Enid pulls out a small machine and squirts some blue gel onto the end of what I assume is the ultrasound machine. For some reason, my stomach flips. This is it.
At first, it’s just static, as Enid moves the wand around, pressing into Sage’s stomach.
Then, the static clears, and the sound of an unmistakable rhythm fills the room. A quick, steady sound that is quite possibly the most magical thing I’ve ever heard.
“Holy shit,” I breathe. “That’s really…that’s them?”
Enid nods. “That’s your baby. Sounding strong and healthy.”
And just like that, it’s real in a way it wasn’t before. I’m mesmerized by thethump, thump, thumpof my baby’s heartbeat. My eyes start to burn with tears, and goose bumps prickle the back of my neck. That’s my kid.
Sage has a tight hold on my hand, and I look down tosee her biting her lip and holding back tears of her own. I drop down to crouch beside her and gently push a few strands of hair off her face.
She turns to me and blinks rapidly, her gaze searching for what, I don’t know. I try to give her a reassuring smile, but my own emotions feel so big, I don’t know what to do with myself.
I’m lost in the depths of Sage’s eyes, and the sound of our baby thriving. And it’s all thanks to the woman in front of me.
Clearing her throat, the midwife speaks softly as she steps back. “I’m going to give you two a moment while I grab some paperwork and information for you.”
As soon as the door shuts behind her, Sage tugs her shirt down and sits up, patting the couch beside her. I sit down, carefully keeping some space between us, in case she wants it.
“What else have you been reading in those books?” she asks quietly.
I shrug. “Just basic stuff about stages of pregnancy. I’m trying to understand what you’re going through and figure out what I could do to help. That’s all.”
When I lift my head to look at her, her eyes are shining. Shit, did I upset her? But before I can apologize, she throws her arms around my neck, squeezing tightly.
“Hey, it’s okay,” I murmur as I feel her shaking with tears.
Her head moves back and forth against my shoulder. “No, I’m not upset.”
She draws back, but I don’t let her get far, keeping hold of her hands. “Could’ve fooled me,” I joke lightly.
She lets out a tremulous laugh. “Blame the hormones, okay? You’re just, you’re so sweet. And we just heard our baby’s heartbeat. And you’re reading pregnancy books, and I’m—” She breaks off with another sob, and I pull her back into my arms, rubbing her back again.
God, it feels so good to hold her like this. To be able to offer her comfort and have her accept it.
“And you’re doing a fucking amazing job growing our baby,” I say softly. “Seriously, Sage, do you realize how incredible you are? You’re creating life. A whole new human being. Our baby is healthy, and doing well, because of you.”
She blinks up at me with a watery smile. “And because of you. I…I’m really glad I found you, Brady. If I had to get pregnant from a one-night stand, I’m glad it was with you.”
She rests her head back down on my chest, and it takes all of my restraint not to lean down and kiss her head. Instead, I settle for saying the absolute truth.
“I’m really glad it was me, too.”
16
SAGE
I haven’t let goof the handouts Enid gave me before we left the clinic. They’re clutched so tightly in my hands, I’ve put creases in the paper.
Hearing the heartbeat for the first time was emotional in a way I wasn’t expecting. The first thing I thought was that I wished my mom was there, the second was how grateful I was to have Brady by my side. Seeing him get choked up over the audible proof of our baby’s existence was beautiful, and for a moment I imagined a different reality. One where our baby had two parents who were dedicated to giving them a happy life full of love and happiness. Two parents who were together, true partners in life and love.
It’s a reality I’ve never once allowed myself to picture with anyone. Not even a faceless, nameless, imaginary person.
Brady pulls his car into a parking spot back at the hotel and turns the engine off before twisting in his seat to face me. “Are you okay?”
It’s the first words either one of us has spoken since walking out of the midwife’s office.
