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CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT

John

The glow of the screen is the only thing lighting the doctor’s office, apart from the under-counter lighting. My palms sweat as the doctor squeezes jelly on Becca’s stomach, causing her to shudder.

“Are you ready to see your baby for the first time?” she asks, knowing it’s our first time having a baby and hopefully not the last.

Becca nods aggressively, while I pump her hand, smiling.

The doctor moves the wand over Becca’s still flat, toned belly. At first, it looks like blurry static on an old analog television, but suddenly, the black and white blobs make a whooshing sound.

“Do you see your baby?”

Becca and I glance at each other, and I shrug. “All I see is gray. I hear it moving.

She points out the amniotic fluid surrounding, acting as a cushion for our baby. Then I see what she’s pointing out—a kidney-bean-shaped baby. Honestly, if she didn’t show us, I wouldn’t have known until I see the flicker of life and hear the fast thumping of our baby’s heartbeat.

“That’s our baby?” I ask, my heart racing nearly as fast our baby’s. I clutch Becca’s hand, but she doesn’t look at me. Instead, she stares at the screen, with tears in her eyes.

“Our baby,” she mumbles, tightening her grip on my fingers, then finally we share a moment when the doctor turns to print out the images. “It’s amazing. We created a life… a baby.”

Cupping her hand with both hands, I bring them to my mouth, pressing a kiss on her smooth skin.

“We did.”

“When can we find out if it’s a boy or girl?” Becca asks.

“After eighteen weeks by ultrasound or now by blood test. Do you want to know?”

Becca says, “Yes.”

And at the same time, I say, “No.” Our heads snap in the other’s direction.

The doctor chuckles. “Don’t worry. I would say at least half of all couples differ on that one. Why don’t you all discuss it and let me know at the next appointment?”

“Yes, ma’am.”

“You can get dressed and check out at the first window. I can see that this baby is well loved.”

Becca grins at me. “Yes, he is.”

When Dr. Sasha leaves, I ask, “He?”

“I know the baby is a boy.”

With a twerked brow, I ask, “And how is that, my bride-to-be?”

She nudges my arm with a teasing smile. “Because only a boy would have me this queasy every morning—he’s already trying his best to make me late and throw me off my game.”

A slow rolling chuckle finds its way from my lips. “Looks like I’ve got a little competition for the most annoying guy in your life. But I love a good competition.”

Becca’s hands fly over her face when we walk into Gertie’s, and everyone yells surprise. She hasn’t mentioned her birthday once today, and I specifically asked her friends and family not to call or text, wanting to throw her a surprise party.

Our friends and family yell, “Happy Birthday.”

She spots her parents and runs straight for them. “I thought you forgot.”

Her dad squeezes her so hard, I almost step in to protect the baby.

Then I realize I’m being irrational. It wouldn’t be the first time.

Mrs. Shearer says, “Oh baby. I could never forget my baby’s birthday, especially yours, princess.

Four sixteen in the morning is unforgettable.

John, thanks for putting this together. We’re so happy that you and Becca found each other as more than friends. ”

Corbin and I told her family and friends to watch the Notes/Rattlers game last night so they could see the proposal. For the first couple of hours, all we did was answer calls of congratulations on our engagement.

“Thanks, Mr. and Mrs. Shearer. I should have called you to ask, but I’ve had a lot going on. And I promise, anything you’ve heard isn’t the full story.”

He folds his hand over my shoulder, squeezing it, and says, “We know who you are. You were there for my baby girl when she was going through some painful times. And you’ve been there for Corbin for years. Welcome to the family. Because make no mistake, when you get Becca, you get all of us.”

My eyes pan around the room at Becca’s eight siblings—Vance is overseas, serving in the military—their wives or girlfriends, their aunts, uncles, and cousins. “That’s a lot of family but thank you, sir.”

Madison runs up to Becca, dragging a six-foot six guy behind her. Dane and Lettie are not far behind.

“Happy birthday, bestie!” Madison screams, wrapping her in a hug. “And congratulations. We need to plan the wedding.”

Becca stays in the embrace for a few seconds before pushing back and says, “You’re a liar. I thought we were having dinner with you and… Deandre. Deandre!” She quickly grabs him and squeezes his waist.

Since Becca dances for the Fireflies, she knows all of Dane’s teammates.

They had a “Meet the Team” night, and Deandre stuck to her and Dane like glue.

He’s young, so I hope Madison knows what she’s getting into.

Madison is a fantastic human being, so I pull him aside while Becca and Madison chat at a thousand miles per hour.

“Nice to meet you, DeAndre. I’m John.” We shake hands. “Is this your first date?”

He nods. “Yeah, but we’ve been talking on the phone.”

“Be good to her, or Dane and everyone else here will… well, let’s leave it at that.”

He forces a laugh.

Becca’s younger brother, Jasper, comes over and gives me a choreographed handshake. “Hey, how’s it going, old man?”

“Watch it. I’m not too old to beat you.” He looks as if he has gained thirty pounds of muscle in the past six months. “How did summer hockey go? Corbin said you went to Michigan to play.”

“Man, it was awesome. Of course, my team won almost every game. Because… you know, I’m awesome.”

He reminds me of me, not Corbin. Corbin never flaunted his skills or talked about them.

Instead, he just let his skills speak for themselves.

But Jasper and I are cut from another cloth.

The cockiness fuels our desire to be the best and to stay on top.

It intimidates most other athletes at the high school and college level, giving you that little bit of “extra.”

I’ve rented out the restaurant, which is known for its vast selection of bourbons and cognacs. It also sports the biggest screen television that’s not an actual sports bar.

After we make our rounds, talking to our guests, the salads are served.

During this time, there’s less noise, and we can hear the hockey game between Reed and Bryce’s team, the Georgia Jets and the Los Angeles Vipers.

I lean over to Becca and ask if she wants to tell everyone about the baby.

Her smile widens and nods, before giving me a chaste kiss.

I stand and tap my glass. “Thank you for coming to celebrate my beautiful fiancée’s birthday.

Thank you, Corbin, for all that you’ve done to help in the proposal and this party.

Now, you’ll be my brother and best friend.

I’ve crushed on your sister since college and truly never thought I’d be here, having a future with her.

I remember when she told me that Mamaw said she needed a hellraiser, not an accountant.

Becca was crying, and I was smiling inside, knowing I was the man she needed.

But I just waited. Wanted it to be on Becca’s terms. She’s the most intelligent woman I’ve ever known and damn, she loves and cares for everyone around her.

I love you, Becca. I’ve tried out many pet names for her.

Most she has kicked to the curb, but even though she doesn’t act like a princess, I promise I will always put you first like a princess. ”

I lean down to kiss her, then hand her a large envelope and tug her up to stand by me. “Happy birthday, Sunshine.”

She pulls out paperwork, and her eyes narrow as she skims it. “What is this?”

“Your birthday present.”

“But it’s a building?”

Then I give her a last surprise. “One night, you said if you could do anything you wanted for a career, you said you would be to cheer forever. So, now you can. Kinnon, come on out.”

Her eyes widen and when her long-time stunt partner, Kinnon, appears, Becca scoots the chair back and runs to him. I must admit it, I’m a little jealous how he swings her around.

“What are you doing here? I mean I’m glad you are, but you were living out west.”

He grins. “I’m the new co-owner of a cheer gym with you. What do you say? Let’s teach guys and gals of all ages how it’s done.”

“Oh my God, yes!” She gives him a quick hug and comes right back to me. “How and when did you do this? ”

Corbin helped me find the gym. “You’re my girl, and you deserve to have a career you love, and you love competitive cheer.”

Happy tears flow down her cheeks as I surround her with my arms. Our guests collectively swoon, and everything fades to black as our lips part, and the kissing begins.

We’re snapped out of it by the television.

“Breaking news. This just in.” The feed changes from the ballgame to someone getting handcuffed. “Giacomo Saccone, music mogul arrested. The government has charged him with racketeering, among a long list of other crimes.”

Most people in the room gasp. They all know I dated his daughter Stella.

“He’s also charged with attempting to fix sports games. Most notably, the Rattler/Gambler game last year. The hockey player, John Basilio, has been cleared of all charges.”

Relief floods every cell in my body. I kiss Becca on the temple. “You would think they would tell me first.”

“You wore a wire and helped them get what they needed. They probably presumed you knew.”

“Always the lawyer,” I say cheekily and wishing my dad could have been here but the feds had other plans.

The broadcast switches back to the hockey game, and the announcers share the news that I didn’t fix the game.

I point to the bartender, and he turns the volume down. “Well, it seems we have news, news, and yet we still have more news. Becca and I would like to share the most exciting news ever. Becca.”

She swallows, then places her hands on her stomach. “John and I are expecting a baby.”

Oakley screams the loudest. “Why didn’t you tell me? Oh my God, I’m going to be an aunt. Auntie Oakley.”

Then Corbin says, “See, I told you should have been named Auntie Oakley.”

She smirks. “You said Annie Oakley. ”

They’re as much in love as we are, and I can’t wait to start my life with Becca and our family. I need to find out if anything is happening to my dad, but it will have to wait until tomorrow. Tonight, I’m celebrating my new life—with my new family.