Chapter 51
Tad
Paper crinkles with Breezy’s heavy breaths as the ultrasound tech moves the goopy wand across her adorably blossoming bump, trying to get the best view. Our baby bounces and kicks and rolls, and Breezy’s laugh as she watches it all happening in real time is the best sound in the world.
“We’ve got a wiggle monster on our hands, folks, but I think…
yep, I have, finally secured the money shot.
” The tech smiles, moving the wand around again and clicking the ball in the center while the machine bings several times.
“Do we want to know what we’re having? Or are we waiting for a surprise? ”
I look to Breezy, who simultaneously looks to me, and we both smile.
“It’s up to you,” I tell her, and her smile grows.
“But I was going to say it’s up to you,” she counters, and the sonographer laughs.
Breezy turns back to the screen, trying to get a peek, and with that small gesture, I know her answer without her having to say it.
“Let’s hear it.”
“Ah, yay!” the sonographer cheers quietly. “I love this part.” Reaching down below to the printer of the machine and handing us both the photo, she smiles. “Congratulations, Mom and Dad. It’s a…boy.”
“Oh gosh,” Breezy laughs with joy-filled tears shining in her pretty blue eyes. “Between the Bishop and Hanson testosterone track record, I think I’m going to have my hands full.”
She’s never sounded happier to be put out, and I feel the exact same way.
Leaning forward to touch our lips, the sting of my nose warns of happy tears I don’t dare try to hold back. “A boy. A perfect, beautiful, amazing baby boy, made by the two of us.”
Breezy nods, our foreheads rubbing together. “I love you.”
“I love you too, baby. More than anyone in this world will ever comprehend.”
She touches her lips to mine again, and the tech shoves back in her chair while another round of pictures prints from the machine. “Congratulations again, guys. You’re one of the sweetest couples I’ve seen in here in the last…well, five minutes or so.”
Both of us laugh, and I reach across Breezy to shake the young blonde’s hand while Breezy takes the string of black-and-white photos. The sonographer returns the gesture with a strong hand and then focuses on Breezy.
“Take your time getting up, okay?” she instructs.
“It’s normal to be a little light-headed after being on your back for so long, and you can use this rag to clean the goo off your belly before you put your clothes back in place.
When you come out, just check out at the front desk like normal.
The report will be in your portal by tomorrow, but baby looks very happy in there, okay? ”
“Thank you so much,” Breezy replies, her heart so obviously in her throat by the sound of her voice, I can’t help but squeeze her hand in mine.
When the door closes behind the tech, she turns to me.
She’s never looked more beautiful, and this is a woman who’s never looked anything but for her entire life, I’m sure of it.
“What did I do…” She shakes her head. “What did I do to deserve this beautiful life?”
My grin isn’t just ear to ear—it’s clean off my face. “Funny. I was just wondering the same thing.”
…
Hand to Breezy’s back, I usher her around the checkout desk into the main waiting area, point her toward the door and home.
I’ve got big plans to show my girl just how thankful I am for this life in our new bed, in our newly finished house, on my old land, as soon as we get home, but the sight of Clay’s smiling face is a completely unexpected addition to the process.
“Hey, man,” I greet with a handshake and a grin, Breezy’s excited laugh providing a sweet soundtrack in the background. “Fancy meeting you here.”
“Where’s Josie?” Breezy asks. “I’m assuming you didn’t figure out how to have an appointment at the OB-GYN without her.”
Clay laughs. “Had to visit the little girls’ room before the drive home. She says her bladder is nothing but a trampoline these days.”
“Same,” Breezy agrees. “If I hadn’t gone just before the scan, I’d be joining her.”
“Is it your twenty-week too?” Clay asks excitedly.
“Yes! I still can’t believe we’re due around the same time.” Breezy’s face is warm. “After everything you guys have been through to get here.” I nod as she finishes. “Clay, I’m so, so happy for the two of you.”
“Thank you. Really.”
The door opens then, Josie stepping out and bumping right into us with surprise. “Oh my gosh.”
Breezy and I both nod, laughing, and Clay rearranges us to pull Josie into his side. “Yep. Here at the same time. Isn’t it wild?”
Then the door opens again, bumping us in the back enough that I start to move us to the exit with our goodbyes. “Good seeing you guys. Congratulations—”
“Oh, Mrs. Harris, I’m glad you’re still here!” someone calls behind us. “You have pictures of baby B, but Shalisa forgot to print pictures of baby A. She gave them to me and asked to see if you were still here. I’m so glad I caught you.”
Frozen in place, Breezy and I have no choice but to be shameless in our eavesdropping as the biggest Red Bridge news of the year drops right in front of us.
Josie and Clay—after loss and trauma and hardship that would cow most people—are having twins.
Life is a miracle.
I know because I’m living it for the second time, on a second chance, with a second love that feels like the first.
If it weren’t for Clay Harris standing in front of me, getting the biggest news ever, I’d be a shoo-in for the luckiest man alive.
“Holy moly!” Breezy squeals in excitement. “Josie Harris!”
“Well, I guess the cat’s out of the bag, huh?” Josie says, laughing and smiling at the same time.
I shrug. “Good news, though. With Eileen retired, the chances of you reading about it in the paper tomorrow are much, much lower.”
Josie cackles. “Thank God.”