The nurse took my blood, checked my vitals, weight, etc.… and eventually we were ready for the ultrasound.

I lifted my gown and the doctor took a scary-looking wand from a machine. “This may be uncomfortable, but it’ll help us get a better idea on how far along you are. We need to give you a transvaginal ultrasound because you’re still in the early stages.”

I looked at Romeo and grimaced. He nodded at me supportively and I melted watching how he was practically on the end of his seat in anticipation. I gave his hand a squeeze and he kissed mine with a small, anxious smile.

“Okay, you two, let’s meet your baby.”

Doctor Adams inserted the plastic wand and I flinched at the uncomfortable sensation. That was quickly forgotten the minute a grainy picture popped onto the screen beside us. At first it was just a blurry, foggy storm of nothing, until he manoeuvred the device and we heard it—the heavenly rhythm of a small beating heart. Something flickered on the monitor and there it was, our baby, nestled snuggly in my womb, about the size of a kidney bean.

Any fears I had dissipated with every melodic thrum of my baby’s tiny heartbeat, and Romeo clenched his lips tightly as a single tear dripped slowly from his eye. I lifted my thumb and stroked it away, loving how much he wanted this child… wanted us.

At that moment, I became a mother and by the awed look on Romeo’s beautiful face, he became a daddy.

Doctor Adams tinkered with the machine and smiled. “Everything looks great and it measures as though you are… about… ah… about eight weeks along.”

Eight weeks.

Doctor Adams pressed a button and a picture came out of a printer, and he handed me the square piece of film that held the image of our little angel, the endearment Romeo had begun to call our little son or daughter.

I stared; I couldn’t stop staring at the small, black-and-white picture. Romeo leaned over me and kissed my head without saying a word, his throat clogged with emotion.

“You can get dressed now, Molly, and we’ll see you again in about two months unless you experience any problems we discussed, and then you need to come straight back.”

“Can we find out the sex then?” I asked quickly.

“Hopefully.” Doctor Adams stood and shook our hands once more, tapping Romeo’s back. “Congratulations, son, I’ll see you at the SEC Championship in Georgia and Roll Tide!”

Romeo gripped his arm in a manly way. “Roll Tide.” And with that, the doctor left the room.

Silence stretched between us as the significance of what had just happened sank in.

I handed Romeo the picture and guided my legs off the bed. Romeo reached out for me, helped me down, and crushed me tightly to his chest.

“Romeo what—”

“Thank you, Mol. Just… thank you…”

21

“Bloody hell, Angel. That’s just scared the absolute crap out of me! You’d better not be that difficult when you finally make your arrival,” I announced, as I lovingly rubbed my stomach.

I’d decided to be proactive with reading up on all things pregnancy, and that little idea had just backfired.

Majorly backfired.

I was definitely going to have nightmares about forceps and after birth.

I threw down my copy of What To Expect When You’re Expecting on my desk like it harboured some contagious flesh-eating disease and walked out onto the balcony, leaning over the railing, admiring the beautiful green of the lawn and the clear blue winter sky.

Things had calmed down since I’d completed my research for Professor Ross’s academic journal and the final philosophy papers had been graded for this last semester.

I’d actually spent time with Romeo and it had been nothing short of perfect.

Lots of things had happened of late. Romeo had practically moved into my room, still climbing up my balcony like my personal Romeo Montague, causing the sorority girls to turn green with envy. The Crimson Tide football team had won their final game against LSU to place them in the SEC Division Championship, and they were the firm favourites to head for the BCS National Championship. And even more amazing, Romeo Prince, the love of my life, had been recently ranked as number-one quarterback in the country. I was so unbelievably proud of him, although he still cringed when I told him so.

Oh, and I was at peace now with being a mother.

I was going to be a mum.

I was shaking my head with an unbelieving smile, when Ally came crashing through my bedroom door, out of breath, and her brown eyes frantic.

“Molly, Rome’s just had a fight at practice. He’s practically killed Chris Porter.”

“Who the hell’s Chris Porter?”

“A wide receiver for the Tide and Shelly’s new f**k buddy.”

I pulled on my brown boots and snatched my black winter jacket off the coat stand. “Where is he?”

Ally was practically prancing at my door, desperate to leave. “He’s lost his shit and is tearing the gym apart. You need to go see him. You’re the only one who can calm him down.”

I ran out of the door and down the main set of stairs.

“What happened? What caused him to go so mad?” I asked hurriedly as we burst through the doors into the crisp, cool breeze of Alabama winter.

She threw her hands in the air. “I have no idea. Cass called me to get you. Your phone was going straight to voicemail.”

“I switched it off so I could concentrate on my reading.”

I took off running towards the gym, when Ally grabbed my arm and pulled me in the direction of her red Mustang. “I’ll drive. It’s quicker.”

We jumped in and I anxiously bit my nails, wondering what the heck could upset him so much. He’d been better lately, less angry, less aggressive.

I blanched.

“Do you think someone’s said something about the baby? That it’s got out somehow?”

Ally’s eyes crinkled in thought as she pulled out of the road. “No, who would tell? Anyone who knows wouldn’t say a damn thing to anyone. Cass hasn’t even told Jimmy-Don.”

I sighed and rubbed my temples. “I know. Where are Cass and Lexi?”

“At the gym. Cass was meeting Jimmy-Don there to go for food when Rome went psycho. Lexi was with her. Apparently, Austin and Jimmy-Don tried to calm him down, but he went for them too. The coach had already left the building, so they locked the door and left him to get it all out. He’s f**kin’ lost it if he’s going for his friends too!”