“I’ll be more mindful.”

Dr. Contreras smiles and shakes my hand. “Good. I’ll see you in a few weeks.”

She turns to Liam and he returns the gesture. “She’ll eat . . . no worries.”

“Thanks, caveman. Go put your club away before you hit yourself on the head,” I say grabbing my coat.

The doctor laughs while leaving the room. Liam and I head to the car, I look closer at the sonogram to see if I can figure out if it’s a boy or girl. It’s going to kill me to wait until the gender reveal. Reanell and her stupid party. I was against it from the beginning, but somehow she tricked Liam into thinking this would be a fun idea.

Aidan returns from Ireland next week and is coming into Dulles, so he asked if he could come for a visit and meet Aarabelle. We figured we could spend the week with him and then find out the sex of the baby.

I groan, “I can’t tell if I see a penis.” I huff and throw myself back on the seat.

“Careful with the pushing on the seat please.”

“You’re kidding me?”

“Sweetheart, Robin has been good to us.”

“Robin can’t fit two kids in the back.” I call this to his attention and the shock ripples across his face.

“That’s not even funny if you’re telling me what I think you’re telling me.”

I turn slightly so I can watch this. “You and Robin are going to need to come to some kind of understanding. You’re going to need a new woman.”

“Robin is mine and I am hers.”

“I thought I was yours,” I raise my brow.

“But . . . you . . . but . . .” Liam splutters and grips the wheel. I wouldn’t ask him to sell his car, but this is almost too fun.

“It’s just not practical.” I shrug and turn my head so he can’t see my smile.

“What if we have an every other weekend deal?”

I swear I’ve never seen a man so attached to a piece of metal before, but this is Liam. The man who fed my child cake and tied her diaper on with rope. He’s the guy who will wax his car by hand for two hours to ensure the paint stays pristine. I really hope we have a girl, because if it’s a boy, he’ll be teaching him this same craziness.

“I’ll think about it.”

“I’ll make it worth your while.” Liam’s voice is full of promise.

I giggle and sink into the seat. I’m happy. Deliriously happy. I have the most amazing man, a beautiful little girl, and another baby on the way. Aaron is alive, and we both have a way to find peace. He and Liam have been speaking in very small doses, but it feels like things are how they were meant to be.

“You look beautiful,” Jackson says as he kisses my cheek.

“Thanks, I’m getting huge.” I feel like I keep saying the same thing. I swear, I’m going to wind up giving birth to a damn toddler.

It’s finally gender reveal day. I’ve had to fight the urge to call the bakery pretending I’m Reanell and need the color of the cake. It’s been killing me not knowing. I’ve debated killing her for talking me into this. She claims I owe her since Mason is deployed and she has no other means of fun.

“Nonsense.” Jackson steps inside before I see Catherine behind him.

“Cat!” I scream and embrace her. “You didn’t say you were coming.”

“I wouldn’t miss it. I had to come to New York for a meeting, so I planned it so I could be here.”

“How’s wedding planning?”

“Going . . . we’re not in a rush. What about you? Jackson said you and Liam . . .”

I show her the ring and she gasps. “Wow, that’s breathtaking.”

“It was his mother’s ring.”

“It’s beautiful. Any guesses on the baby?” She smiles as her shoulders scrunch up.

“I think it’s a girl. Liam swears it’s a girl too.”

We’ve argued for two weeks about the sex. Before I can explain, I feel a hand on my lower back.

“It’s a girl,” Liam’s husky voice says from behind me.

“I really think you should change to thinking it’s a boy,” I say for the tenth time today.

“Not a chance, sweetheart. If you want someone to be wrong, it’s going to be you.” Liam’s hand snakes down and squeezes my butt.

I slap him and scoff, “He’s impossible.”

“Wait,” Catherine says confused. “You want him to think opposite?”

“Yes, that way he’s wrong, and I can gloat.” Makes perfect sense to me.

“I thought Jackson and I were competitive.” Catherine laughs as someone else knocks on the door.

“Excuse me,” I say and walk to see who’s is here.

“Now,” Reanell says as soon as the door opens. She has the cake in her hand, and I have to remember I need to keep it together. “Before you do something stupid like tackle me . . .” She waits until I look at her eyes. “You will behave, or I’ll never watch your kids, and when Liam pisses you off, I’ll tell him things to fuel his argument.”

“Some friend you are.”

“God, you’re a peach when you’re pregnant,” she laughs and eyes me as she moves past me.

“Good enough to eat,” Liam says hushed against my ear.

“Change your choice!” I yell and rush after him. I wrap my arms around his back and he sighs.

When we’re like this, nothing can hurt me. He blankets the fears that threaten to smother me. With him there is peace.

Liam turns then his arms cross against my back. He holds me as his blue eyes prick with wonder. “You are trouble.” He slants down and kisses me. “Good thing I like trouble.” Another kiss to my lips.

“Let’s go cut our cake . . .” I try to lure him.

“Have you been cramping at all?” Liam asks seriously.

I’ve had a few sparingly, but nothing like the last time. I’ve been taking it easy and trying to stay off my feet. Of course, Aarabelle doesn’t fully get that, so Paige has been brought on as a full-time nanny for a work-from-home mom. She helps with so much more than I could expect, and she’s very attached to Aara.

“No, Dad. I’ve been good. I promise I’ll be careful.”

“There’s my wife!” Mark comes in with his booming voice. “How’s our sparkly baby coming along?”

“You’re so dumb.” I laugh and hit his arm.

“Hands off my woman, Twilight,” Liam warns with a hint of playfulness in his voice.

“Or what?”

“I’ll kick your ass.”

“Bring it. I’m twice your age and twice your size.” He winks at me and taunts Liam. “When the doctors told us the great news, we were thrilled . . . then we realized we’d have to tell you.”

“Oh, for the love of God.” I push Mark, and they both burst out laughing.

“Did you see her face?” Mark says between guffaws.

“Dude, we had her good.”

“Assholes,” I mutter and walk away.

Quinn arrives late as usual, and we all grab seats and catch up. This is more like a barbeque than anything else. Aarabelle is, of course, on Liam’s lap most of the day and occasionally she and Jackson play a little. Knowing how Jackson also lost a child breaks my heart. His daughter or son would’ve been almost four I think. He will really be such an amazing dad one day.