Off Script

Heartbeat On the Line

"I'm the baby's daddy. That's higher rank."

I rolled my eyes, but before I could fire back, he leaned closer to the camera.

"Matter fact... lift your shirt up and let me see how much my baby's growing."

"Michael..." I tried to sound annoyed, but my smile gave me away.

"Come on," he urged, that little grin tugging at the corner of his mouth.

I sighed dramatically, then pulled my shirt up just enough and gave him a slow twirl in front of the camera.

He groaned low.

"Man... you about to be so sick of me when I get back there."

I smirked.

"And why's that?"

"Because I'm not going to be able to keep my hands off you. Or them." His eyes dropped meaningfully before finding mine again. "The last time I saw you, you weren't showing at all, Mina... now I can't even believe it."

I rested a hand on my small bump, nodding.

"Maybe by the time you come, you'll be able to feel something. I know I've been feeling little flutters lately — especially when J.C. talks to them. It's so damn cute."

His face softened, and then I saw him swipe at the corner of his eye.

"Babe," I said gently. "You okay?"

He nodded quickly.

"Yeah... just hate this shit."

"Hey. Look at me," I said, tilting my head until his eyes met mine through the screen. "You're going to be here for the important parts. You'll be wrapped by the time he or she arrives — that's what matters."

His jaw tightened, but he exhaled, the fight in his expression easing.

"Yeah... you're right."

"Duh. I know I'm right — got two brains working here," I said, grinning.

He laughed.

"Smartass."

I sobered just enough to add,

"Just make sure you make the gender appointment, Michael. That's the big one. If we have to go longer without seeing you so you can make that one... then we make that sacrifice."

His eyes locked on mine through the screen.

"Then I'll make it count."

****

The next morning, I figured a grocery run might make me feel a little more human. Fresh fruit, juice, maybe even some flowers for the kitchen.

J.C. was still in his pajamas when I bribed him into getting dressed with the promise of donuts from the bakery section.

We'd barely made it two aisles in when I felt eyes on me. Not the casual oh, I recognize her kind — the sticky kind, like they were mentally drafting a group text before they'd even looked away.

One woman in the produce section smiled like she knew me. I gave a polite nod, thinking that would be the end of it... but then she stepped right in front of me, her hand coming toward my stomach.

Before I could even react, J.C.'s voice cut through the air, loud and sharp.

"Don't touch my mommy or my baby! We don't know you!"

Her hand froze midair. I swallowed down my own shock and crouched to face him, keeping my tone calm.

"Hey, it's okay, baby. I've got it."