“Don’t worry, Lucy. I’m not in love with you either,” he responds. “At least not yet.”

My heart flutters at the implications of his words, and apparently they’re enough for the both of us, because we continue to lie there in silence. I smile into the darkness when Kale’s hand settles protectively on my stomach. For the first time since I took that pregnancy test, I feel completely at ease, and I’m more than excited at the prospect of a future with Kale.

Kale

PACING BACK and forth in the room, I’m aware that I’m probably going to burn a hole in the carpet, but holy shit, I’ve never been this nervous before. It was one thing when I saw the positive pregnancy test, but now that I’m in the doctor’s office with Lucy, the whole thing is suddenly becoming so real. Part of me feels like I could pass out, and the other part is bursting with excitement for our first ultrasound.

“Kale, calm down and come here,” Lucy requests, and I stop my pacing. She’s sitting up on the bed, waiting for the doctor. “What is with you? I’ve never seen you so nervous before.”

I swallow hard, knowing that this is something I think we’ll eventually have to talk about, but I try to push the memories out of my mind, not wanting to ruin this day for us. Ever since Lucy asked me out (she’s right—I’ll never let her live that down), things have been more than amazing. We’ve spent every night together, and even though we both know we still have things to discuss, namely about the baby, we’ve been just enjoying being a couple. I figure all the other complications will come soon enough. My past being one of them. There’s no reason to taint what we have this early. I’m sure she has her own secrets that’ll come out along the way. All that matters now is that we’re together and that she, and the baby, stay healthy.

“Not a huge fan of doctor’s offices. And those things scare me. Although, we could probably find a use for them until the doc comes in,” I tell her, giving her a wink as I gesture to the stirrups.

“As much as I’d love that right now, Kale, I don’t think we need to give Dr. Foster a preview of how this baby came to be,” she teases just as the door behind me opens.

“You’re absolutely right, Lucy. While I’m sure it was a most entertaining way to create the miracle of life, it is one mating ritual I do not need to witness,” the doctor says, giving us both a friendly smile. Embarrassment rushes through me, and I quickly hold my hand out to introduce myself.

“Kale Montgomery. Producer of the sperm that knocked her up,” I joke, causing Dr. Foster to laugh.

“Nice to meet you, Kale. That’s certainly an interesting introduction,” she says before sitting down on a stool next to Lucy. “How long have you two been together?

“Over a year,” I respond without hesitation. At the same time, Lucy unashamedly answers, “One week.”

Dr. Foster raises her eyebrows and looks back and forth between the two of us. “That’s quite a variation of time. I do have to say, though, Lucy, if your condition is any indication, it’s been a little longer than a week.”

“Super long story short? We’ve been best friends for over a year and have only recently decided to be together romantically,” Lucy explains without missing a beat.

“Ah, I love a good friends-to-lovers story. Sometimes those are the best ones. All right, let’s get down to business,” she replies, and I check out when they start talking about menstrual cycles and conception dates. I especially don’t listen the moment I hear Lucy ask about hemorrhoids.

I return my attention to the women when I see Lucy slide off the bed. “No ultrasound today?” I ask, wanting more than anything than to see my baby for my own eyes, even if I wouldn’t be able to point out a single thing on the screen.

“I love eager fathers-to-be, but no, not today. It looks like Lucy’s eight weeks pregnant. We’ll wait a couple of weeks and do an ultrasound then, but would you like to know your estimated due date?”

I swallow hard, not sure I’m ready to hear the day, knowing it’ll seem way too far away but will also come all too soon. “Yes, please. We’d love to know,” I tell her as I move to the hospital bed and grab ahold of Lucy’s hand. She gives me an encouraging squeeze as we both wait to hear the date.

“June fifth, 2014.”

My heart constricts, and as much as I thought this felt real before, an overwhelming sense of happiness washes over me from knowing that I now have a real date to look forward to.

Looking down at Lucy, I see a couple of tears spill over onto her cheeks, and I use my thumb to wipe them away. “It’s November, baby. It’ll be June before we know it. I guess we better start preparing for this little guy,” I comment, and she lets out a small laugh.

“What makes you think it’s a boy?”

“I honestly don’t care. I’ll be happy as long as our baby is healthy. But seriously, Lucy? Raising a little girl that looks just like you? That might lead to an early grave for me.”

She shakes her head as she hops off the table. Dr. Foster smiles at us and gives me a sympathetic pat on the shoulder. “Many fathers before you have raised little girls. They may end up gray sooner than most, but I assure you, you’ll do just fine no matter what gender you have. But if I were you, I’d do some reading. You’ll never be fully prepared, but having an arsenal of information in your brain can’t hurt either.”

I nod, thanking her for the tip, making a mental note to head to the bookstore later this afternoon. This is real. Come June next year, I’ll be a father, and seeing as how I never really had one of my own, I need all the help I can get.

Dr. Foster leads us out to reception, where Lucy schedules her next appointment. Once she’s all set, I take hold of Lucy’s hand and intertwine our fingers as we head out into the unusually warm November afternoon. When we settle in the car, I glance over at her.

“I’m on leave the rest of the day, baby. Do you need to go back to school?”

She shakes her head. “I have a sub for the entire day. I’m at your mercy, Kale. Do your worst. Or well, actually your best. Do your best.”

Laughing, I pull the car out of the parking lot and head towards Nashville, ready to take my girl out. “Lucy Dawson, will you do me the honor of going out with me on our first official date? I know I’m supposed to ask days in advance and let you spend hours getting ready while I pace in your living room, but nothing about us has ever been conventional, has it?”

She throws me a cute smile before nodding her head. “Fortunately for you, I’ve never been a fan of convention, so our first official date on the day that we found out our baby’s due date seems perfect. Life is full of surprises, and that’s the way I like it,” she says, rubbing her belly for emphasis.

I lean over and place my hand on her stomach. “I know this probably sounds weird, so please don’t laugh at me, but I’m really looking forward to watching your body change. I can’t wait to feel the baby kick. And your boobs getting bigger will be a definite plus, too,” I joke, earning a punch in the arm.

“Okay, that was all nice and sweet until you ruined it with the boob comment. I thought you liked my small less-than-handful breasts,” she teases. “And speak for yourself. While I cannot wait to feel the baby kick, I’ve heard horror stories. As for my stomach, I’m kind of with you. I know it probably sounds weird, just like you said, but I’m ready for the signs of my pregnancy that don’t involve puking. So often, I find myself rubbing my hands over my stomach, and I can’t wait to feel the bump there as our child grows inside me. And okay, fine. I am kinda looking forward to my boobs getting bigger. That’s definitely one plus to the impending weight gain.”

I take my hand off her stomach to grab hers, setting our entwined hands on her thigh. “Don’t worry about the weight gain, Luce. We’ll make sure you have a completely healthy pregnancy, and I’ll do my part in making sure that you eat lots and lots of Kale.”