Total pages in book: 81
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 77827 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 389(@200wpm)___ 311(@250wpm)___ 259(@300wpm)
“All right, that’s all set, and now the fun stuff.” Elizabeth grins and turns the monitor so that we can see it. My eyes instantly well with tears. The first time, there were just two small blobs, but now, they’re more defined, and it’s overwhelming in the best way.
“Damn,” Macklin mutters, pulling my hands to his lips for a kiss.
“Here’s Baby A. That’s the heartbeat.” Elizabeth starts pointing out the features. “Ready for the reveal?” she asks.
“Yes,” we say in unison, our grins stretched wide.
“Baby A is a boy.”
“A boy,” I repeat, tears flowing down my cheeks. I glance at my husband, and his eyes are on me. “Another little cowboy.” I smile, and he leans over and presses his lips to mine.
“A boy,” he breathes against my lips.
“Okay, Baby B,” Elizabeth says brightly. She goes through the same routine, pointing out features, taking more pictures, and then asks us if we’re ready.
“We’re ready,” Macklin tells her.
“Baby B is a girl.” She smiles. “Congratulations.”
“A girl,” Macklin says with so much reverence, and a sob breaks free from my chest. “Bay, we’re having a boy and a girl,” he says, his eyes wide with excitement, his own emotions making his eyes glassy.
“One of each.” I smile at him. “Our perfect little family.”
“Fuck,” he rasps softly, before his lips press to mine.
“All right,” Elizabeth says, pulling us out of the moment. “Here are some tissues to wipe off your belly.” She hands them to Macklin, and he gets to work. “I’ll leave these photos here on the counter for you. They’re marked with Baby A and Baby B so you can tell which is which. Take your time getting dressed. The doctor will want to get her own measurements, but she can do that by lifting your shirt. Congrats, Mom and Dad.” She waves before stepping out of the room.
We’re quiet as Macklin helps me slide off the table and get dressed, then he lifts me back up, and steps between my legs, his palms resting against my cheeks. “I love you, Baylor McBride. I love our babies, and this—” His voice cracks. “Fuck, baby, I don’t even know how to tell you what you mean to me. The words, I don’t think they exist. For so long, I dreamed of this life with you… and it’s better than I ever could have imagined. You and these babies, our son and our daughter, you’re everything.”
I nod because there’s a lump in my throat, and I can’t speak. Instead, I wrap my arms around him, holding him tightly. The doctor knocks on the door, and the rest of our check-up goes by quickly. The babies are growing as they should be, and everything looks great. We schedule our next appointment, and Macklin leads me out to the truck, lifting me up and helping me buckle in before closing the door softly.
Once he’s behind the wheel, he starts the truck, getting the air blasting and pointing in my direction, before he asks, “How do you want to tell everyone?”
“Let’s call your parents, and we can text everyone and have them over for dinner tonight. Something easy. Just throw some burgers on the grill or order pizza or something.”
“Pizza,” he answers. “I know you’ve been craving that a lot lately.”
“These two will eat anything,” I laugh, rubbing my belly.
“Okay, you text everyone, and then we’ll call my parents.”
“Done.” Grabbing my phone out of my purse, I start a new group chat with Macklin, my sisters, Copeland, Sophia, and I add Bowen and Dixon.
* * *
Me: Dinner at our place tonight?
Courtlynn: Did you find out the genders?
Leighton: The wait is killing me.
Copeland: Lainey says she doesn’t care. She just wants little cousins to play with.
Ellison: When did our daughter start talking in full sentences?
Copeland: I’m her dad, I know these things.
Bowen: Cope, bud, it’s a little too early to be hitting the sauce.
Dixon: It’s all the pink. It’s gotten to him.
Sophia: I’m in. What time?
Me: Six.
Courtlynn: Do we have to wait that long?
Bowen: You’ll survive, brat.
Courtlynn: Bowen, you’re uninvited.
Bowen: Nice try. I’ll be there, Bay.
Dixon: I’m in.
Ellison: We’ll be there, too.
Leighton: What they said.
Me: Great. We’ll see you tonight. We’re just going to order pizza.
Bowen: I’ll take care of it. I’ll have my cook hook us up.
Courtlynn: Kiss ass.
Me: Court…
Me: Thank you, Bowen.
Bowen: Ha!
Me: Bowen…
Macklin: Best behavior, you two. My wife doesn’t need the stress.
* * *
I glance over at Macklin, and he’s grinning.
* * *
Me: Don’t be late!
* * *
I close out of the message and shove my phone back into my purse. I’m sure the shit-talking will keep going, but we have a phone call to make.
“Ready?” I ask Macklin. He nods, dials his parents, and the phone rings through his truck’s speakers.
“Son,” his dad answers.
“Hey, Dad. Is Mom with you?”
“Yeah, hold on. Honey! It’s Mac,” his dad calls.