All I Need - A.D. Justice Page 0,73

to show until just now as I walked out here. This makes it feel so much more real. What you’re about to see on the monitor will be amazing. But it’ll be scary too. I need you to talk to me if you’re feeling overwhelmed.” I hesitantly hold his gaze, waiting for a sign of recognition of what we’re doing.

“I know what an ultrasound is, babe. Even before Gabriel took off on Juliana, I went with them for one of her scans. You and I are in this together. I’m not going anywhere. You’d have to enter the witness protection program to get rid of me, and even that wouldn’t be enough to make me stop loving you.” He leans across the center console to kiss me before driving away.

While he navigates through traffic, I jabber nervously about anything and everything. But my subconscious recognizes we’re getting closer and closer to the doctor’s office. He slides his hand over mine and squeezes, getting my attention.

“You need to take a breath, babe.” That sexy smirk covers his face, forcing me to inhale. “There you go. Are you ready to go in and see our baby?”

“Yes. I’m okay now. Thanks for that.” I reach for the door, but his hand on my arm stops me.

“Do you want to know if we’re having a boy or a girl?” I can tell by his expression what his answer would be.

“If they can see it and tell this early, then yes, let’s find out today. If not, we can ask to find out by the amniocentesis. It’s more accurate, anyway.” He nods, pleased with my answer, and we exit the vehicle.

After signing in, going through the paperwork, and having the usual first visit exam, they take us to the ultrasound room for the moment of truth. The doctor scolded me for waiting so long to see him, but when I explained the circumstances, he relaxed some. Now I’m holding my breath, praying this little one is healthy.

The technician squirts a dollop of gel on my stomach and begins moving the wand around until she has it in place. She looks over and smiles at me with raised eyebrows.

“How much do you want to know? Or do you want to be completely surprised at birth?”

“We want to know everything.” Rod blurts out his reply before I can answer. Then he remembers I’m here and looks down at me. “Right?”

With a laugh, I nod. “Right.”

“You’re having fraternal twins.”

“That’s not funny.” Rod stammers his reply.

She smiles. “That’s because it’s not a joke.” She turns the screen more toward us and points out all the grainy details as proof.

“Oh, my God. I’m pregnant with twins. We’re having twins. Rod…it’s twins.”

“Breathe, my love.”

“By ‘everything,’ I assume you want to know the sex too?” The technician looks between us for confirmation.

“Yes!” Rod and I answer at the same time.

“Okay, let’s see if they’ll both cooperate today.” She moves the wand around my stomach, stopping to take measurements and capture screenshots. “From what I can see here, one is a boy, and the other is a girl. Congratulations, Mom and Dad.”

“How far along am I?”

“The measurements are consistent with about fifteen weeks, so your guesstimate was spot on. Both babies are growing normally. One is slightly bigger, but that’s normal with multiple births. At least they’re in separate sacs with separate placentas, so they’re not fighting for the same nourishment. We just have to make sure you eat enough to sustain three now.” She smiles warmly and prints several pictures for us to take home.

Before she leaves the room, she tells me to get dressed and open the door when I’m ready so she can escort us to the doctor’s office. When she leaves us alone, I slip the hospital gown off, and Rod gently stops my movements with his hands on my shoulders. He slides his fingers down my arms, over my hands, then grips my waist.

Then he drops to his knees in front of me, cradles my slightly protruding belly in his big hands, and places kisses all along my skin. His reaction is my undoing. Hot tears of joy slide down my cheeks unchecked because I’m holding on to his shoulders so tightly.

“I love you, Daisy. You’ll never question my love again.” He presses his forehead against my abdomen. “You’ve made me the happiest man in the world for so many reasons. I’ve never imagined myself wanting this life until you came along. Now that I have it, I’d