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I was a shithead asshole fucker for even thinking that. The only times I had seen similar agonizing grief, had been at the courthouse as I’d won cases where a family’s loss had not been endorsed by a guilty verdict.
“You scared me.”
She nibbled on her lip, something she only did when she was unsure. “You seemed calm.”
“Well, I wasn’t.” I held up her purse. “I got the crackers. What else?”
“I—” She glanced at Blake, then slid from the stool. “I guess we’d better go.”
Nothing could have preparedme for the moment they rubbed that thing on her stomach and athump thump thumpcame from the machine. I stared at the tiny blip.
“Is that a gummy bear?” I asked. It looked like Wicked had swallowed a whole gummy bear and now it lived in her tummy.
The nurse snickered. “That’s your baby.”
“Are you sure? Because Marlow pretty much inhales her food. It’s very possible she didn’t chew.”
She smacked me in the arm. “It’s not a gummy bear.”
I swallowed hard and tangled my fingers through Marlow’s. We’d made that tiny being. The clusterfuck we were had turned into something beautiful.
“Would you like a picture?”
“Please.” Shit had just gotten real.
As soon aswe were out of the obstetrician’s office, I tossed Blake up in the air. When I caught him, I nuzzled my nose with his.
“We’re having a gummy bear.” I grinned at him.
Marlow laughed at me like I was a fool. “The other day you were pretty sure she’s a pumpkin.”
“She is, but she’s a gummy bear. Can you believe it?”
I wanted to grab every person who passed us on the sidewalk, tell them the good news. Had I ever been this happy?
I dropped Blake in the stroller, strapped him in, and grabbed Marlow by the waist. “You gave this to me.”
I smashed my mouth to hers. A surprised whimper escaped her. Blake clapped.
“Patrick,” she protested, though her face was flush.
“Nope. No talking.” I pressed my finger to her mouth. “Except to pick lunch.”
“Lettuce wraps,” she said without a second thought.
“You got it, Mama.” I kissed her again for good measure.
“Something just vibrated against my chest.” She scowled, but one corner of that mouth was turned up.
“If you’re into that stuff, I’m open to trying.”
She shoved at my chest as I pulled out my phone.
Soon everyone will know what you did . . .
“What is it?” Marlow tried to look at my screen, but I dropped the phone back into my pocket.
I smoothed my face back into a pleasant expression.
