“Well, you never know what could happen and we are not missing this appointment.” I grab her around the waist and pull her against me. I press my lips against hers, kissing her slowly. “We get to hear our peanut’s heartbeat today. Get moving, woman!” I smack her ass and step back out of her reach.

She just shakes her head and laughs.

“Let’s go, papa bear,” she says, leading the way out to the car.

We arrive almost a half an hour early for the appointment. Yes, she was right, but damn it, I’m excited. The waiting room is filled with expectant mothers but no fathers, just me. I wonder what the hell those guys are thinking. I plan to be here every step of the way.

They call us back to a room much faster than I would have anticipated, and Kens is asked to change into a gown. I’m not thrilled with the fact her doctor is a male or that he’ll be seeing her in places only I should be. However, I did my research on the guy and he’s the best. I will swallow back the jealousy in me to ensure Kensi and our peanut receive the best care possible.

The first part of the appointment consists of the doctor asking all kinds of questions like breast tenderness, morning sickness, and a ton of other things. He reminds Kens to take her prenatal vitamins and to drink lots of water and try to steer away from large amounts of caffeine.

“Now the fun part,” he says. He has Kens lie back on the table and pull up her gown. He brings out this contraption that has a speaker attached to it. He places some gel on her belly; I assume it’s cold because she flinches at the contact. He places the other end of the contraption on the gel and swirls it around. At first, it just sounds like rushing water, but then I hear it loud and clear. The steady thump, thump, thump of our baby’s heartbeat.

“There you go, folks, strong and steady,” the doctor says.

I close my eyes and take in the sound. The emotions that are swarming inside me are intense. I’m so in love with this tiny person who I’ve never met.

“Maxton.” Her voice has me opening my eyes and looking at her. Her eyes are filled with tears and she’s wearing a blinding smile across her face.

I can’t speak. There is a lump in my throat, and even if I could, I wouldn’t have the words for this moment. So instead, I do what I do best and kiss her. I kiss her like my life depends on it. I kiss her with all the love in my heart and passion deep inside my soul. Pulling away, I hear the doctor’s low chuckle. I speak the three little words that are not strong enough but all that I can think of at the moment. “I love you.”

Truth.

TODAY IS MY wedding day. It’s bittersweet for me. My heart aches that my mother is not here, but it’s also filled with so much love for the man who I will soon call my husband. I still think Mom somehow sent Max to me. She knew he was the kind of man I could trust and who would love me irrevocably. I know, in reality, it’s not possible, but it’s my fairy tale and I’m sticking to it.

We decided against a large wedding. I’m packing my last two semesters into one, which, thankfully, is not a huge load. I was ahead of schedule and only needed three classes to finish my degree. One of which involves my externship that allows me to spend time with my fiancé at his business, our business as he likes to remind me.

The wedding is actually being held at our home. I have school, and really, we just didn’t want big. Just us, my dad, Bright, and Nicole and that’s it. Short, sweet, and simple, exactly how we want it.

“You look beautiful, sweetheart.” My dad’s voice comes from behind me. I turn to him and smile.

“Thank you.” I look down at my simple white silk gown, which is doing nothing to hide my barely there baby bump. I’m fourteen weeks and finally starting to show. Maxton cannot keep his hands off my belly. I would be irritated if it wasn’t so sweet. “I wish she was here.”

“Me too, Kensi. You look just like her, you know? She would have been so damn proud of the woman you have become.” He chokes up on his words. “I’m proud of you too. You fought back against the pain; you allowed yourself to open up and love, to be loved. You couldn’t have chosen a better man to spend your life with.”

“I never allowed myself to want this.” I lay my hands over my baby. “Never thought there would be a man who would take the time to get to know all of me and love me despite it. He does.” I look up at him. “He loves me and the baby so much that my heart is bursting with it, Dad.”

“I know that, baby girl. I know how he feels. It’s the same exact way I feel with you and your mother. I will love her until the day I take my last breath.”

I’m wiping away tears when Nicole walks into the room. “I knew it,” she says, placing her hands on her hip. “I knew you would be in here messing up my handiwork. Off you go. I’ll let you know when we’re ready,” she scolds my dad.

He chuckles at her, kisses my cheek then hers, and leaves the room. “Now. Let’s get you fixed up. Max is liked a caged bear down there. He’s going to wear a hole in the carpet if we don’t get you beside him soon.” She laughs.

When she has me presentable once again, she opens the door and yells for my dad. He appears and holds his arm out for me. We walk into the living room arm in arm. Maxton’s eyes lock with mine as Dad leads me to him. As soon as I’m within reaching distance, he reaches out and places a hand on my hip, pulling me to him. My dad throws his head back and laughs a deep belly laugh. “No point in telling you to love her right or to remind you to take care of her, I see,” he says.

“Nope, not necessary,” Max says, kissing my temple.

We turn to face Brighton. He became ordained so he could marry us? Apparently, it was a long-running joke between him and Max that if the other fell in love and got married, that the other would be the one to marry them. Nicole thought it was hilarious. Little does she know that Bright is not the only one who became ordained. Maxton and Bright did it at the same time. Bright is planning on popping the question soon.

The ceremony, or lack thereof, is short and sweet, again just how we like it. It’s more of a formality than anything. We’ve already pledged our lives to one another and to our baby. Maxton says the best part was finally kissing his wife. Sweet Maxton is here every day. He is the man I fell in love with and the man who just became my husband. Sometimes it feels like a dream, this happiness we have found. If it is, I don’t ever want to wake up.

IT’S A BOY. We found out yesterday that we’re having a boy. I don’t think I’ve stopped smiling since the doctor uttered the words. I would have been just as happy with a little girl who looks like her mama, my wife. I think a lot of the happiness comes from getting to see him. We had a three dimensional ultrasound and it was… life altering to be able to see him growing inside of her. Life is good.

Today is Friday and Kens and I are at the bar. We spend Fridays here together more often than not. She now knows the ins and outs of the business; we are partners in all aspects of our life and I would not want it any other way.

She’s currently in the office entering invoices into the computer. “Hey, babe, you hungry? I thought I could run down the street and pick up some lunch.”

“Yes.” She rubs her belly. “Your son and I are starving.”

My son.

“How about I go get it? There are a few invoices here that I’m not sure about. You can take a look at them while I’m gone.”

“I can—” She holds up her hand, cutting me off.

“Maxton, I am pregnant not dying. The doctor said me and the baby are healthy and doing great. The short walk of what, fifty feet, will be good for me.”