hapter 81
Chapter 84
Leah
“Your babies are just fine. See? That’s baby one, and that’s baby two. Perfectly fine,” Doctor Novak smiles the ultrasound wand over my swollen belly. But her blinding white teeth aren’t what I’m staring at
at me as she runs
“Is that…a penis?” I ask in a small voice. Caleb and I never went to find out the gender of our babies, but it’s impossible to miss their genders now–it looks like two boys!
Caleb leans in closer to the screen, his eyes wide with wonder. “Are those…are we having two boys?”
Doctor Novak’s smile immediately falls from her face when she realizes that we–the two people who didn’t want to know the gender of their children–are now staring at the screen.
Doctor Novak bites her lip, looking guilty. “I’m so sorry. I forgot that you didn’t want to know the genders. Yes, it appears you’re having two boys. I should have been more careful with the ultrasound positioning.
“Oh, we don’t care,” I beam at Doctor Novak. “I’m actually too excited to be upset.”
“Same here,” Caleb says, shocking me by the low timbre of his voice.
Call me crazy, but something about his tone of voice sends a wave of heat through me. And then, when he looks at me all sexily, my heart picks up speed. Is it just me, or is he acting differently?
I stare at Caleb, absorbed by how he moves and talks with Doctor Novak. He feels more…confident and mischievous–like the old Caleb. And then, when Doctor Novak leaves, he gives me a look that could send any woman into cardiac arrest. It’s a subtle smile, but the look in his eyes? Gosh, I think the room just got hotter.
“So,” Caleb drawls. “Looks like we are having boys.. Any name suggestions?”
1 study Caleb carefully, my heart beating hard against my ribcage. There’s something different about him–the way he’s looking at me, the confident set of his broad shoulders. It reminds me so much of the Caleb I fell in love with.
“Caleb,” I say slowly, “Are you…feeling okay?”
He quirks an eyebrow at me, that familiar half–smirk playing on his lips. “I’m feeling great, actually. Why do you ask?”
I hesitate, not wanting to get my hopes up too much. “You just seem…different. More like your old self.”
Caleb’s smirk widens into a full grin. “That’s because I am my old self, sweetheart. My memories–they’re back.”
My breath catches in my throat. “What? When? How?”
Amusement dances in his eyes as he moves closer, taking my hand in his. “It started happening gradually over the past few weeks. I’ve been remembering small stuff here and there. Nothing mindblowing, but being here in the hospital eeing the ultrasound–it all came rushing back. Every moment, every memory of us.”
Color me shocked. “You remember everything? Like everything everything?”
“Everything,” he confirms, squeezing my swollen hand in his larger one. Including how madly in love with you!
Iam.”
1 push myself up from the bed to throw my arms around his neck. Caleb turns tense, surprised by the attention, until I let out the first sob. And that’s when he hugs me back.
1/4
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Chapter 81
“Shh, it’s okay,” he murmurs, half–laughing at how emotional being right now. “I’m here. I’m back.”
I pull back to look at him, drinking in the gleam in his eyes before I release his neck to grab his cheeks instead. Caleb grimaces. “Wh–what chu doin‘?” he asks while I pull the skin of his cheeks this way and that.
“Just making sure that you’re real and this isn’t a dream.
He tries his best to smile. “And do 1 pass?”
69%
“Oh, Caleb. You definitely pass,” I say with a grin, releasing his cheeks so I don’t break his face. I still want him to look pretty. “I can’t believe your memories are back, that YOU are back.”
Caleb rubs his now–reddened cheeks, but he’s smiling. “I’m glad that my memories are back too. It’s like… I’ve been seeing you through a fog, and now everything is clear again.”
“I’m glad,” I smile up at him like a fool, but once I realize I’m staring and rapidly growing hornier, I clear my throat. “So. what do you think about us having two boys?”
Caleb’s eyes–no, his whole face–light up with excitement. “I think it’s amazing Two little mini–mes running around? The world better watch out.”
I laugh, swatting his arm playfully. “Oh god, I hope they don’t inherit your MASSIVE ego.
“Hey!” he protests, but he chuckles too. “My ego isn’t massive! It’s perfectly sized, thank you very much.”
“Sure it is, Mr. CEO,” I tease..
Caleb’s expression softens as he places a hand on my swollen belly. In all seriousness, though, I couldn’t be happier. Two healthy boys…we’re so blessed, Leah.”
1 cover his hand with mine, feeling a wave of emotion wash over me. “We really are.”
Just then, one of the babies kicks right where our hands are resting. We both gasp, then burst into laughter.
“I think they know their daddy is back,” I say with a smile, my eyes welling up with happy tears. I feel like such a wimp crying like this, but who can blame me? My man is back!
Caleb isn’t any better than me, anyway. His eyes are shining with barely restrained tears as well. It’s a wonder he manages to keep his voice natural.
“Maybe they do,” he says before putting on a baby voice for our babies. “Hey there, little guys. Daddy’s here, and he can’t wait to meet you.”
As if responding to their dad, there’s another kick, this time from the other side of my belly. Caleb laughs in delight
“Wow, they’re really active tonight,” he says, gently rubbing the spot where the kick came from.
“Tell me about it,” I groan good–naturedly. “They’ve been using my bladder as a soccer ball all day.” Caleb looks at me with concern. “Are you comfortable? Do you need anything?”
“No.” I smile at his attentiveness. “Tm fine, really. Just ready to have these boys out in the world.”
“Soon,” Caleb promises, leaning in to kiss my forehead. “Very soon.”
Sat Feb
Chapter 81
We stay in the room for a few more examinations, and once were cleared to go, we head back to the car. Calebs opens the door for me with a mysterious expression, and I laugh.
“What?”
He smirks. “What, what?”
I roll my eyes. “You’re thinking about something”
“I am,” he confirms. “But it’s nothing important.”
“Just tell me.”
“Soooo,” he drawls, “about those names…”
I laugh. “Right, we should probably figure that out before they arrive. Any ideas?”
Caleb scratches his chin thoughtfully. “Well, I’ve always liked the name Ethan.”
“Ethan,” I repeat, testing it out on my tongue. “That’s a good name, and sure, I can agree to Ethan if you can agree to call our other son Maddox.
Caleb’s eyebrows shoot up. “Maddox? Where did that name come from?”
I smile sheepishly. “I may have been browsing baby name websites during those long nights when I couldn’t sleep. Maddox just stuck with me.”
Caleb mulls it over for a moment. “Maddox… Hmm… Ethan and Maddox Steele,” after saying the names together, a grin spreads across his face. “I like both of those names. There is a nicering to them.”
“Really?” I ask, surprised he agreed so easily. “You’re not just saying that to make me happy?”
Caleb chuckles. “No, I genuinely like the names. Ethan and Maddox. Our little boys.
Motherly warmth floods through me at his words, making me stroke my palm over my swollen stomach. “Our little boys,” repeat softly. “I can’t wait to meet them.”
“Same here,” Caleb smiles. “But first, we have a wedding to survive.”
I pout. “Right.”
Caleb laughs at the face I’m pulling. “Why do you look so unhappy all of a sudden? Don’t you want to marry me?”
“I do, but…”
“Bur?”
I sigh. “I know this is going to sound silly, but I’m worried about wearing a dress when I’m this pregnant, Caleb.”
“And why is that?”
“Because when I’m dressed in all white, I’m going to look like a waddling wedding cake.”
Caleb laughs. “Maybe, but you’re still-” He trails off when I shout him a death glare that could rival the one belonging to
19:08 Sat, Feb 1 B
Chapter 84
Medusa.
“You’re not supposed to agree with me, you asshole! You’re supposed to say I’m pregnant, not fat”
Caleb’s eyes widen in alarm at my outburst. “Whoa, whoa, I did mean it like that at all!” He holds up his hands in surrender. “You’re going to be the most beautiful bride!”
I cross my arms over my chest, still feeling a bit hurt but realizing I might have overreacted. “You promise?
Caleb places his palm over his chest. “Hand on my heart.”
I’m happy with that answer and lean back into the seat with a satisfied smile. “Good. Now, let’s head home. I want to watch Grey’s Anatomy until the sun rises with Ben & Jerry’s ice cream in my lap.”
Caleb chuckles and closes the door. I then hear him say from outside, “Your wish is my command, my love. Though I have to warn you, I might fall asleep halfway through the marathon!
freely admire Jackson’s butt.”
Caleb narrows his eyes playfully as he gets himself seated behind the wheel. Jackson’s butt, huh? Should I be jealous of a fictional character?”
That’s okay,” I say with a grin. “More ice cream for me. And also, with you asleep, I c
I laugh at him. “Definitely not. Your butt is far superior.”
“Good answer, Caleb says with a smirk that would make any woman with red blood in their veins shiver in anticipation. Though I might need you to prove that assessment later”
“Oh really?” I raise an eyebrow, excited since my darker husband is back. It means nothing in his head is vanilla. “And how exactly would you like me to do that?”
Caleb’s eyes darken with desire. “I have a few ideas… Want me to enlighten you at home?”
