Page 36 of The Last Thing (Baker Girls #4)

CHAPTER THIRTY-ONE

WILSON

“Okay, we’re just about ready. I want to confirm that you’d like to know the gender of the baby?”

The ultrasound tech barely gets the sentence out before Sophia shouts, “Yes!”

The tech looks from me to Hallie. “Does everyone want to know?”

“Yes,” Hallie says. “We’d like to know.”

“Okay, then. Let’s get started.”

She squirts some gel on Hallie’s stomach as I turn to Sophia.

“Remember, the baby might not be what you’re hoping for, but that doesn’t mean you’re going to love them any less, right?”

“Right. But it’s going to be a girl.”

The tech laughs under her breath, and I turn to Hallie.

These last few weeks of living with her have been incredible.

Now that we’re getting close to Christmas, I’m even more excited.

I’m already imagining the perfect Christmas morning with us wrapped in a blanket on the couch while Sophia tears through all her presents.

Our first Christmas in our home. We’ve already decided we’re going to start the process of buying the house in the new year.

Hallie has plans for a garden in the spring, and Sophia is excited to make a snowman in the backyard.

She also made me promise to get her a sprinkler this summer.

Soph broke in her new bedroom by having a sleepover with Maria and another new friend from their dance class.

I love watching her blossom. I’m sure she could’ve found her way to it without Hallie, but Hallie makes both of us better, and she makes our family whole.

“All right, here’s a look at your baby.”

I take Hallie’s hand as we both watch the screen. Our little peanut is in there kicking and flailing away.

“She’s so cute,” Sophia whispers.

Again, the tech laughs. “I’m going to take some measurements and then we’re going to see if you’re right. But first…” She hits a button and that wonderful whooshing sound fills the room. “One hundred forty-two beats per minute. Perfect.”

The tech gets to measuring as Sophia watches in wonder. I roll the stool I’m sitting on farther up the bed, then give Hallie a quick kiss on the cheek.

“I love hearing the heartbeat,” she murmurs.

“Me too. That’s the heart the two of us created.”

“Ugh, don’t make me cry here.”

I laugh and kiss her forehead, then turn my attention back to the screen. All the measurements show our little one is still hovering around the seventieth percentile.

“Now for the fun part.” The tech basically jabs Hallie in the side with the wand, but Hallie doesn’t show any signs of discomfort. Her eyes are glued to the screen. “Okay, and right here… there’s no penis. Which means?—”

“It’s a girl!” Sophia jumps up and dances around. “I knew it.”

The tech smiles and continues on.

Hallie looks at me. “What do you think? You ready to be a girl dad all over again?”

“Can I tell you a secret? I love being a girl dad. I love taking care of all my girls.”

“We’re going to have you wrapped around our fingers.”

“Like I’m not already?”

“You love it.”

“I do.” I look back at the screen. “I’m excited to do this with you. The first time around… I didn’t really have a partner. Especially once Sophia was born. I’m so excited to have this baby, but I’m even more excited to walk this road with you.”

Hallie blinks rapidly. “Stop saying things like that in the middle of the ultrasound.”

Leaning forward, I kiss her head. “Sorry. I’ll never stop telling you how much I love doing life with you.”

“Back at you.” She lowers her voice. “Mr. Decker.”

“Hal…”

“Payback,” she says with a smirk.

I can’t complain. I love every side of her, but especially the feisty side that drew me in the night we met.

When we walk out to the waiting room, Sophia goes dashing for my mom, who also came along.

“Nana! I was right. It’s a girl!”

Mom stands up and hugs Sophia. “Oh, that’s wonderful.” She looks at the two of us. “Congratulations.”

Hallie tucks her phone away and goes to hug my mom.

As I lean in and give my mom a quick hug too, my phone goes off in rapid succession.

“Where should we go to lunch to celebrate?” Mom asks.

“Oh, what about that one with the dog on the sign? Oh, or the one that has the really yummy fries.”

Sophia goes on ahead with my mom, talking her ear off about different restaurants. Hallie and I walk together behind them, and I pull my endlessly vibrating phone out of my pocket.

Ah, yes. The group chat that Hallie added me to. I’ve officially been accepted into the Baker girls tribe now, and while I’m grateful, their group chat is pure chaos on a good day.

Hallie: It’s a girl! And yes, Sophia is THRILLED.

Frannie: Yay! The first Baker girl of the next generation.

Kennedy: Now I’m extra excited to find out what we’re having.

Brian: Congrats. Love you all.

Hardy: It’s time to start buying all the baby outfits. Get ready for lots of dresses and bows.

Brian: Every time we go to the store, he’s going to be looking at baby clothes now.

Hardy: I call dibs on godfather.

Devon: You can’t dibs that.

Hardy: Why not?

Mark: It’s against the laws of dibbing.

Justin: Seconded! And seriously, if you think you’re getting to be godfather over me, who is like her brother, you are sorely mistaken.

Hardy: Don’t make me fight you for it. You can’t be the godfather to Kennedy’s baby and Hallie’s. That’s against the law of godfathering.

Jade: Again, I’m here to remind you all that anything you say may be used in a story.

Jade: Oh and congratulations. I can’t wait to spoil her rotten.

Me: Thanks for the congratulations. I’m muting this chat now.

I tuck my phone away. Laughing, Hallie does the same, leaning against me as I wrap my arm around her.

Sophia and Mom are still plotting lunch, so I savor this short, quiet moment with Hallie.

“How long do you think it’ll be before Soph starts coming up with names?”

Hallie laughs. “I’m sure she has ideas. But I’ve already got one picked out.”

I turn to her. “Oh, really?”

“I think we should name her Veranda.”

I stop moving, staring at her, trying to keep my face neutral because… I don’t think she’s kidding.

“I…”

The sound of her laughter sends relief washing over me.

“Oh my gosh. You actually thought I was serious?”

I pull her tighter to my side and keep walking. “I never know what kind of crazy ideas you’re going to come up with.”

She shakes her head.

“No, Deck . I do not want to name our baby Veranda. I’m not going to name her after a stuffed rabbit.”

“Because that would be crazy.”

“Exactly.”

She stops and looks up at me, eyes serious.

“Hope.”

“Hope what?”

“I think we should name her Hope. When I was in the emergency room, you said your dad would’ve told you to have hope. That word kept coming back to me. I think we should name her that in honor of your dad.”

Her words sock me right in the chest. Yeah, my dad would’ve wanted that. He would’ve loved that. I sweep my hand through her hair, wondering yet again how the fuck I possibly got this lucky.

Dad, if you had anything to do with this… thank you.

“My dad would love that. I love that.” Gently, I press my lips to hers. “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

We start walking again, the cold December air rushing around us as we walk outside.

“Plus, I think Hope Patio is a beautiful name.”

I laugh and tug on her hair, shaking my head.

“Whatever you say, Hellion. Whatever you say.”