Chapter 24
CHAPTER
TWENTY-FOUR
Quinn
I’m nervous.
The early September sun is beating down through the windshield as I pull into the parking lot and park in an open spot in the middle of the row. “Ready?” I ask, giving Charli’s hand a gentle squeeze.
“I’m ready,” she replies, already reaching for the seat belt release and then the door handle.
We exit my truck and make our way into the doctor’s office.
Today is our twenty-week appointment with anatomy scan, and to say I’m excited is an understatement.
But with that also comes a bit of nervousness.
This isn’t our first look at our baby, but it’s been twelve weeks and obviously things have changed since then.
We get to finally see with our own eyes the little human who has been kicking our hands in recent days.
Charli checks in at the counter and joins me in the seating area. “So, we’re going to find out?” she asks, seeking confirmation once more.
We’ve had this discussion several times in the last couple of weeks, and we both voted to learn the sex of the baby together with our family and friends.
At first we balked at the thought of a big gender reveal, like you see on social media, but in the end, we decided to share the moment with those we’re closest to.
It’s not a huge gathering this Saturday at Wyatt’s farm, but he offered to host a cookout and the big reveal.
So, here we are, about to see Baby Garrison again, and after the ultrasound is complete, the little envelope of answers will be sealed and passed off to Oaklee, who was tasked with planning the big reveal.
We’re not sure what’s up yet, but I was told Cade will be involved, and we all know that will probably escalate the entire event into dangerous territory.
“You’re awfully quiet,” Charli says beside me, leaning into my shoulder a little more.
“Just wondering what your brother will have planned for Saturday,” I reply, referring to the reveal.
She snorts and shakes her head. “No telling, and to be honest, I don’t really want to think about it. Knowing him, it’ll involve tractors and cannons and explosions.”
I can’t help but chuckle, picturing it clearly. “Help us all.”
“Charlotte Miller.”
We stand up and head for the doorway, having this routine down pat.
Charli goes to the alcove for her vitals, while I wait in the hallway, shoulder against the wall.
When it’s time for her urine test, the nurse, Nora, sends me to room five to wait.
It’s farther down the hall and a room we haven’t been in yet.
Stepping inside, I see the ultrasound machine.
It’s a bit bigger than the previous one we used at week eight, the screen almost twice as big.
A couple minutes later, Nora and Charli arrive in the exam room, and they start going over how she’s feeling since her last appointment.
I listen intently, not really contributing, until Nora leaves and we wait for the doctor.
Dr. Greene doesn’t keep us waiting long.
“Everything looks good since your last appointment,” she states, referring to her vitals, I’m sure. “I’m going to order some testing, which is standard for this gestational period. A blood test and a glucose test. It’s not exactly pleasant, but it’s incredibly important.”
Charli nods. “Okay. Whatever I have to do.”
They discuss a few more things before Dr. Greene pulls out the Doppler to listen to our baby’s heart rate. Charli lies back, and I automatically move into my favorite position—standing beside her with her hand tucked in mine.
The noise that fills the room is strong and fast, just as it’s been with each appointment, and it instantly brings smiles to our faces. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of hearing that heartbeat. The only thing better will be holding our child in my arms.
But for now, baby needs to keep cooking, so that can wait.
“All right, if you’re ready, I’ll send Shelby in for your anatomy scan,” Dr. Greene says, washing her hands at the small sink in the counter.
“We’re ready,” Charli replies eagerly.
“It’ll be just a few minutes.” Then, Dr. Greene exits the room, leaving us alone…and waiting.
“This is it,” Charli says, practically vibrating off the exam table.
“It is. It’s not too late to just find out now.
We can pretend to be surprised on Saturday,” I suggest, only partially kidding.
I’m excited to find out, eagerly as anxious to experience it all with the woman I love at my side and our family and friends surrounding us, but if she were to say okay right now, I’d happily look at the scan results.
And act surprised on Saturday.
She seems to mull it over for a few seconds before shaking her head. “No, I want to wait. I’d feel terrible if Oaklee went to all the work to put together this reveal and we already spoiled it.”
“I agree.” Leaning forward, I kiss her forehead as a knock sounds on the outside of the door.
A young woman enters wearing scrubs and a pleasant smile on her face. “I’m Shelby, and I’ll be conducting your anatomy scan today.” She has a seat at the stool in front of the ultrasound machine. “Do you have any questions?”
“I don’t think so,” Charli replies.
Shelby types on the keyboard and confirms Charli’s date of birth. “Before I begin, do you want to know the sex?”
“No, we’d like to take the results to a friend.”
She grins and nods. “A gender reveal party?”
“Yes, my future sister-in-law is tasked with helping with the reveal.”
“I love those,” she replies. “I’ve seen some really cool ones over the years. All right, so I’ll do a quick scan and take some measurements, and then I’ll see if I can find an angle where you can see your baby without spoiling the surprise.”
“Perfect,” Charli says, relaxing once more as the ultrasound begins.
The tech clicks and taps away, taking measurements and photos of the baby. I can see part of the screen, and while I know what I’m looking at, I don’t really understand it. “All right, Mom and Dad. We have some great shots.” She turns the screen, and says, “Meet your baby.”
All I can do is stare at the most perfect profile I’ve ever seen. Eyes, nose, mouth, arm, everything appears as it should and I feel myself relax.
“I’ve taken some great photos for you, and everything is measuring on track for your due date.”
“I’m happy to hear that,” Charli murmurs softly, and I can tell she’s crying. She gets a little emotional nowadays, so it doesn’t surprise me to see her cry at the moment we see our baby.
She turns the scanner and shows us different angles and more features, and if I thought I was in love with this baby before, I’m completely gone now.
Seeing our baby on the screen will be something I’ll never forget.
The joy, the excitement, and even a bit of fear, but I believe most new or expectant parents feel that way, right?
Shelby prints images for us and places a folded slip of paper inside an envelope, sealed. “Here you go,” she replies with a smile, sending us on our way.
We’re both all smiles as we finish at the front counter and exit the building.
Now we just have to wait until Saturday.
Finally.
The moment of truth.
Everyone is here. Well, everyone but my family.
Oh, I invited them, but my dad and his new wife are out of town and my mom didn’t show.
Shocker. Probably because today isn’t all about her, and she knows I won’t let her monopolize the day.
This is about Charli and me and our new baby on the day we find out if we’re having a boy or a girl.
Charli’s parents and siblings are here, as well as their significant others. Sommer, Wyatt, Alex, and Robby too, as well as a few other close friends we wanted to share this moment with.
“If I can have everyone’s attention, please!” Oaklee hollers over the voices as we all stand outside the barn.
Charli is wearing a white sundress that shows off her baby bump perfectly. I’m not sure which I like more, seeing that bump on full display or the white dress. It gives me ideas…
I’m in a white button-down short-sleeved shirt and khakis, at Oaklee’s request. She warned us not to wear something we weren’t in favor of getting a little…dirty. We pressed her on it, but all she did was smile and say, “You’re on a farm, you know.”
I can feel Charli vibrating with excitement beside me. My arm is around her shoulder, hers around my waist, while we wait.
“A few days ago, I was tasked with one of the most important jobs I’ve ever been given, to help Charli and Quinn learn the sex of their baby.
I spent days researching creative ways to make the announcement and settled on this one because I knew it would mean a lot to both Mom and Dad.
Wyatt also gave me a strict list of no-nos, because we wouldn’t want to hurt the horses or cows. ”
I glance over and see Wyatt grinning from his perch in the seat of a tractor. The bucket is lifted high above the ground, covered in black plastic.
“I know we’re all starting to bake in the sun and dying to know, so let’s get to it!” she proclaims, earning cheers of excitement from everyone surrounding us. “Charli, Quinn, if you would please come stand here,” she adds, pointing to the spot beneath the tractor.
“She’s not about to dump water on us, is she?” Charli asks quietly as we walk to the place she’s indicated.
“No, I’m pretty sure she’s not dumping water on us.” I don’t tell her what I think it is.
“Ready?” Oaklee asks.
I notice Lizzie standing off to the side, recording on her phone.
“Ready!” both Charli and I reply at the same time.
She taps a few buttons on her phone, and we hear the revving of a four-wheeler. No, two four-wheelers. All eyes immediately go to the barn as the two four-wheelers race out and take off across the pasture.
“Holy shit,” Charli cries, as we all laugh at the scene play out.
On one unit is Cade, dressed in a blue shirt, with blue balloons and streamers trailing him. The other unit is manned by Camden, who is wearing a pink shirt and what appears to be a pink bonnet, with the same balloons and streamers following him but th color indicates a girl.
They race around the pasture, both vying for the lead. “This is the best,” Charli says through her laughter as the four-wheelers start to get closer, and all I can do is hold my breath.
Cade’s in the lead as they start to approach the bit of grass where we stand near the barn. “Boy,” she whispers.
But then they do some maneuvers and race around each other one last time, and the four-wheeler that races across the finish line and stops in front of us is Camden.
“It’s a girl!” Charli declares as the bucket above our head moves and rains down its contents on our bright white clothes.
I pull her into my arms and kiss her soundly as we’re coated in pink powder. Her laughter is the sweetest sound. “I love you.”
She wraps her arms around my neck, pressing her bump against me. “Love you too.”
Brushing my lips across hers. “You’re gonna be a girl mama.”
She giggles, grinning widely. “Girl Dad does have a nice ring to it, doesn’t it?”
I nod.
A girl dad.
I can’t wait.
Even though everyone is just itching to congratulate us, they give us the time we need to process this moment together. Charli slides her palm across my scruffy cheek and whispers, “Best. Day. Ever.”
We’re surrounded and pulled into hugs of congratulations.
“Guess who is dubbed favorite uncle?” Camden states proudly.
“You can’t be the favorite uncle when you’re wearing that damn bonnet!” Cade argues, making everyone laugh.
“I think that just cements it, big guy,” Camden boasts with a cocky grin.
“They’re impossible,” Charli murmurs, shaking her head.
“Our baby girl will have the best uncles ever.”
She grins and nods. “She definitely will.”
After everyone starts moving to the four-wheeler so we can pose for pictures, Charli stops and says, “Best mistake I ever made was getting naked with you.”
I snort a laugh and shake my head. “Not a mistake, sweetheart.”
Smiling, she replies, “Nope. It was fate.”