The Predicament (The Proposition #3.5) (11 page)

Casey hopped down off the ultrasound table. In her hands, she held the grainy image of hers and Nate’s second child. As she stared at the tiny, twenty week baby, she beamed as she read the words typed out on the picture. “I’m a BOY”.

She hurried out of her OBGYN’s office and headed straight for the hospital. Since Nate hadn’t been able to get off for her last few appointments, she had decided not to tell him about the gender ultrasound today. She hadn’t wanted him to feel guilty about missing out.

The last year had seen a lot of changes in their lives. Olivia was a precocious sixteen month old who had mastered walking like a pro and was now talking up a storm, although Casey didn’t know what the hell she was saying most days. Of course to Olivia, that jibberish made perfect sense.

Just like she and Emma had hoped, their daughters were the best of friends. It was seeing Noah and Caroline interacting that had finally worn down Casey’s resolve about when to have more children. It wasn’t just about the fact they weren’t getting any younger, as Nate loved to remind her. And while Nate would have loved a house full of kids, she was pretty sure they would be stopping with two.

And just like with Olivia, she and Nate had a lot of fun trying to conceive. Even though she was anxious to get pregnant, she was glad it took a little longer this time around. Things were still good between them in the bedroom. It wasn’t always mind blowing and life altering, but she had no complaints. Most of all, she appreciated the free flowing communication they had to make sure everything was good emotionally and physically between them. She had learned so much and grown a lot since Olivia’s birth. She knew when this baby arrived she would be a lot more prepared not just about motherhood, but about being a wife.

After finding a spot in the parking garage, she headed inside. She took the elevator up to the 4
th
floor. She waved hello to several of Nate’s colleagues. At the nurses’ station, she found out where he was and went in search of him.

When she turned the corner, she saw him at the end of the hall. He and another doctor were conversing over a medical chart. She tapped her foot impatiently as she waited for him to finish. Finally, the other doctor nodded and walked off.

A smile lit up Nate’s face at the sight of her walking towards him. “Hello my love.” He pulled her into his arms and planted a kiss on her lips.

“Hi there.”

“What brings you here during work?” Suddenly, he pushed her back, his brows furrowed. “You’re not sick, are you?” Before she could respond, he demanded, “Is Olivia okay?”

“We’re both fine, Mr.Worrywart.”

Nate exhaled a relived breath. “I’m glad to hear it.” The fear in his eyes was replaced by amusement. “Are you here for another try at a sex sneak attack?”

Casey busted out laughing. “I can safely say hell no to that.”

“Pity,” Nate replied with a wink.

“Hmm, are you being a naughty boy today?”

“Maybe.” After playfully smacking her bottom, he asked, “So what brings you here.”

“I did go to the doctor today.”

“Oh?”

She nodded. Taking the picture out of her purse, she handed it to him. “It’s a boy.”

As he gazed at the image, Nate’s eyes flared with a mixture of pride, pleasure, and love. “A boy, huh?”

“Yes. A very healthy boy who is measuring off the charts since he gets his height from his father.”

Nate chuckled. “At 5’9, I’d hardly call you vertically challenged.

“Whatever you say.”

Once again, Nate pulled her into his arms. “Oh babe, this makes me so happy. We’re so blessed. A beautiful, healthy daughter and a son on the way.”

When tears blurred her eyes, she silently cussed her pregnancy hormones. “I know. We are.”

A voice over the intercom interrupted their moment of elation. “Dr. Rossi, you’re needed in room 416.”

Nate groaned. “Fucking duty calls.”

She laughed. “It’s okay. I need to get back to work too.” She planted a kiss on his lips. “Don’t forget to come over to Aidan and Emma’s after work.”

“I wouldn’t miss it for the world.”

Casey smiled since she knew Nate was just as excited as she was to meet Connor and Jeff’s daughter, Lily. They’d gotten the call three weeks ago that through their agency, a young mother in Kansas had chosen them to give her baby to. They’d dropped everything and gone out there to be there for the birth. They’d just arrived back home, and everyone was anxious to meet the newest member of the family.

After giving Casey one last kiss, Nate bent down and kissed her belly. “Bye, son.”

The gesture once again sent tears to Casey’s eyes. As she swiped them away, she heard Nate’s words echoing in her ears. Yes, they were very, very blessed.