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Dr. Marjorie removed the ultrasound wand from Anna’s abdomen and wiped the gel away. Then she reached over to a small photo printer along the wall. “I printed several images for you.”
“Thank you,” Anna said, as Cade took the pictures the doctor held out to him with an expression of reverence on his face.
He was still staring at the pictures without having said a word when the doctor closed the door. His attention was wholly engrossed in the first pictures of his daughter. When Anna’s movements finally caught his attention, he was horrified by his behavior. He hadn't noticed her struggling to sit as she tried to get dressed.
“Oh, my Goddess. I’m so sorry, cher. Do you need help with anything? Do you want me to help you with your shoes?”
Anna sighed, just when she thought she’d caught a break. “No, babe. I’ve got it.”
The ride home was quiet. Anna relaxed with her eyes closed while Cade considered the ramifications of what he’d just seen. It had all become frighteningly real, and panic was setting in. They weren’t ready. They hadn’t even painted the nursery, much less gotten a crib. He was going to have to take the bull by the horns, or their daughter wasn’t going to have a place to sleep.
Cade’s wolf rumbled its pleasure as he gazed at his sleeping mate before he gently woke her. “Cher, we’re home.”
“Oh, wow. I only meant to rest my eyes.”
“You needed a nap. I know you haven’t been sleeping well lately.”
“I know. I had forgotten how difficult it is to get comfortable and sleep when I’m this big. I think I’ll lay down and try to sleep a little more.”
“Good idea. I’ll take care of dinner so you can rest.”
*****
Cade waited until he was sure she was sleeping before he left the house. He had a mission and would need a few of the guys to make it happen. First stop, Simon’s house.
“Hi, Cade, what’s up?” Rose asked as she opened the door.
“Hi, Rose. I’m making a surprise for Anna. Is Simon here?”
“Sure, he’s in the kitchen. What’s the surprise? Maybe I can help.”
“I appreciate the offer, but this is a daddy and uncles kind of surprise.”
“Okay, but you might want to get a woman’s opinion before you go around surprising a pregnant woman. Just sayin',” Rose laughed, shaking her head as she went back to reading her book.
“Hey, Cade!”
“Hi, Simon. Want to help put together the baby nursery for Anna? I want to take care of it for her as a surprise.”
Simon glanced nervously toward the living room where Rose was reading. “Are you sure you want to do that without her knowing?”
“Why does everyone keep asking me that? Yes, what part of surprise didn’t you understand?”
“Hang on, now. Don’t get all bent out of shape. I’m just asking. What did you have in mind?”
“For starters, painting. I don’t want her near the paint fumes.”
Simon pressed his lips together and nodded. “I can understand that. Do you have the paint yet?”
“No. But I know what color I need to get from the hardware store,” Cade said grinning ear to ear.
“Really?” Simon stretched out the word and grinned along with his big brother.
“Pink!”
Simon’s mouth fell open in shock. Girl babies were rare in the shifter world.
“What’s pink?” Rose called from the other room.
“Nothing,” Cade quickly responded. If Rose got wind of what he had planned, she might spill the beans to Anna.
Cade waved Simon closer so he could whisper. “I’ll get the paint and supplies. Could you get a couple other guys to help us tape and paint?”
“Yeah, sure. What time do you want us to show up?”
“Give me thirty minutes, and don’t knock or make noise. Anna is sleeping.”
“Okay, meet you in the nursery.” Then Simon glanced toward the living room again. “Mum’s the word.”
Cade lit out for the hardware store while Simon headed to Stefan’s. He knew there was no way Stefan would miss out on this.
“Hey, bro. What’s happening?” Stefan asked as he munched potato chips.
