I’ve been naked in front of this woman more times than I can count, but I’ve never felt so exposed before. It makes my shoulders shift uncomfortably, but I don’t slide away. “It’s a problem we need to consider,” I say.
“I’ve considered it.” She nods, holding my gaze. “But Tristian, we also need to consider that I’m healthy. That you’ve found me excellent care. That I have three partners to help me through this.” She lifts our fists, pressing a gentle kiss to the back of my hand. “I have faith in us,” she says, giving me a watery smile, “and I want this to be good, Tris. I want this to be happy. I want to bring this child into a world where we can enjoy our triumphs. Okay?”
I push the hair off her forehead, overcome by a wave of emotion.
God, I love this woman so much.
I just want to bask in that forever, pick her up and carry her out of here to live in ignorant bliss with my two best friends. But there’s a hard tap on the door, and a moment later, the technician is sweeping into the room with the guys right on her heels.
“Everything okay in here?” she asks, lowering the lights.
I take a step back, needing a little air. “We’re good.” Still, when Killian grabs my shoulder, giving me a firm, supportive shake, I let him take a little bit of the weight.
The technician circles the exam table and takes her place on the stool, giving Story an encouraging grin. “Just lift up your shirt when you’re ready.”
Story grabs the hem of her sweater and reveals her belly, shimmying her waistband low. Even though there’s no bump yet, it’s clearly not as flat as it once was, a soft roundness beginning to appear below her bellybutton. Rath takes one of her hands and Killian the other, but I pace at the end of the bed, unable to stand still.
I watch as the technician puts on her gloves and pours a heaping glob of gel on the highest point of Story’s stomach. I glance down as she places the wand in the gel, spreading it around, but the sound of the sonogram, the wishy-washy amplification draws my attention.
Freezing, I ask, “Is that…？” and the technician sends me a grin.
“The heartbeat,” she confirms, adjusting the wand. I wish I had something a little more sentimental or glamorous to compare it to, but the truth is, the rhythm and sound is almost exactly like our washing machine back home—just with a little more echo.
Story tears her eyes away from the monitor to look at me, a gentle awe filling her gaze. “It sounds strong!”
Killian is similarly transfixed, leaning closer to the image on the screen. “I think I see it.”
The technician hums. “Actually, that’s her pancreas. But if we move over a few inches…” The wand presses into her belly, making an indent. “Ah, there it is…” Our gazes all lurch to the screen, but try as I might, I can’t make out anything. The technician does us the favor of pointing out, “Right here, see? That’s the head.”
It takes me a minute to make it out—everything looks so fuzzy and undefined—but when I finally spot it, I nudge in beside Rath and gawk at the image. “There’s only one?”
Story’s hand finds mine, and we knit our fingers together. “Twins run in Tristian’s family,” she explains.
The tech flashes me a look, nodding. “Well, let’s see. Here’s the womb. Here’s the fetus. And…I don’t see another embryo.” She flashes me a gentle grin. “Looks like just one baby for you.”
My shoulders sink in relief.
In a quiet, deep voice, Rath asks, “Is it okay? Is it growing like it’s supposed to?”
The technician hits some buttons, and the screen freezes, like maybe she’s taking still images. “At this stage of development, your baby is beginning to sense light and form taste buds,” she explains, the little blob on the screen coming in and out of focus. “From what I can see here, I’d say everything looks perfectly normal so far.” She raises an eyebrow at Story. “I’m pretty sure I even see the sex.” Looking between the four of us, she asks, “Do you want to know, or would you rather be surprised?”
We haven’t talked about this yet, and my back goes rigid at the possibilities. Rath and Killer look equally as paralyzed at the choice.
Story is the one to snort, saying, “I think we’ve had enough surprises for a lifetime. Go ahead and tell us, doc.”
The technician laughs, nodding. “Then allow me to introduce you all to,” she tilts to monitor, showcasing our little lemon, “your healthy baby girl.”