“Um, it’s okay. Water under the bridge.”
Silas just looks at me dead serious and says, “It was not okay.” I just nod, at a loss for how to respond. “The tech will be with you in just a second, okay? Just don’t forget to let them know if you want to find out the sex or not.”
Liam chimes in, “There’s a chance we could find out if the baby’s a girl or boy today?” He looks to Silas for the answer.
“Sometimes it can happen this early, but if not, 20-week ultrasound for sure. That’s why, just in case, let them know, alright?”
“We will,” I say to Silas as he moves to walk out. Liam stands up, giving him a handshake and a pat on the back before he says goodbye.
“So…” I look at Liam, “do you want to know or do you want to be surprised?” I ask.
“I mean, of course I want to know,” he looks a bit bashful, “but if you don’t, we won’t.”
“No, let’s find out. Just be prepared, we probably won’t know today. It’s still early. But, um, what do you hope it is?”
Liam shrugs. “I don’t know. I kinda like being a girl dad.” My heart beats harder.Fuck I love him.“But I’ll be happy either way.”
“Same,” I say, giving him a smile.
The ultrasound technician joins us a couple minutes later. She spreads the warm jelly across my abdomen and soon therhythmic sound of the heartbeat can be heard. Liam slips his hand into mine, holding it tight. He’s completely fixated on the screen, but I can’t help but fixate on him. His eyes are watery and he’s wearing the brightest smile. It’s enough to make me want another baby.
“So…” the ultrasound tech starts, “did we want to know the sex today?” I look at Liam with a bit of surprise, but I nod my head, and he does, too. I let Liam answer for us.
“We do, if it’s possible. Um, if it’s not, you know, no big deal.” I smile at his awkward answer.
“Well, you’re in luck,” she says.
Liam squeezes my hand tighter, and I can feel that his pulse is as quick as mine. “Your little guy is in just the right spot. We can see his genitals right…there.” She clicks on the screen, taking a photo. “Congrats, Mom and Dad, it’s a boy!”
It’s a boy.All I see is the picture of Liam in Sandy’s house, the one where he’s on a tricycle. Bright blue eyes, blonde hair, and the biggest smile, and I can’t wait.
Liam squeezes my hand tight, looking between the screen and me, then finally he lets the tears fall. He leans down, kissing my forehead, and says, “I love you so much, Britain.”
I just nod, too scared I'll end up ugly crying if I try to speak.
There’s no holding the news in. As soon as we’re home, Liam announces to the household, “It’’s a boy!” He pulls out the good bourbon for Damian and himself, and Carly starts on a cake to celebrate.
Jess walks over, giving me a massive hug, nodding down to Eden and says, “Arranged marriage?”
I just laugh. “Like any daughter of yours could ever be forced to marry someone not of her own choosing.”
Jess nods, “True, true.”
The girls’ reactions surprise me the most, though. “I’m so glad it’s a boy,” Caroline says.
“I wanted a little sister,” Elodie seems deflated.
“That’s because you’ve never had one,” Caroline rolls her eyes. “Trust me, we’re better off with a brother.” We all laugh, and the girls hug me tight. Summer even makes her way over hesitantly for a quick hug and a word of congratulations.
Then, as if she has a sixth sense about these types of things, Sandy walks in on the celebration. “Okay y'all, what’s going on? I need to know!”
“It’s a boy, Sandy,” I tell her.
Her eyes instantly fill with tears, but then she clasps her hands together and lets out an excited shriek. “Carly! I need your help making a margarita, baby!” she yells out, and then heads straight towards the kitchen.
I look around for Liam, and find him staring straight back at me. He mouths to me “Thank you,” and I smile because, really, I should be thanking him. For making all my dreams of what our family could be come true. It’s just a shame Georgia isn’t here to see it.
TWENTY-NINE
