Fall for Me (Danvers #3)(60)
I have no idea what I’ve done in my life to deserve the love of the man beside me or the support of the family surrounding me, but I have it. I feel it. I’m completely in love with everyone in this room and for the first time in my life, I’m falling in love with me as well.
Epilogue
“Princess, it’s going to be fine. This is our second ultrasound since . . . The last one was fine and we’ve felt the baby kicking.”
Beth wrapped her arms around Nick’s waist, allowing him to pull her into an embrace. “I know, but I don’t think I’ll ever not be nervous.” Their follow-up ultrasound last month had been normal and the baby was right on schedule. They hadn’t been able to see the sex of the baby since he or she had stubbornly kept his or her legs closed. They were having a 3-D ultrasound this morning, and she was both excited and terrified to see the baby.
Nick had been wonderful and, outside of pushing her to get married, he had been more than she could have ever hoped. He was fully involved with every area of her pregnancy. He pampered her, he worried about her, and he treated her exactly like the nickname he used for her: princess. He was ready to get married as soon as possible, but she wanted to enjoy being engaged and to plan the girly wedding of her dreams.
They had also attended two meetings at Eating Disorders Anonymous. Nick had been incredibly supportive and he knew that each day was a struggle to accept the number on the scales. It would be a lifelong process, but she was happy with the progress that she had made.
Nick brushed a kiss on her forehead and led her out of the apartment and to the car. Another thing that Nick had been pushing for was buying a house. He was scared that she would fall on the stairs, and she had to admit that they were getting taxing. She promised him that they would start looking soon. He wanted a house on the beach and, although she loved the ocean, she still enjoyed living in the city and having everything nearby.
She felt the familiar tightness in her chest as they walked into the doctor’s office. She signed her name and took the seat beside Nick. He wrapped his hand around hers and whispered, “These women in here still hate me.”
Beth smiled because she knew that, as usual, they were checking out her man and ogling him like a piece of candy. When her name was called, Nick squeezed her hand reassuringly and followed her to the ultrasound room. He helped her onto the table and whispered in her ear, “I love you, princess,” before sitting down. No matter how calm he tried to act, she knew he was nervous, too.
She was vaguely aware of the bubbly technician chatting, but her eyes were glued to the monitor, waiting to see signs of life from the blurry image. When she saw the image of their obviously active baby, Beth let out a breath that she didn’t know she had been holding. Nick pressed his lips against her temple as they both gazed in wonder at the beautiful 3-D image.
“Ohhh,” said the technician.
They both jerked their eyes to her, alarm evident on their faces.
“Do Mom and Dad want to know the sex of the baby because it’s quite obvious,” the technician teased.
Unable to speak, they nodded their heads in agreement. “Congratulations, it’s a boy!” The technician pointed to what looked like an extra arm and Nick started chuckling.
By now, Beth’s silent tears had become more of a loud sobbing. Nick handed her some tissues, but couldn’t tear his eyes from the picture of his son, who appeared to be attempting some in-utero acrobatics. The technician handed them pictures and a DVD to keep, then left them alone in the room. She probably thought they needed to get control before they saw the doctor.
Nick helped her from the table and pulled her down into his lap. “Thank you, princess.”
Surprised, she asked, “For what, honey?”
“For giving me this moment, for loving me, and for carrying our baby. I can’t think of another time in my life when I have been this happy or this content.”
Beth stroked her hand down the face of the man she loved and said, “It’s my pleasure, Mr. Merimon. Heavy emphasis on the pleasure part.”
* * *
Beth dropped her fork on her plate with a contented sigh. Nick had insisted on breakfast after their doctor’s appointment and she was more than happy to join him. The doctor had been pleased with the ultrasound, and the baby continued to measure on target. Nick paid their bill and took her hand as they crossed the parking lot.
“You know, princess, since we’re having a boy, I would like to name him after my grandfather, my mother’s father. I was crazy about him. He died when I was ten. I know he would love for my son to carry his name.”
“I think that’s a great idea. I know it would mean a lot to your mom. So, what was his name?”
Nick kicked the ground with his shoes, refusing to make eye contract.
“Honey, what was his name?”
“Herman.”
“Um, what?” Beth asked, thinking she had heard him wrong.
“Herman.”
She closed her eyes and shook her head. “Honey, I love you, but I’m not naming our child Herman. Didn’t he have a middle name?”
Nick continued to look down and finally muttered, “Winston.”
Beth jerked around in surprise. “Your grandfather’s name was Herman Winston?”
“Yeah. We can call him Hermie, for short.”
Beth looked at him incredulously. “You think that sounds better than Herman?”