention back to the screen. All the measurements show our little one is still hovering around the seventieth percentile.
“Now for the fun part.” The tech basically jabs Hallie in the side with the wand, but Hallie doesn’t show any signs of discomfort. Her eyes are glued to the screen. “Okay, and right here… there’s no penis. Which means?—”
“It’s a girl!” Sophia jumps up and dances around. “I knew it.”
The tech smiles and continues on.
Hallie looks at me. “What do you think? You ready to be a girl dad all over again?”
“Can I tell you a secret? I love being a girl dad. I love taking care of all my girls.”
“We’re going to have you wrapped around our fingers.”
“Like I’m not already?”
“You love it.”
“I do.” I look back at the screen. “I’m excited to do this with you. The first time around… I didn’t really have a partner. Especially once Sophia was born. I’m so excited to have this baby, but I’m even more excited to walk this road with you.”
Hallie blinks rapidly. “Stop saying things like that in the middle of the ultrasound.”
Leaning forward, I kiss her head. “Sorry. I’ll never stop telling you how much I love doing life with you.”
