Winning Back His Ex's Wife's Broken Heart by Hayley

Sarah pov.

The morning of our ultrasound appointment was buzzing with a mix of nerves and excitement. I woke up before the alarm, staring at the ceiling as the baby flutters danced faintly in my belly. Was today the day we'd learn more about who this little person was going to be?

Richard stirred beside me, groaning softly as he flung an arm over his face. "Do we have to wake up this early for a jelly-belly appointment?" he muttered groggily, and I chuckled, nudging him with my elbow. "It's not that early," I teased. "And don't call it a jelly-belly appointment. You make it sound like dessert."

He cracked one eye open and grinned. "Fine. Let's go meet the little jellybean, then."

At the clinic, the waiting room was bustling with expectant mothers and their partners. Some were chatting excitedly, while others sat quietly, hands resting on their bumps like they were protecting the world's greatest secret. I couldn't help but feel a rush of solidarity-we were all in this together, even if we didn't know each other.

When our name was called, Richard stood and offered me his hand with a dramatic flourish, making the receptionist smile. "Your chariot awaits, my lady," he said in an exaggerated posh accent. "Stop it," I whispered, biting back a laugh.

Inside the dimly lit ultrasound room, the technician greeted us warmly. I lay back on the table, trying to get comfortable despite the butterflies in my stomach.

Richard sat beside me, his hand clasping mine as if to say, I've got you.

The cool gel spread across my belly, and I winced slightly. "They really need to warm this stuff up," I joked.

"Yeah, and maybe make it smell like chocolate," Richard added, earning a laugh from the technician.

As the screen flickered to life, we both fell silent. The tiny, grainy image of our baby appeared, and I felt an overwhelming surge of love.

There they were, wriggling and waving as if they knew we were watching.

"There's your baby," the technician said with a smile, moving the wand gently. "Strong heartbeat, good movement-everything looks great."

Richard leaned closer, his eyes glued to the screen. "Look at that! Is that a little foot?"

"Yes," the technician confirmed. "A very active little one."

I couldn't tear my eyes away either. This was our baby, the person we were already rearranging our lives for.

I squeezed Richard's hand, feeling tears prick at the corners of my eyes.

"Now," the technician continued, "do you want to know the baby's gender today?"

Richard and I exchanged a look. We'd discussed this before but hadn't reached a final decision. I could see the curiosity flickering in his eyes, and honestly, I felt the same. But there was something about waiting, about savoring the moment a little longer.

"Can you write it down instead?" I asked. "We'll open it later."

"Of course," she said, grabbing an envelope. She scribbled something on a small piece of paper, folded it neatly, and sealed it inside. "Here you go. Whenever you're ready." Richard took the envelope as if it contained a treasure map, tucking it carefully into his pocket. "We'll save this for a rainy day," he said with a wink.

Back at home, I couldn't stop thinking about the envelope. It sat on the kitchen counter, taunting me like a wrapped gift on Christmas morning.

girl?" I asked Richard as we stood

holding a jar of pickles in one hand. "I

course not," I said quickly. "But I'm just... curious. You know, imagining whether we'll be buying tiny dresses or tiny bow

"You're already planning

"You're more interested

too!" he argued, feigning offense.

the day melting away. The envelope could wait a little longer. For

work in

or blues soon? Or maybe sticking with

over the crib we'd assembled together a few weeks ago, remembering the arguments over the instructions and the triumphant high-five when we

doorframe with a small smile. "Penny for

softly. "Rocking them to sleep,

wrapped an arm around my shoulders. "It's going to be amazing," he said

you

he said without hesitation. "We're already a team, and that's half

right. We might not have all

***

spilling golden streaks across the bedroom floor. I woke up feeling giddy, like a

having a boy or a girl. The anticipation was bubbling inside me, and I couldn't help but grin as I turned to Richard, who was still asleep, his

his head. "Cake can wait.

I insisted, tugging the blanket away. "The baker needs the paper, and

sticking out in every direction.

little place we'd discovered a

counter greeted us warmly, her smile widening

gender reveal cake?" she confirmed, glancing at the sealed envelope

I said, feeling a twinge of excitement. "We want the inside to be pink or blue, depending on what's in that envelope. The outside can just be plain white with some

counter, pretending to examine the pastries on display. "Can you make it taste like

chuckled. "Of course. Chocolate

a mix of nerves and anticipation. The envelope was no longer in our possession, and the next time we saw it-or rather, tasted it-it would reveal the answer we'd been

door for me. "But I am hungry. Can we eat the cake

said firmly, laughing. "We're doing this properly, after

with an exaggerated sigh. "But if I starve before then, it's on

dragged on, and I found myself checking the clock more often than usual. I busied myself with little tasks-folding laundry, organizing baby clothes, and even dusting the living room shelves. But no matter what I did, my mind kept drifting back to the cake. Was it pink? Was it

in the garage, which I suspected

finally came inside, he was covered

even fix?" I

admitted, grinning. "I just