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.

or a girl?" I asked Richard as we stood in the kitchen, unpacking

a jar of pickles in one hand. "I don't know. Does it

I'm just... curious. You know, imagining whether we'll be buying

smirked. "You're already planning their

someone has to," I shot back playfully. "You're more interested in whether they'll prefer Star Wars or

too!" he argued, feigning offense. "We

tension from the day melting away. The envelope could wait a little longer. For now, it was enough to know our

that evening, I found myself in the nursery. It was still a work in progress,

adding more pinks or blues soon? Or maybe sticking with

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

against the doorframe with a small smile. "Penny for

imagining what it'll be like," I said softly. "Rocking them to

to be amazing," he said firmly. "And chaotic. And probably messy. But mostly

chest. "Do you think we'll be good

without hesitation. "We're already a team,

renewed sense of confidence. He was right. We might not have all the

***

through the curtains, spilling golden streaks across the bedroom floor. I woke

help but grin as

over his head. "Cake can wait. Sleep

blanket away. "The baker

Richard sat up, his hair sticking out in every direction. "Fine,

to the bakery. It was a charming little place we'd discovered a few months ago, with pastel-colored walls and the most divine smell of freshly

woman at the counter greeted us warmly, her

cake?" she confirmed, glancing at the sealed envelope I handed

or blue, depending on what's

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

baker chuckled. "Of course. Chocolate it

time we saw it-or rather, tasted it-it would reveal the answer we'd

"But

said firmly, laughing. "We're doing this properly, after dinner, with pictures and

he said 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

garage, which I suspected was

inside, he was covered in grease and holding a small

you even fix?"

grinning. "I just