Doc smiles. “As long as she’s twelve weeks or more, we should be able to tell. Provided Mom wants to know, of course.”

“Yes,” Sammi answers while simultaneously nodding her head. “We’d love to know.”

“I’m gonna squirt some jelly onto your stomach. It’s been in the warmer, so shouldn’t be too bad.”

“Pshh,” I snort. “She’s no stranger to having sticky stuff on her belly.”

“Lyle!” Sammi’s eyes widen to the size of saucers while the doctor goes about her business, trying not to laugh as she squirts a blob of goop onto her tummy and starts swirling a wand around in it.

“It’s true.” I shrug, turning back toward the screen to avoid her scathing glare.

“Holy shit!” I say when a little skeletal baby appears on the TV screen. “Li’l Bit…” I give her hand that’s still clutched firmly in my own a shake. “Do you see that?”

“Yes,” she laughs with tears brimming in her baby blues. “I see.”

“I’d say you’re already into the second trimester,” Dr. Ruby volunteers. “But let’s take some measurements to be certain.”

“What’s that mean?” I ask, looking between the two women. “What’s a second trimester?”

“Pregnancy is broken into three stages,” Dr. Ruby says while zooming in on various parts of the baby and taking her measurements, “The first trimester is up to thirteen weeks. The second trimester is fourteen to twenty-seven, and the third is twenty-eight to forty.”

“So, what you’re telling me is we’re gonna be able to see his junk.”

Sammi gasps while the doctor goes on like it’s just another day at the office. “We’re going to try. He or she wasn’t cooperating just now. I’ll make another attempt at it after I finish.”

“Will you behave?” my wife chides, glowering at me from the table.

I pretend to mull it over for a moment. “Not likely.”

Our stare off is interrupted by Dr. Ruby. “Here’s your baby’s heartbeat.” A rhythmic whooshing sound fills the room. “Nice and strong at 153 beats per minute.”

My heart triples in size, and my throat grows thick with emotion. It’s without doubt the most surreal experience of my life, staring into my wife’s tear-filled eyes while our baby’s heartbeat echoes around us.

In this instant shit becomes real. It’s the singular moment that transforms our relationship from that of a newly married couple to a family. At least it is for me. Maybe it’s different for Sammi being that she’s the one carrying him. But seeing him. Hearing him. It’s just split my heart wide open.

“That’s the most beautiful sound I’ve ever heard.”

“I can email you the clip so you can listen over and over again,” Dr. Ruby offers, seemingly touched by my wonderment.

“I’d love that,” I say, meaning it.