EPILOGUE Sophie #3
Her eyes widen slightly as they move left to right, like she’s in another world, reading something only she can see.
“Dr. Ramirez?”
She blinks rapidly and straightens. “Would you mind if I did a quick ultrasound? Just to check something.”
Cold fear slices up my spine.
“No, I wouldn’t mind..." I whisper. “But, is something wrong?”
Oh, God, is it back? Is something wrong? Did the cancer linger in my body and affect my ovaries now, and that’s why I can’t get pregnant? Did she feel a tumor?
“I just want to take a look,” she says, patting my arm.
My mind goes into catastrophizing mode as she wheels over the portable ultrasound machine and lifts up my gown over my belly. My heart is slamming in my chest, and I don’t even react as she applies the cold gel and then uses the wand, pressing down as her eyes eagerly track over the screen.
Please don’t be cancer... please not again...
“Well, Sophie,” she starts, her voice a little breathless and her eyes soft as she looks from the screen to me. “I can’t give you birth control, because you’re already pregnant.”
My entire body goes still as I try to make sense of her words. Pregnant. Already pregnant.
“I’m..." I whisper, shaking my head, not daring to hope but wanting it to be true. It’s not until Dr. Ramirez turns the screen toward me that I allow myself to believe it. “Sophie, you’re pregnant.”
“I’m pregnant?”
“How is that possible? I haven’t had any morning sickness, breast soreness, or... I haven’t even gained that much weight!”
“Some of my patients don’t experience any morning sickness or soreness. Some really don’t even start showing until their six months along,” Dr. Ramirez soothes me. “Everyone’s experience is so different, and... maybe the universe is cutting you a break after what you went through.”
“You’re sure that I’m pregnant,” I say, my hands twitching to hold my belly, hope burning inside of me. “Callum and I are having a baby?”
Dr. Ramirez smiles, then flips a switch on the machine. “I’ll let this answer that question.”
Thump-thump-thump-thump...
I gasp, hands flying to my mouth as tears slip down my cheeks. There’s no mistaking that.
I’m pregnant.
Dr. Ramirez places a gentle hand over mine and squeezes softly. “Congratulations, Sophie.”
My eyes can’t stop looking at the screen, at the little fluttering miracle in my belly.
Our baby, the sound of their strong heartbeat fills the room.
◆◆◆
“Baby?”
My heart flutters as I hear Callum’s voice as he walks in the front door.
From the kitchen, I watch him take off his boots and leave them by the front door before he makes a beeline for me, a broad smile on his face.
I take off my apron, leaving me in my lucky red sundress, cardigan discarded when I started cooking.
“Smells good in here,” he says, wrapping me in his arms and burying his face in my hair.
“Dinner’s almost done,” I say, tilting my chin up to accept his kiss. He kisses me slowly, savoring the feel of our lips locked together, before he pulls back and brushes our noses together.
“I meant you.”
Smiling at him, I nip at his lower lip before grabbing his hand and dragging him into the kitchen. I’m too excited, and I know I’ll ruin the surprise if I wait any longer.
“I have something to show you!” He follows, an amused smile growing on his face as I bring him over to the island, where my reusable Rivers & Rhodes bag holds my surprise. “I bought a new book while I was out today!”
“Oh?” Callum puts on a mock-disgruntled look and puts his hands on his hips in a very sexy way, momentarily distracting me. Which is how we got ourselves in the situation we are in. “You bought a book somewhere else when you are part-owner of the finest bookstore in all the land?”
The reminder that my name is right next to Callum and Maeve’s on the bookstore paperwork makes me smile, the reason I was able to quit my job at Hanson Capital a year ago.
The drive to Boston every other day was getting to me, and while I miss my coworkers, I wanted more time with my husband, doing the books for our store.
“Well,” I start, already grinning when I reach in and take the book out and hide it behind my back before he can see. “This is a selection we don’t offer at the store, and I was hoping we could broaden our horizons..."
Callum’s amused smile doesn’t wane, but he tilts his head curiously.
“A baby book?” he asks, then gets a good look at it and chuckles. “’Good Night, Little Otter’. This is adorable, baby. Do you want to start selling children’s books at the store?”
“Well, yes,” I say, before gesturing for him to open the book. “But, that’s not why I bought it..."
He opens it, and right on the first page is the ultrasound picture Dr. Ramirez printed for us. His entire body freezes, the smile dropping from his face, replaced by a hopeful expression that makes my chest hurt. He stares at the ultrasound for a long time before glancing up to meet my eyes.
“Really?”
I nod, tears already filling my eyes.
“We’re having a baby?”
“We’re having a baby,” I grin, practically bouncing on my feet. “I have our first appointment booked for next week.”
“A baby... a little you..." Callum says, his face still slack, but his eyes are filling with tears.
He gets down on one knee and presses his face against me, pressing kisses and gently holding my hips as he nuzzles into my barely there belly.
“You did it! Oh, God... thank you. Thank you, sweet girl.”
“You were there too,” I remind him, running my fingers through his hair. “I seem to remember it was a team effort.”
When he looks back up at me, the expression on his face is full of pure wonder.
He stands back up and cradles my face in his big hands and presses his lips to mine.
“Yes, but you are the one who’s going to grow him or her.
You are doing all the work. You’re making a miracle.
You are the miracle, I’m just lucky to witness it. ”
I hitch sob at his words, smiling so wide as he holds me in his embrace, basking in pure joy.
Callum leans his face down, his eyes so full of love.
“You have made all of my dreams come true, Sophie. I love you so much.”
“I love you too,” I grin slyly and lean in to whisper. “You’re going to be a daddy.”
The expression on his face shifts, and he picks me up, spinning me around and causing me to squeal.
I wrap my legs around his waist and bring one hand to cradle my face and kiss me, deepening it and letting our tongues tangle together.
He walks me to the island, where he gently sits me down and then drops to his knees.
“Callum!” I squeal, giggling at the feral look on his face. He lifts my dress up, and I lift my hips so he can pull my panties down my legs. “What about dinner?”
He grins wolfishly up at me and spreads my thighs.
“I got my dinner right here..."
◆◆◆
December
“Oh, it’s gorgeous,” I gasp from the kitchen as Callum and Tess carry in our Christmas tree.
I waddle into the living room to get a better look at it as they expertly maneuver it into the stand Callum put there earlier.
Tall and full, just as I had instructed, since our tall ceilings and my tall husband are able to accommodate it.
Plot lifts his head from his spot on the couch, before sighing and snuggling back into his spot, enjoying the warmth from the fire Callum lit earlier.
He’s a little more lethargic these days, but still very attached to me, especially during my pregnancy.
He would sleep, cuddled against my growing belly, purring loudly as if trying to soothe the baby.
I wasn’t able to go with Callum and Tess, since I am on strict bed rest by Dr. Ramirez, who doesn’t want to take any chances so close to my due date—Christmas Day.
We are still planning a vaginal birth, although the baby seems to take after Callum in height and weight, so the doctors want us prepared in case a C-section becomes necessary.
At this point, I simply want to hold my baby in my arms, watch them sleep on Callum’s chest, and have my entire family cuddled on the couch watching movies.
Once the tree is secured in the stand, Callum immediately comes to me. One large hand cups my cheek, and his other hand instinctively settles on my belly, rubbing in small, soothing circles. His eyes scan mine with concern. “How are you feeling, baby?”
“Tired, sore, hungry—oh!”
Tess is already there, handing me a full tin of Christmas Cookies they bought from Thirteen Elms before heading upstairs to see Tonya. Her girlfriend has been painting the nursery for the last two hours.
“Just tired and sore then,” I clarify around a mouthful of cookie, making Callum smile. Then I notice melting flakes on Callum’s jacket. “Oh, is it snowing?”
“Just started,” Callum says, placing a hand on my back—always needs a hand on me, especially now—and guides us over to our big window in the living room.
The snow softly falls, blanketing the ground in white.
The glow of our Christmas lights combined with the neighbors’ makes our entire street look like something out of a movie.
Callum stands behind me and slides his hands to the base of my belly, lifting gently to relieve the pressure.
The instant relief makes me sigh. Callum presses a kiss to my head.
He hates that I’m so uncomfortable all the time now.
I’ll only do this once, though, so I want to soak up every wonderful and uncomfortable minute of being pregnant.
“Better, sweet girl?” he murmurs, his cheek brushing mine.
“Much.”
I sink into his embrace as we stand there for a long, quiet moment, watching the snowfall while Christmas music hums from the kitchen speakers and Tonya’s laughter floats down from upstairs.
We bask in the peaceful silence, soaking up these last moments as a family of two. Callum’s thumb rubs against my belly, and I lay my hands over his, smiling softly and so full of love I could burst.
“Almost done!” Tonya shouts from upstairs.
As always, Callum is behind me as we head up the stairs, taking most of my weight and guiding me patiently.
I avoid the stairs as much as possible these days, and if Callum is not home, Tess is always nearby to fetch anything I need.
Her and Tonya moved into my apartment after I moved in with Callum.
When we walk into the nursery, I gasp.
The calming sage-green walls glow softly under the warm lamps, and above the crib, Tonya has painted a mural. Two weeks ago, she and Callum painted the entire room and hung shelves that now hold photos, books, and tiny stuffed animals.
But today, armed with new brushes and paint, Tonya said she wanted to add something special.
“Tonya, it’s beautiful..."
“Just a little gift from the Aunt Ts,” Tonya grins proudly, causing Tess to snort and roll her eyes. Callum and I shake our heads as Tonya gestures between her and Tess, “Get it? Aunties, Aunt Ts... Bueller? Bueller?”
“Yes, very good, babe,” Tess says, walking over and soothing the pout from her girlfriend’s face, pecking a kiss to her lips. “You’re very clever—”
“Yeah, well, you know how clever I can be with my mouth—”
“La-la-la,” I sing, hands over my ears. “I can’t hear you!”
“Soph, you’ve grown a whole human from sex,” Tonya shoots Callum and me a pointed look, gesturing to my giant belly. “I know you’re not talking about your delicate sensitivities right now.”
“I don’t want to hear about my sister’s sex life,” I gag as Callum also mutters ditto.
Tonya cackles and picks up her paintbrush again, tapping it to get the excess off before getting back to work.
Callum and Tess headed out to get our Christmas tree after that, and I busied myself organizing baby clothes, packing, and repacking my hospital bag before sneaking downstairs for some water and snacks.
As I step closer to look at what Tonya’s been working on for the last couple of hours, the tears already gather in my eyes.
Three otters, a family, a mommy, a daddy holding hands, and a little baby otter snuggled between them on their bellies.
“God, Tonya..." I choke out.
“Almost done,” she says quietly, steady strokes spelling our daughter’s name below. “There we go. Little M & M’s nursery is complete.”
Callum stands behind me, lifting my belly again to ease the pressure as we smile at the name painted in pretty script.
We wanted to choose a name for our daughter that means strength and hope. We want her to know how hard we fought to have her here, how much we wanted her, and that she will be loved and adored by both of us, by her family. We want her to know that her parents also love and adore each other.
She will not grow up in a household like the one I grew up in, with cold and distant parents who didn’t show affection to each other or their children.
Our daughter is wanted by both her mother and father.
She will know it every single day of her life.
And, yes, we also wanted to pay tribute to the very first movie we watched together about a magical little girl.
“What do you think?” Tonya asks, eyes shining with pride at her work.
Matilda Maeve
Callum wraps his arms around me and kisses the crown of my head, and I lean back into him, closing my eyes as love swells within me.
“It’s perfect.”