26. Sophie

CHAPTER 26

SOPHIE

I t was eight in the morning when Noah came into the kitchen. Sophie had hoped she would miss him on her way out. Things were awkward between them. Their wedding was two weeks away and it felt like they were roommates. They had never spoken about what happened between them.

"I thought you were working today," she said.

"I took it off for the ultrasound," he told her.

"Oh. Well, you can go to work if you like."

"Are you uninviting me?"

Now that Sophie had gotten the desire of her system, she was left with annoyance. Everything Noah did lately made her angry. Or maybe she was just hurt, she couldn't tell. Sure, they had had sex before but never like that, never with so much emotion. Every time it popped into her mind, tears sprung but she pushed them down, turning her emotions into anger, annoyance. It was cruel for Noah to toy with her like that, with her feelings. By taking her to his bedroom, by gazing into her eyes, and kissing her forehead.

Perhaps that was her punishment for asking him to go astray from their agreement. It was her fault, after all; she had practically begged him to sleep with her.

Sophie sighed. "You can come if you want."

Noah didn't reply, he simply grabbed his keys off the counter and headed towards the door. His face was hard, his jaw clenched.

Why would he be upset? she thought.

"Why did you come?" Sophie asked, unable to find a reason.

Noah bristled in the driver's seat. "I promised you I would."

"Is that the only reason?"

"Should there be another one?" He paused. "Look, I already told the office the reason I'd be out today. It would look bad if they knew I ditched."

Sophie shifted, crossing her legs and staring at the window.

Well, that made more sense.

When they arrived at the doctor's office, Sophie slammed her car door a little harder than necessary. Noah tossed her a glance but didn't say anything.

She resisted the urge to cross her arms. There was no need to sulk, Sophie had asked a question and he had been honest. She couldn't fault him for that.

Entering the building, Sophie felt her anger melt away. Excitement filled her, her leg bouncing up and down in the waiting room as she waited to be called.

Noah seemed to be in better spirits as well. If it was real or for her sake, she didn't know. But she was grateful.

Thankfully, it was the same woman who was with them last time. Pam. She started off with a couple questions before asking Sophie to lay down on the table.

Sophie lifted her shirt as instructed and allowed Pam to tuck the towel into her waistband. Noah pulled up a seat to be closer to her.

Despite her earlier annoyance, she was happy he was here.

Pam squirted a glob of gel on her stomach and began to move the wand around. Soon the heartbeat sounded on the machine, and it was overwhelmingly comforting.

"Sounds nice and strong," Pam noted with a smile. "Everything looks good. Would you guys like to know the gender?"

Sophie and Noah shared a look before giving her a nod.

Yes. Sophie grabbed his hand unconsciously and squeezed.

Pam smiled, turning the screen so that they could see. "It's a boy."

A boy. Tears welled in Sophie's eyes.

She saw Noah's face light up as well, if only slightly.

"We're having a boy!" she exclaimed.

He kissed her hand in a supportive manner. "We're having a boy," he repeated joyfully.

It was just for show, Sophie reminded herself. Noah couldn't care less.

Pam pointed out some anatomical things on the monitor before wiping the gel from Sophie's belly. "All set," she told them.

Sophie set up and adjusted her top. Noah handed her her jacket and they headed back to the car.

He didn't start the car immediately, turning to face her instead. "Should we celebrate?"

"I'm actually going to my parents' house for dinner," she told him. "Would you like to come? I know my dad has been asking about you."

"Maybe another night," he replied.

"You know, you never told me how your golf date with my dad went. He sure had a lot to say about you," Sophie pointed out. She had wondered but never asked, fearful that he somehow hated her father. Even though her father had called her immediately after to gush about how much he liked Noah.

"It was good. I liked your dad," he responded.

That's it? Sophie felt sorry for her father; it had sounded like they'd enjoyed themselves. Was he just another responsibility in their arrangement?

They returned home and Sophie went to shower and change. She didn't see Noah again before she left for dinner.

Sophie made a quick call to Amy on her way over to her parents' house. She needed to confirm the appointment she had made to get their nails done for the wedding.

Their conversation quickly derailed after that and they began discussing their respective pregnancy experiences. Amy was much further along than Sophie was, due only a week or two after Sophie's wedding.

"You better stay in there until after I see Soph get married," she heard Amy tell her stomach.

Sophie laughed as she turned into her parents' driveway. "Okay, I'm just pulling in, but I'll see you next week."

Amy hung up and Sophie parked her car next to her father's truck.

Inside, her parents welcomed her with tight hugs, their familiar scents washing over her. It felt good to be home; it was a rare occurrence for her in the past few months.

The smell of her mother's homemade turkey dinner filled the house.

"You're just in time," her mother told her.

Sophie grinned; she was starving. "Lucky me."

"Sooo?" her father asked.

Their faces were filled with anticipation.

"It's a boy!" she told them.

Her parents yelled, her mother with victory and her father with defeat. It seemed they had bet each other on the baby's gender. They wrapped her in a group hug, practically sobbing with joy.

"We're so happy for you, Soph," her mom said.

Her dad scruffed her hair. "No Noah tonight?" he asked.

Sophie had prepared for this question. "He wasn't feeling well."

She was still undecided as to whether or not she wanted to tell them about her and Noah's deal. Every time it came up, she pushed it off.

The table was already set when they sat down. Sophie savored every bite of her mother's cooking.

Being at home was making her feel nostalgic. This is where she had grown up. With two parents who loved each other and who loved her.

Again, Sophie shoved down those feelings. She would find a way to provide her child with a loving home and a magical childhood. Regardless of how involved Noah was.

She left around nine, conscious that she needed to get up early for work tomorrow. With one last hug from each of her parents, she made her way back home.