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She stops over two much clearer heartbeats than the previous scan, and I hear Kate pull in a sharp breath.

Reaching out, I place my hand over hers as emotions overwhelm me. “There they are,” I whisper.

“Amazing,” she responds, wonder lacing her tone.

“I have in my notes that you declined the blood tests to find out the sex of the babies. We can confirm genders right now if you would like to know?” the sonographer asks.

I look to Kate to give the final word. I’m fucking desperate to know so I can start buying the shit out of every baby store I can find. “We still good?” I ask.

She doesn’t hesitate. “Yeah. Hit me with it.”

I chuckle, and without being able to stop myself, I lean across and kiss her forehead.

Yeah, baby daddies and friends don’t do that, Jensen.

Kate’s eyes flare wide, but the flush of pink painting her cheeks tells me she loves it. It gives me hope for everything I’m waiting, praying, fucking dying for her to admit.

“Well,” the sonographer points to one baby on the screen. “First, everything looks perfectly fine, and you are right on schedule with your due date. Although, we may only take youto thirty-six or thirty-seven weeks. I’m sure your doctor has discussed all of that with you.”

Kate nods. “Yes, since it’s twins.”

The sonographer nods back. “That’s right. But that decision will be made by your primary care team. From my point of view, though, everything looks perfectly normal.”

Every ounce of tension leaves my body. Fuck me having a baby is stressful, never mind having two.

“Now for the exciting part.” She adjusts the probe and presses a couple more buttons.

“Wait, that’s a dick,” I blurt out.

“Jensen!” Kate hisses.

I snort a laugh and point. “It is! It’s…sizeable.”

“Well, yes, you’re right. You are having a boy.”

“Holy shit,” Kate responds, then throws a hand over her mouth.

“And…” The sonographer moves the probe once more and then freezes the screen. “A little girl.” She points to the image. “There she is, hiding behind her brother, but she’s there.”

Dropping my head between my shoulders, I fucking lose it. This fucking hard ass six-foot-three NHL goalie loses it right here in this tiny white room.

“Are you okay?” Kate reaches out, takes my hand from my lap, and places it into hers.

“Yep.” My voice shakes, and I lift a finger. “Just one second.”

Taking a moment and a huge gulp of air, I center myself and then turn to the sonographer. “Can we have a couple of minutes?”

She smiles and nods. “Sure, I’ll get your images sorted.” She hands Kate a paper towel to clean herself up and then closes the door behind her.

I move Kate around to face me, her lower legs dangling over the bed. Standing between her parted thighs, my hands tangle in her thick blonde hair.

I half expect her to protest at the way I’m touching her. But she doesn’t. Instead, her body relaxes against mine. She wants this—us—as much as I do. I can feel it in my soul.

“Fuck it,” I whisper into her hair.

Tipping her head up, I brush my lips over hers, causing her eyelids to flutter shut. “Kiss me,” I plead.

“Baby daddies don’t do this,” she whispers back, a sly smile pulling at her lips.