Page 126 of Wilde Flame

“You just shivered.”

“No, I’m not cold.” Clearing my throat, I was about to just ask her outright when the door opened, and they called her name.

She jumped up. “Here we go!”

I followed her to the back and couldn’t help but notice a few of the nurses smiling…but not at Lilibeth. At me. I moved up alongside her and laced our hands together.

She looked up at me and smiled. “Nervous?”

“No. Are you?”

“A little.”

Once we’d finished the standard weighing and questions, the nurse told us the doctor would be in shortly. From previous experience, that usually meant we had at least fifteen minutes to talk about…things.

“Lilibeth, I was wondering if I could ask you a question.”

“Of course you can.”

There was a light knock on the door, and Dr. Lawrence came in.

Damn it all to hell!

“How are you today, Lilibeth and Caden?”

“Wonderful!” Lilibeth said, while I smiled and nodded.

“I take it the morning sickness is gone?”

“Almost. It’s been replaced by weird cravings.”

The doctor laughed. “That’s normal. When I was pregnant, all I wanted to do was eat dirt.”

“Dirt?!” Lilibeth and I said, at the same time.

The doctor nodded. “Yep.” She glanced at the book that was in the seat next to me. “You’re doing your reading, I see. Do you have any questions for me? Things that are changing with your body that you’re worried about or have concerns over?”

I wondered if that question was directed at me, as well. Could I ask on Lilibeth’s behalf?

“Weight gain?” Lilibeth asked.

“You’re right on track, and please don’t worry about that. I would actually prefer you not even get on the scale moving forward. Just eat a balanced diet, drink lots of water, fruits, and veggies, and try to avoid too many sweets.”

They spoke for a few more minutes, then the doctor asked, “Are we ready to see your baby?”

I thought Lilibeth would jump up and start dancing, she was so excited. “I’m so ready!”

Dr. Lawrence chuckled, then looked at me.

“I’m excited to see how much she’s grown. Or he.”

“Okay, let’s get everything set up. We’re going to move you to another room.”

Once inside the imaging room, Lilibeth lay back on the table, and the doctor put gel on her stomach. The moment our baby appeared on the screen, I blinked to hold back my tears.

Lilibeth let her tears fall freely. I inched closer to her and took her hand in mine. When she looked up at me, it felt like a gut punch. I knew her tears were happy, but something else happened when I looked into her eyes—something moved through me so fast and so quick, it left me slightly dizzy.

I had the insane urge to lean down, kiss her, and tell her…