Holiday Second Chance Romance (Clarice and Trevor) novel Chapter 23

23 Not So Grumpy

Clarice POV

Nick practically lifts me out of his truck like I weigh nothing when we arrive at Dr. Henry’s office. It’s so weird how right it feels when Nick has his hands on me. He’s been kissing me like it is the most natural thing in the world. I expected to feel guilty despite what Trevor did, but I don’t. It feels right being with Nick. The entire drive to the appointment, he either had my hand in his or his hand on my thigh. His excitement about my appointment during the drive was almost palpable.

I swear if I didn’t know this baby wasn’t his biologically I would think it was. He is truly as excited as I am about the prospect of seeing the baby today. He threads his fingers with mine and leads me inside the large brick building. Nick holds the door, allowing me to step inside. A younger woman I’ve never met smiles when she notices me. “Can I help you,” she asks.

“My name is Clarice Banister. I have an appointment with Dr. Henry.” She looks at her computer

before she looks back up at me. “The doctor will be with you soon if you and your husband would

like to have a seat,” she says. I don’t correct her and neither does Nick. He places his hand on the small of my back and leads me to a set of burgundy chairs. We both take our seats, and he takes my hand in his. He leans close and presses a kiss on my temple. “How are you feeling,” he asks.

“I’m feeling great and excited. I’m not sure what to expect, but the fact that we might get to hear the baby’s heartbeat depending on how far along I am is amazing.” My hands move to my still flat belly and I smile. Nick opens his mouth, but before he can say anything, an older woman calls out my name. I stand first and offer him my hand. Was he unsure if I wanted him to come inside with me? A huge smile spreads across his face as he places his hand in mine.

We follow the older woman to a small exam room. She hands me a paper gown and a sheet before. she leaves the room, closing the door behind her. I turn to Nick and he looks nervous. “I can step into the hallway while you change if you want,” he says, stepping toward the door. “Nick, did you think I didn’t want you in the room with me?” His cheeks pink and I take a step closer to him. “Nick , I want you here. I want to experience this with you. If I’m your one, then you’re my one, Nick. You want us to pledge, which I know you’ll explain later, but I’m guessing it’s a forever arrangement. This baby is yours as much as it’s mine.”

He cups my cheeks and presses a soft kiss on my lips. When he breaks the kiss he presses his forehead against mine. “Thank you, Clarice. You will never be sorry for trusting me with your heart,” he says. “Now only because I don’t want the first time you see me naked to be in this little room please turn around while I change.” He chuckles but does what I ask. I quickly change before getting up on the table. “Alright, you can turn around.” He does just as the nurse comes in to draw my blood. It doesn’t take long for an older man in a white lab coat to step into the room.

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<23 Not So Gempy

“Clarice, I’m Dr. Henry,” he says, offering me his hand to shake. “This must be your husband,” he says, reaching out to shake his hand. “Nick,” he says without correcting him. “Well, congratulations to you both, you’re pregnant. Can you tell me when you had your last period, Clarice,” he asks. I expect Nick to be uncomfortable, but he doesn’t flinch at the question. He continues to rub circles

on the back of my hand.

“Honestly, I can’t be sure. I haven’t been regular since I stopped my birth control.” “That’s alright. So I’m going to assume, based on the fact you stopped your birth control, the two of you were trying for this baby,” he asks, looking between me and Nick. Nick goes to open his mouth, but I cut him off. “For about six months.” “Alright, since we can’t use your cycle, we will do an ultrasound today. It will tell us how far along you are, and we should be able to get a good look at the baby,” he

says.

He steps out, but he isn’t gone long. He steps back into the room with an ultrasound machine. Nick stands by the side of the table with my hand in his while the doctor gets ready. Dr. Henry lifts my shirt and applies a cold blue jelly. After a few seconds, the sound of a strong heartbeat fills the room. Tears flow down my cheeks. That’s my baby’s heartbeat.

When I look up at Nick I can see tears forming in the corners of his eyes. If I wasn’t already falling for this man, seeing him cry after hearing my child’s heartbeat would definitely have done it. The doctor turns the screen and points to what looks like a little jelly bean. “Based on the size and growth, I put you at ten weeks. Everything looks good. I’ll need you to make an appointment to see me in a month. I’ll give you a prescription for prenatal vitamins. Do either of you have any questions,” he asks. I shake my head and look at Nick. He does the same. “I’ll print off a few pictures. Congratulations again,” he says before he leaves the room.

“That was amazing,” he blurts out, and I giggle, “It was pretty amazing. I’m sorry you had to act,” I start to say, but he cuts me off. “There was no acting. I may not have the connection of biology to the baby growing in your belly, but I will be connected to her or him in every other way. I will love them because they are apart of you, Clarice,” he says.

“I know you need time, but I promise you the minute you’re ready we will be pledged to each other. exactly what that means,” he says before he dips his Now let’s go get some lunch so I can expla head and kisses me again. God, this man can kiss.

Nick POV

“Nick, you haven’t stopped smiling since we left the office,” Clarice says as we pull into the parking space at Carly’s. She is right, I haven’t. Between hearing her say I’m her one and seeing the little jelly bean, I couldn’t stop smiling if I tried. “I’m really happy, Clarice.” “You better be careful, Nick, or they won’t be able to call you grumpy anymore,” she says, teasing me. I love how comfortable she is becoming with me.

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23 Not So Grumpy

Claim

I tug her hair before I get out and round the truck. She starts to open the door and I practically growl. I lift her out and set her on her feet. “I don’t care how old–fashioned it sounds, you wait for me to open your door. Don’t forget I’m an old man who grew up when gentlemen opened doors for ladies.” She giggles and I press a quick kiss on her lips. I take her hand and lead her inside. Carly’s. When we step inside, I don’t see Carly, but a young girl offers to seat us.

I’m glad when she starts to lead us toward the booth we had the other day so we can really talk without prying ears. Clarice starts to follow the girl but stops dead in her tracks after only a few feet. “Clarice, what’s wrong,” I ask, just as I see who is sitting in the booth directly in front of us. Her father and an older version of Clarice are staring at my girl with a mix of sadness and regret in

their eyes.

Before I can say a word, Clarice turns and buries her head in my chest. Her shoulders shake and my chest aches. I have no idea why she is crying, but I know she needs a minute.

Without asking, I lift her into my arms, and she wraps herself around me. I glare at the people looking at us wide–eyed as I make my way back out of the diner. Carly gives me a look of sympathy as she pushes open the door for me. When we reach the truck, I slide into the passenger side keeping her on my lap. After a few minutes, she lifts her head and stares into my eyes. I’m not sure what I expected, but her moving to straddle me and starting to kiss me like we aren’t sitting in a very public place, isn’t it.

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