Total pages in book: 124
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 119476 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 597(@200wpm)___ 478(@250wpm)___ 398(@300wpm)
“And here’s baby’s—”
The door to the room flings open and Ellis barges in, fully in uniform.
“What in the actual hell?” Scarlet shrieks as Atlas asks, “Is everything okay?”
“Did I miss it?” he asks, frantically looking from my bare belly to the screen to Scarlet. “Am I an uncle or an aunt?”
“An idiot, that’s what you are. An absolute idiot.” If looks could kill, Scarlet would have eviscerated Ellis on the spot.
“Didn’t know you were joining us,” Atlas says mildly, once it’s clear nothing is wrong.
“I invited him.” I duck my head. “I guess I forgot to mention it. Sorry.”
Atlas grins. “Should’ve known. You two are like peanut butter and jelly.”
“No,” Ellis scoffs. “We’re popcorn and movie theater butter.”
“Oh my God, I’m surrounded by morons.” Scarlet rolls her eyes. “Can we please get on with it? We do have other patients…”
My cheeks burn with embarrassment. She’s right, I’m not her only patient, and both she and Dr. Snider are giving up their lunch hour for me. The least I could do—again—is be respectful of their time.
“Sorry, Scarlet.” I recline back against the paper-covered pillow. “We’ll be good.”
She gives me a tight smile. “As I was saying, here’s baby’s heartbeat.”
A gentle whooshing sound fills the room, bringing tears to my eyes. Seriously, that is the best sound I’ve ever heard.
“Hey, Scar,” Atlas whispers. “You think I can record that?”
Maybe it’s a trick of the light, but I swear, her eyes get a little bit misty. “Go for it.”
With the hand that isn’t holding mine, Atlas slides his phone out of his pocket and begins recording the sound of our baby’s heartbeat.
“Damn, that’s my favorite sound.” His voice is thick with emotion, which only feeds into how I’m feeling, and before I know it, tears are rolling down my cheeks.
“Don’t cry, Pip.” Atlas slides his phone back into his pocket and then wipes away my tears.
“I’m not sad.” Truly, I’m not. If anything, I’m the happiest I’ve ever been. “Promise.”
“If you’re done crying, we can check and see if baby will give us a peek at the goods.”
“Anyone ever tell you that you’re kind of a bitch?” Ellis asks, steepling his hands beneath his chin.
“Anyone ever tell you that only guys with small dicks call women bitches?” she fires back.
“We playing two truths and a lie or something?” He leans back in his chair, crossing his legs so that his right ankle rests on his left knee. “If so, let me think of something else true, because everything you just said was a damn lie.”
“I swear to God—”
“Children!” Atlas growls, cutting her off. “I’d like to know if I’m about to have a son or a daughter, so if y’all could just save your fucking foreplay for later, that’d be great.”
I lean over and grab Atlas’s hand, pressing a soft kiss to his knuckles.
He mouths my three favorite words—I love you—and then turns his attention back toward the screen.
“It’s not foreplay,” Ellis mumbles, but Scarlet just glares.
The room falls quiet as she rolls the wand over my belly. “Sure is active. Wiggling and rolling all around in there.”
Atlas beams. “I made her drink some OJ with breakfast.”
“Aren’t you just a peach—oh hey, look!” She snaps a still image and freezes the screen. “Looks like y’all are having a baby boy!”
“I’m going to be an uncle!” Ellis claps his hands as he springs up from his chair. “Congrats, you two, I gotta bounce.”
“You won’t be missed, Officer Jackass,” Scarlet says, but he’s already out the door.
“Really?” I ask, even though the evidence is plain as day. “A boy?”
“Yup.” Scarlet’s lips curl in the most genuine smile I’ve ever seen from her. “Congrats, Nora.”
“Hot damn,” Atlas murmurs. “We’re having a boy, Pip. Guess we need to start talking about names, huh?” His cheeks turn a deep pink color. “I mean, uh, if you want my input, that is.”
“Of course, I do.” I squeeze his hand. “We’re in this together, right?”
He grins, and I swear, I feel it all the way down to my toes. “Damn straight we are.”
DIARY ENTRY, PRESENT DAY
Dear Diary,
A boy. We’re having a boy. A sweet baby boy. A sweet, healthy, baby boy.
Scarlet said everything is measuring just right and his heartbeat sounded strong and steady. I need to remember to ask Atlas to send me the recording.
Our baby boy needs a name besides jellybean. I want to ask Atlas to help me come up with something. Maybe I will tonight… on our date.
Is it weird that I’m nervous? I’m eighteen, pregnant, and going on my first date. I’d say a therapist would have a field day with me, but Maggie’s never been anything but professional. Still, I bet I’m one heck of a case.
Some days, it feels like my life is the plot of one of those Lifetime movies Mama liked so much.