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"Mrs. Marino." Dr. Wills greets my wife first, shaking her hand.

"Call me Tova."

"Tova." She gives her a warm smile. "And you must be Mr. Marino."

"I am." I shake her hand too.

"It's a pleasure to finally meet you in person. I always enjoy when the partner is extra involved and wants to be hands-on."

"I'm always involved and hands-on when it comes to my wife." I place my hand on the small of Tova’s back.

"He's kind of obsessed with me," Tova says playfully, though we both know it's far from a joke. In fact, the only thing about what she said that is a joke is the “kind of” part.

"I love to hear that." Dr. Wills laughs. "Come on back. I bet you want to listen to the baby's heartbeat and find out the sex."

"Yes, please!" Tova bounces on her heels. "Tonight is girls’ night, and we talk books while we sew, and everyone wants to start making baby items."

"That sounds sweet." Dr. Wills opens one of the doors to an exam room.

"It's really quiet here," Tova says.

"Mr. Marino wanted complete privacy." I had. This is a moment my wife has been looking forward to. I want all of the attention on her. Tova is always putting her focus on everyone else. I want this to be all about her.

I also don't want anyone to have access to her. Dr. Wills and I already went into that thoroughly. She was a touch skittish at first to work for me, but money can persuade a lot of people, and Dr. Wills wasn't an exception to that. She had surprised me, though, when she asked for her payment to be in the form of a donation to a charity. I respected her even more for that. A lot might call it overboard, but I don’t care.

“I’ll have you change into this, and then we’ll get started,” Dr. Wills says before slipping out of the room to give us privacy. Tova quickly strips.

She has ruled my sex drive, and the small bump that has already formed isn’t an exception. There is something about seeing it, that it represents her and me together. A life that we created.

I never understood the want for a child. Now I do understand the need. Having children had never even been on my radar. I remember when I was younger my father talking about heirs. I blew it off. Children can be rather annoying and a lot of work. It held no appeal to me.

Once I knew Tova would be my wife, I was flooded with the idea. I needed it. My wife has a way of making things differentfor me than they once were. I suppose I see the world in a different light when hers is always shining so brightly.

“Don’t be getting any ideas,” Tova teases, putting on the gown. I pick her up, sitting her on the table. “You know I could have gotten up.”

“I know. I wanted to touch you.” She drops her head back. I lean down and kiss her. We’re interrupted by a loud, repeated buzz.

“They’re dying to know, but they’ll have to wait.” Tova rubs her hands together. “I’m going to make them do a baby gender reveal.”

“A what?”

“Nothing.” Tova shakes her head. “I thought it would be fun to do with them since everyone is so excited.”

“I’m sure they’ll love your gender reveal.” Tova has even befriended a few of my men’s wives. They too come to girls' night. She has brought a lightness to our home, one that was more needed than I realized. “What do you think we’re having?”

“I’m not sure.” I have been trying not to ponder it.

“I think—” Tova trails off when a knock sounds on the door a few seconds before Dr. Wills opens it.

“Are we ready?”

“So ready!” Tova leans back as the doctor gets her ready. I’m not prepared for the sound of the heartbeat. “Ohh.” Tova’s eyes fill with tears. A wave of emotion tries to crawl its way up my throat.

“Everything is looking great,” Dr. Wills says. I miss a few other things she says. My eyes are on the monitor. That’s our baby. I grab my little mouse's hand. “Are you ready for the gender?”

“Yes,” I say before even Tova can make her smile.

“You’re having a baby girl.”