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And why isn’t he seizing this opportunity to outmaneuver me? It’d be much easier if I could despise him.
Quietly entering, I take the chair Jackson was sitting in earlier and hand him a bottle of water before studying the baby monitor. I have no idea what I’m seeing, but the moving lines seem encouraging.
Careful not to disturb Aurora, he leans over. “The right side shows the baby’s heart rate, and the left shows his movement.”
“And everything is good?”
“Yeah. He moves a lot.” A proud smile spreads across his lips.
And what else can I do but return it?
An hour later, the ultrasound machine arrives, wheeled in by a technician who balks when he sees our trio.
He glances between Jackson and me then grins at a groggy Aurora. “Hello, sweetheart! We meet again.”
There’s enough saccharine in his tone that Jackson and I share a glance of annoyance. It’d take a massive set ofballs to get through the two of us. It’s almost laughable.
Realization hits me hard in the chest. I compared myself to Jackson. I’m not only irritable, I’m fucking jealous—of him, of any other guy.
I’ve never been jealous and possessive over a woman. I’m entirely out of my element.
No wonder I can’t keep my shit together.
The technician positions the machine close to the bed and asks, “The report states you fell.” He eyes Jackson and me with suspicion. “Did you take any hits to the stomach, darling?”
That’s two strikes with the endearments, and I’m itching to snap. I need Jackson to step up his game so I don’t get into more trouble with Aurora.
“I…I don’t know.” She glances at Jackson for help. “I fainted before I hit the ground. I’m not sure. I have scrapes on my arms and knees, nothing on my stomach.”
Jackson tugs at his hair. “Not that I saw, but she landed pretty hard.”
Aurora twists the bedding, and I take her hand in mine. My pulse races when she doesn’t pull away, allowing me to bring her knuckles to my lips. I make the mistake of breathing her in. She’s as sweet as I remember, and my eyes fall shut.
Holding her hand, I pay close attention to the assessment, learning she’s fifteen weeks pregnant. She hasn’t felt the baby move, and she has been having dizzy spells. Jackson mentions her high blood pressure and stress, which only adds to my unresolved guilt.
I never wanted kids, but I also never expected to be incompetent at taking care of what’s mine.
The ultrasound tech finishes the setup and reaches for the blanket, presumably to expose Aurora’s stomach.
Before he can, Jackson finally steps in. “Nice try, handsy, but no.” He adjusts Aurora’s bedding and gown to reveal her rounded belly.
Internally, I groan at the pleasurable sight of her sporting my baby bump. Seeing her pregnant with my child stirs something primal inside me, and the craving to touch her gnaws at my insides.
It’s my baby. I should be able to caress and kiss her stomach whenever I want.
The tech glides the gel-covered wand across her abdomen, delicately maneuvering until the stillness of the room is shattered by the rhythmic melody of our baby’s heartbeat. My throat tightens, a painful knot of unshed tears and unspoken words.
Aurora releases a shaky sigh, happiness and relief tracing a path down her cheek, and I lean over to brush away the tear. “It’s going to be all right, I promise.”
I’d give her anything right now. I’m such a sucker for this girl. If it wasn’t for Jackson,I’dbe on my knees, begging and proposing.
Okay, maybe not.
Ah, shit, probably.
A tiny figure appears on the screen, and the reality of becoming a father blows me away. Fuck, this is mine. I can hardly believe what I’m staring at, marveling at the small, moving being.
Jackson gives Aurora the biggest grin I’ve ever seen grace his face. “I love him already,” he says, further solidifying his attachment.