Page 26 of A Baby for Christmas
I shook my head. "No, maybe finding out the sex is gonna help me get used to the idea that there'll be an actual baby in our lives soon." So much was going to change. Robin and I had to move together, for one. We'd decided that we were going to make my place work for us for the short term, until we could find a suitable—and affordable—house we both liked. It wasn't going to be easy, but I knew we were going to make it.Together.
"Alright then." The doctor smiled, glanced at the monitor again and then back at us. "Congratulations," he said. "It's agirl."
"A girl!" Robin exclaimed, his head snapping to me. "Did you hearthat?"
"Sure did." A grin formed on my lips at the expression on Robin's face. He was so happy. Surely that was worth any trouble we could encounter down the road? Besides, I was happy too, when I let myself breathe and stop panicking for a moment. We were going to have a little girl. Even though a tiny part of me was still worried about whether or not I was going to be a decent parent, deep down I already knew I was going to do everything in my power to protect ourgirl.
I couldn't imagine anythingelse.
When we were done at the doctor's office—Robin and the baby passed the check-up with flying colors—we decided to get Cooper and spend the rest of the day at the park. The days were finally warming up and it would have been a waste to stay cooped up indoors—even if I could think of some indoors activities to enjoy withRobin.
Cooper was glad to get out too. The moment I appeared on Lorene's doorstep, he dashed toward me on his short little corgi legs, barking like a dog two times his size. "Did you think I was gonna leave you here, buddy?" I asked, getting down on my knees to hug the excited dog. "Wanna go to thepark?"
Cooper barked again as if he understood thequestion.
"Sounds like he's on board," Robincommented.
"He's been a good boy," Lorene said. "Waiting so patiently for his daddy to come back. He deserves hisreward."
"He totally does." I ruffled the fur on Cooper's head before getting up again. "Thanks for watchinghim."
"No problem." She smiled, looking between me and Robin. "How did the doctor's visitgo?"
"It went great." Robin beamed. "We're having agirl."
"Oh, that's wonderful news!" Lorene's smile grew even wider. "I can't wait to see you two as parents. You makesucha cute couple. I'm glad Ben's found someone. We love him at the shelter, but we can't keep him all toourselves."
"I'll share with the shelter," Robin said graciously. "But only if you promise to return him unharmed in theevenings."
I snorted. "Why do you think I'd beharmed?"
"Oh, don't you remember that time you volunteered to build gingerbread houses with the children and got icing all overyou?"
"Oh, I remember that!" Lorene piped up. "He lookedhilarious."
"And like someone who really likes children, right?" Robin's expression turned smug. "I don't know why he so conveniently forgets all the things that tell me he's going to be a greatdad."
I sighed. "I'm working on it,okay?"
"I know." Robin gave me a quick kiss, as if to apologize for teasing me. "You'll dofine."
"I'm sure he will," Lorene said, handing me Cooper's leash and the packet of dog treats I'd left withher.
"Thank you." I picked my dog up, who immediately tried to get at the treats. "We should probably get going now,though."
"Yes, of course, get to the park before the sun sets. We'll talk more at worktomorrow."
"Sure. See youthen."
While I was talking, Robin took the dog treats from me so Cooper couldn't get his paws on them. I grinned at him. More and more I knew we were going to make a greatteam.
When we got to the park, Cooper was so impatient to run into the grass, he nearly tore the leash out of my hands before I could get it offhim.
"Let him run," Robin said. "You got anything we can throw forhim?"
"Uh, I got nothing with me right now, but..." With my eyes, I searched the ground until I found a stick. I picked it up. "This shouldwork."
"Yeah." Robin took it from me. "That shoulddo."
