Page 56 of Fall Love

Her head in my lap. My fingers in her hair. Our baby in her belly.

This is reality, and it’s so much better.

CHAPTER 20

[Tate]

“And who is this?” The doctor asks, entering the room like she’s traveling on a gust of wind.

Neve’s OB/GYN is an older woman with ripples of gray hair and wrinkles for miles. She looks like she’s been practicing medicine since it was invented, but her smile is kind.

“This is Tate Love. He’s the father.”

Dr. Julie’s eyes open wide. “Well, welcome to the picture.”

I smile sheepishly, feeling chastised for not being in the picture as the idiom goes. “Happy to finally be in it.”

Dr. Julie looks at Neve, as if silently asking her if she’s happy about my presence.

“He’s growing on me.” Neve shrugs with an easy laugh, hugging that belly that looks like a pumpkin in her lap.

“He’s already done some growing.” Dr. Julie nods at Neve’s belly. “But let’s see how your girl is doing.”

I don’t know what I expected, but when Neve tips backward and the doctor pulls up stirrups, I suddenly wonder if I should be in here.

“You okay, Dad?” Dr. Julie asks, as she sets Neve’s feet in the holsters, then tells Neve to scoot closer to the edge of the table.

“Yep.” I swallow, knowing the doctor isn’t hurting Neve but still feeling on edge. From my position at Neve’s side, I can’t see exactly what the doctor is doing, but I know what she’s looking at.

Neve winces, and I reach for her hand, gripping it tightly with mine.

“Nothing yet,” the doctor says, her voice cheerful. At thirty-seven weeks plus a few days, Neve could go into labor at any time.

“But this is good, right?” I question. Going full term is what we want, although the likelihood of Neve going into labor early is greater because of her age.

“Everything in due time.” Dr. Julie pats Neve’s knee and stands from her stool. Neve drops her heels from the stirrups, and I help her sit up.

“Maybe consider again what I said about orgasms,” Dr. Julie says, keeping her eyes on Neve.

“What?” I snap, turning my head toward the doctor.

The doctor keeps a straight face as she glances at me. She waves toward her own belly as she explains. “Orgasms naturally produce oxytocin, which can trigger contractions. They can be helpful as Neve nears full-term.”

Dr. Julie looks at Neve again. “We need to start working on getting this baby out.” She arches a brow, perhaps knowing that Neve is nervous.

“I told you I’m willing to have a C-section. Just put me under and slice her out of me.”

I wrinkle my nose at Neve’s graphic description.

Dr. Julie laughs. “And I told you, only if necessary. I really think you can do this naturally.”

She winks at me, like I’m a conspirator here when I’m simply a bystander. I’m following Neve’s lead.

When the visit ends, I produce my insurance card. I’ve already called HR and added the baby.

“I can pay for myself,” Neve mutters.

“Yes. But I want to cover the baby.”