Page 118 of Unruly

“I found the competition you kept quiet.”

Catrina’s gaze narrowed with interest. “Oh?”

“Just another thing to add on the pile.”

Her mother turned, and waved at the waiting driver to open the car door. “As you said, Catty, there is always something.”

“I suppose you’re not going to help me clean up these problems that have come up in your absence?”

Catrina slid into the car. “Not at all. You’re doing so well. Why would I step in?”

Catherine climbed in after her mother. “Not even surprised.”

“You needed this, Catty.”

She had.

More than she had known.

“Close your eyes.”

Cross sat at the head of the table, but had turned the chair to face Catherine. “Why?”

“Just do it.”

“But—”

“Stop ruining our moment, Cross.”

“What moment?”

She gave him a look, and he raised his hands in surrender before closing his eyes. Digging in her clutch, Catherine pulled out the black and white images she had gotten at the hospital the day before.

Cross had been so busy with things that he hadn’t gotten home until late. Catherine was distracted by their daughter, and Cece’s interest in decorating her “second room” as she was now calling the bedroom she used in the brownstone. Now that she had five minutes with Cross alone while Cece was busy in the next room, she could do this.

Catherine held the pictures up. “Okay, open your eyes.”

Cross opened one. And then two as soon as he saw what was in front of his face.

With a laugh, he plucked the sonogram pictures out of Catherine’s hands. There wasn’t very much to see, given she wasn’t far along, but it was enough.

The baby was growing.

Thriving.

“The heartbeat is strong,” Catherine told him.

Cross smiled, but kept looking at the images in front of him. She figured that was just his way of reminding himself that this was one less thing he had to worry about for the moment. The baby was okay, and the pregnancy was coming along well.

“It’s a girl,” Cross said, quiet and sure.

Catherine put a hand to her hip. “Why do you think that?”

“I just … do.”

“That’s not very scientific or factual.”

Cross shrugged. “My gut says girl, Catty.”