Page 160 of Cougar

“Deal.”

“Yeah?”

A wide smile stretches across my face and my eyes well up with tears. “Yes.” I jerk my chin toward the nightstand. “See that envelope? That’s for you.”

He smirks as he reaches for it and pulls out the photo. His eyes flick to me and then back down to the sonogram picture. “You know, I didn’t think it was possible to love you more than I already did, but this….” He sniffs and leans forward, resting his forehead against mine. “Thank you.”

“Thank you for loving me. I promise I’ll never take your love for granted.”

* * *

A woman who looks to be in her late forties steps into the room. “Emerson?”

I raise my hand. “That’s me.”

“Hello, I’m Marlene.” She extends her hand to shake mine, then Cam’s.

“Cam Parker,” he introduces himself proudly. “Baby daddy,” he adds, and I snort a laugh.

Marlene giggles. “I know who you are. I’m a fan.”

“Thank you.” He winks. “If you can get some good footage of my baby, I’ll sign anything you want.”

She laughs. “I’ll see what I can do.” She turns her attention to me. “You’re seventeen weeks?”

“That’s what they tell me.”

She snaps on a pair of rubber gloves. “Okay. This is gonna be a little cold.” She squirts the clear gel over my lower belly, then places the ultrasound wand against my abdomen with a little pressure. A whooshing sound immediately fills the room.

Cam straightens in his seat. “What is that?”

“That’s your baby’s heartbeat,” Marlene tells him, and I give his hand a reassuring squeeze.

“There’s your baby.” She points to the image on the screen and I wrinkle my nose. I’m probably in the minority here but 4D ultrasounds creep me out. However, I keep that thought to myself because the expression on Cam’s face is worth every second.

“The baby has your nose,” he says as he stares at the screen, mouth agape.

“Do you want to know the gender?”

Cam looks over at me with raised brows. “Do we?”

I smile and nod. “Yes.”

Marlene points to the screen. “Congratulations, Mom and Dad, it’s a boy.”

Cam’s head jerks to me, his eyes wide and his smile big. “It’s a boy.”

* * *

The next morning I make my way into the kitchen and find Jay and Zach sitting at the island having breakfast. “Good morning, brats,” I singsong, snatching a piece of bacon from the platter as Grace passes me a glass of orange juice. I lean with my backside against the opposite counter. “We have a lot of wedding stuff to go over today. And don’t make any plans for tomorrow tonight because we’re having a family dinner.”

“Mom, please don’t take this the wrong way, but I think you need to cut back on the wine.” She gestures to my stomach. “You got a little pooch going on there. You look pregnant.”

My gaze drops to my stomach and my eyes bug out.Holy shit.It’s like my stomach grew overnight.

“That’s because sheispregnant,” Cam announces as he enters the kitchen. “Good morning, Grace.” He kisses her on the cheek, then makes his way over to me. “Good morning, babe.” He pecks me on the lips, then bends to press a kiss to my belly. “Good morning, little man.”

The sound of silverware clanking against porcelain brings us out of our little baby bubble and back into reality. My attention shifts to Jay to find her face buried in Zach’s chest, shoulders shaking.

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