I feel movement at my feet while I sleep and know that it's one of the dogs. If one of them starts moving, it alerts the other and then both of them will start yapping and nuzzling at us until we get up to let them outside to use the restroom. I feel the dog move from my feet to my side and open one eye to see Asher staring down at me, his nose an inch from my face. His floppy ears are hanging forward and hiding half his eyes. Why do they have to be so damn cute? I can't grumble or be mad at this little guy.

As soon as I open the other eye he gives me a wet good morning kiss on my nose. I scratch his head, making his ears go flying and he plops down next to me, showing me his belly. The movement of our big guy rouses Ana out of her sleep, but she just grumbles and turns, giving us the butt, and pulls the cover over her head. Looks like I'm on doggy duty today.

I rub Asher's stomach quickly and climb out of bed to let them out.

"Come on, guys! And be quiet! We don't want to wake Mommy!" I whisper to them as they race me through the hall and down the stairs. They barely get down the stairs before they start playing. They're growling and yipping at eat other, nipping and tugging at each others ears. When I open the back door, they almost knock me over and I have to hold on to the doorknob to keep from falling over. We'll have to work on that. It's important that I don't allow the dogs to knock our children over when they become toddlers.

I grin at the thought of a baby toddling around the house. Little pitter patter of bare feet against the hardwood, little squeals of delight as they play with us or the dogs. God, I can't wait. Anastasia is growing so fast. I feel like her stomach is growing each day and she has an appetite to match. I've never been so in love with her. She's glowing. She's the most incredible thing I have ever set eyes on. The day we were married, I thought there was no way that I could ever love her more than I did that moment. Then, when she announced her pregnancy, I thought the same. But now, seeing her swollen with my baby...fuck. It's incredible. She's giving me the most precious gift anyone could ever possibly give me. I know the day she goes into labor, I'm going to be such a wreck on the inside. It's going to be so hard for me to see her like that, but I can only imagine that seeing her give life to our baby...watch her bear our child...that day I'll fall even more in love with that beautiful, selfless, genuine woman. She'll be the best mother that ever was and if I end up being even half the father that she is a mother, the child will be brought up stable and safe.

I stretch in the open doorway, cracking my back and neck, while I think about her and the baby. A realization hits, stopping me right in the middle of my morning stretch. "It's baby day." I mumble. It's her sixteen week appointment. We'll get to find out the gender!

I call the dogs in quickly and hurry up the stairs to our bedroom. I jump on the bed and straddle her legs, waking her.

"IT'S BABY DAY!" I announce loudly, bouncing a little on my knees so she bounces too.

She refuses to open her eyes, but she grins. "Good morning to you, too, husband."

"Didn't you hear what I said, woman?"

She giggles and opens her eyes, rubbing the sleep out.

"Trust me, I heard you. Baby, I think that Taylor and Gail heard you from their house."

I grin at her and pull down the covers and pull her shirt up, revealing her stomach.

"Good morning, Baby Grey. We're taking pictures today so you better show us the goods. Your grandparents have flown over from Georgia just for tonight. We're going to have a big dinner to celebrate. You've got to show us what you are." Anastasia giggles and runs her fingers through my hair while I give the baby a pep talk. Suddenly, she gasps and touches her stomach.

"What? What is it? What's wrong?"

She smiles. "I think I felt the baby move. It was a weird whirling type feeling."

We've been reading her baby book and I know the baby can't hear for another couple weeks, but I can't help but feel responsible for Anastasia being able to feel our baby for the first time.

I beam and kiss her stomach. "What can I say? Our baby loves me."

She giggles. "You're right about that, Christian."

I run my palms over her belly and nuzzle my nose against her belly button. "It's crazy how in love you can be with someone you haven't met, yet."

"I know. It's an intense feeling." She places her hand on her stomach. "There it is again. Right here." I place my hand where her hand was and rest my head on her stomach. If she can feel the baby moving right here, then that means the baby is laying right under my hand. Mere inches from it.

"It's so cute to see you like this." She mentions. I smile up at her while my head rests on her bump. "Just think, baby. You almost gave this all up." She runs her fingers through my hair and my mood drops a little. My heart aches at the thought of not being able to experience this miracle.

"Thank fuck I changed my mind."

"I think it was Miss Ava who changed it."

I grin at the thought of my little lovebug. She really was the reason I decided that I wanted children. I haven't seen her in over a week and I'll finally get to see her tonight.

XxXxXx

While I'm buttoning up my shirt, I watch Ana struggle to get into her jeans. She tries to suck it in, but can't button the top.

"Baby, I think you're going to have to give up and get some maternity clothes." So far, she's been trying to fit into her looser fitting clothing, but she's gone through her bottoms and has had to stick with dresses.

She sighs, giving up. "I know. I just...I'm nervous about going with Mia and Kate. I guess because of the accident. But, I want to go and try things on and I know how you like to just order it from home and have Caroline bring it. I don't want to go by myself and I know you're so busy."

My eyebrows knit together. "Baby, if you're wanting me to go with you, I'll be more than happy to."

She looks up at me through her eyelashes. "You will?"

I nod. "Of course. We'll go tomorrow before I leave on Sunday. It'll be fun for us to shop together. Since we'll know the gender, maybe we can shop for some baby stuff, too."

The corners of her mouth lift into a grin. "That sound lovely, Christian. Thank you."

I step over to her and press my lips firmly to hers. "Now, let's find you a skirt to wear until then."

I get her dressed in a white tank top, tucked into a long, floral maxi skirt that's resting above her bump, held up by a belt. I slip her into a soft, hot pink cashmere sweater to match and button the top three buttons.

"You're good at this." She tells me, checking herself over the mirror.

I smile. "Good. Are you comfortable enough?"

She smiles and nods. "It's been two weeks since I've been able to wear something that didn't push on my belly. It's very comfortable. Thank you, husband."

I hum and wrap my arms around her while she stands at the mirror. "You're very welcome, angel. You look beautiful."

XxXxXx

"Hello, Ana. Christian." Dr. Greene shakes each of our hands when she comes into the exam room. "Before we do the ultrasound, I'd like for us to talk about your birth plan. Have you two come up with one since our last meeting?"

"We have." I answer.

Dr. Greene smiles. "Great." She has a seat on the doctor's stool and places the chart on the small, built in table. "What have you decided."

Ana and I look at one another and she gives me a small nod, indicating she wants me to tell the doctor.

"Well, Ana wanted a home birth, but with her parents history and the lack of supervision for her and the baby, I couldn't agree to that. She didn't want to spend a long time in the hospital, either. We've spoken to my mother, who is a pediatrician and ED doctor, and she's agreed to come and watch Ana while she labors. She'll check Ana every so often and once she either gets to five centimeters dilated or another issue arises, we'll come to the hospital."

Dr. Greene nods and writes in her chart. "Okay, great. Now, what if Anastasia is overdue? At what point are you wanting to be induced?"

Anastasia frowns. "I don't like the thought of being induced. I want the baby to come naturally."

"I understand that, Ana. Many prefer that. If you are worried about putting the baby under that stress, we can always to a cesarean."

She shakes her head. "No, I definitely don't like that."

"Okay, well, if the baby is more than a week past its due date, it can cause the baby and the mom harm. Not saying that it will, but the chances jump quite drastically. If you do go longer than expected, we'll just watch both of you carefully, alright? We'll jump that hurdle when and if it comes to that."

Ana smiles. "Yes, that sounds good."

"Alright, now on to the fun part. Are you two ready to see your baby?"

XxXxXx

Anastasia and I are beaming as we make it to my parent's for dinner. We've got a DVD and half a dozen pictures of our ultrasound and we know the gender. Taylor and Gail have been invited to the dinner, so Gail is riding shotgun in the SUV while Ana and I are curled up in the backseat.

"Come on, Ana...just a little hint?" Gail begs, for the fourth time since leaving the house.

"One of you is right."

"That isn't a hint!"

Anastasia giggles. "It's a little one."

Everyone is wearing their guess of what they think think the baby is going to be. Blue for boy and pink for girl. Taylor is wearing blue, while Gail is wearing pink. Gail is right about Anastasia's hint. Unless we're having a sexless baby, Anastasia's statement really wasn't a hint.

We have a unique way of announcing it and it took us weeks to come up with the idea. There is no way that Ana or I are going to ruin it.

Once we're at my parents, I open the door and head straight in with the other three. I find both sets or our parents in the sitting room, looking through a box of something.

"Sweet pea! Look how big you've gotten!" Ray is the first to notice us and he comes hurrying over to Ana. He hasn't seen her pregnant, yet, and he's ecstatic. "Look at that belly. My goodness, girl." He squeezes her to him and then rubs her stomach. "You look beautiful."

Carla has tears in her eyes, and when she hugs Ana, she lets out a sob. "Oh, Ana...you're glowing. Oh, just lovely." She cups her cheeks. "I can't believe our baby is having one of her own."

Anastasia giggles at her mother and squeezes her around the waist. "Oh, Mom."

"Are you going to tell us?" Carla asks, excited.

"Tell you what?"

Carla rolls her eyes and tuts. "About the gender, silly."

"Not til after dinner, Mom. I'm afraid you'll have to wait."

"Oh, fine." Carla pouts. "Look at what we brought, Ana. Some of your old baby clothes. Do you think you might be able to use some of this?"

I know she's looking to see if Ana will give the gender away, but Ana is too smart for that. "I don't know, Mom. We'll see."

"Alright, fine. If you aren't going to give it up, then come see the table arrangement. It's beautiful." Her mother leads her into the dining room and I follow. As soon as Anastasia sees the set up, she gets teary-eyed.

"Oh, wow. Oh, Grace...this is beautiful! Wild flowers?" The table is set up with charger plates, alternating in pink and blue sparkles, with antique white plates placed on top. She brought out the gold plated silverware and wine goblets with gold accents around the rim. There is a blue and white chevron runner down the middle of the table and flower arrangements full of blue and pink wild flowers with baby's breath added in. It's beautiful. It's Ana. My mother did a great job.

My mother nods at Ana. "I wanted to do a gender reveal theme without it being too tacky, so I went with understated. I know how much you love wildflowers."

"Oh, I do. I absolutely love it. You didn't have to go through all of this trouble, Grace!" My girl hugs my mother fiercely, making my mother laugh.

"Of course, I did. It's my grandbaby and I love throwing dinner parties like this. I enjoy decorating." Seeing Ana's tears, she tuts. "Now, now, no crying, dear." She reaches up and wipes a tear from my wife's cheek.

Anastasia sniffles and shakes her head, laughing. "I'm sorry. These pregnancy hormones have gotten the best of me." I reach into my jacket pocket and reveal a handkerchief, handing it to my girl. "Oh, thank you, Christian." She blots her eyes and blows her nose with it. "I'm a mess."

"Why don't we get you some green tea?" Green tea always calms her.

She nods. "Yes, that sounds wonderful."

"I'll go make it. You just have a seat at your spot in the middle of the table. I'll be back in a few minutes." Mom disappears into the kitchen.

I guide her to our place cards and have a seat next to her. "Oh, Christian. I'm a mess. These hormones have me crying at a drop of a hat."

I smile and squeeze her to me, kissing her temple. "It's alright, baby. You can't control it. No one is going to judge you for that. Just relax. We'll eat soon and that'll help, too."

XxXxXx

"Hello, Miss Ava. Aunt Ana missed you." We're sitting at the table, waiting for dinner to finish cooking. Elliot and Kate had just got here, but Ana grabbed the baby up before I had a chance to. So, I'm stuck sitting next to her, waiting for my turn to see my lovebug.

"Can Aunt Ana have a kiss?" She puckers her lips and Ava gives her a loud, wet smooch.

"Aw, that's no fair." I pretend to pout.

"Poor Uncle Christian. He wants a kissy. Will you give him one?" I lean over with my lips puckered, but Ava shakes her head.

"No?" I ask, pouting even more. The little stinker gives me a big grin and then holds out her arms, making grabby hands at me. "Oh, you want Uncle Christian? I knew I was your favorite." I gladly take her from my wife and she lays her head on my shoulder and pats me.

"Aaahhhwww." She says...or tries to say, like Kate does when she gives her a hug. I hold her to me and squeeze her lightly, hugging her back. She lifts her head and then gives me one of her open mouth kisses on my cheek. My stubble scratches her nose, making her wrinkle it and rub at it. She then looks at my cheek and reaches it to rub it with her chubby little hand.

"It's scratchy isn't it?"

Ava's little eyebrows knit together as she concentrates on my cheek. Elliot always keeps a close shave and my facial hair is usually longer, but I shaved yesterday for a meeting. It's pretty prickly at the moment. She continues to run her hand over it and it makes me laugh. Ava starts to giggle when she hears me and it creates a domino effect.

"Oh, my heart." Ana says, holding her chest. "You two are so incredibly cute."

I smile at Ava and she leans her forehead against mine, suddenly finding my shirt button very interesting. She's so curious now that she has a better grip on her fine motor skills.

"Button." I tell her.

She looks up at me and then back down at the button, playing with it.

"Alright, Uncle Christian. I need to get my baby in her high chair so she can eat." Kate stands up and I do the same, handing her to Kate over the table.

Once I'm settled back down, I place my hand on Ana's crossed legs and she hugs my arm.

"You are going to be the most incredible father that ever was." She whispers into my ear. It instantly makes me grin. I hope so.

We have Ana's favorite comfort food, fried chicken with vegetables and mash potatoes with white gravy, and I enjoy watching her scarf down a full breast and a wing, two helpings of potatoes, glazed carrots, and asparagus.

"Is it getting a little warm in here?" Ana asks, looking up at me.

"Here, baby, let me help take your sweater off." She unbuttons her sweater and I help slip it off her shoulders and hang it on her chair.

Now, we wait.

We've decided not to announce the baby's gender out loud, but Anastasia is wearing a t-shirt that she hid under her sweater that has our handprints in the color of the gender on her stomach, in the shape of a heart.

Anastasia sits back and places her hands in her lap, her arms cupping her bump, waiting for everyone else to finish. I do my best not to smirk as I continue to eat my chicken, but I'm failing. My brother notices my smirk almost immediately.

"What's so funny, brother of mine?"

I let out a snort. "You'll find out in a minute."

Anastasia taps her fingers impatiently on her thighs and then stretches, her arms going above her head, hoping someone will notice. Still, nothing.

"Ana...you got something on your shirt." I mention. That does it.

There is silence for a split second before the girls start squealing.

"A boy! A boy! A grandson!" Mom comes bouncing over the two of us to give us a hug, while the others all start talking at the same time. Ana's parents are beaming beside her and Ray, who is sitting on her opposite side, puts his arm around her, pulling her into his side.

"I can't wait to take the little guy fishing!"

She giggles. "Give him a couple years to get his sea legs first, Daddy."

"I can't wait to start shopping!" Carla dances in her seat and then stands to hug my mother. "We're getting a grandson!"

Grace looks ecstatic that Carla is being so affectionate and takes advantage of it, squeezing her. "We'll have to go shopping tomorrow!"

Carla agrees.

"How long will you be staying, Daddy?" Anastasia asks, looking up at her father.

"Forever."

Her smile falls and she looks astonished. "Forever? Like...really? You're moving back?"

He nods and Anastasia gives out her own squeal of excitement before wrapping her arms around his neck. "Oh, Daddy! Oh, I'm so excited! I'm so happy!" The water works start again, and Ray pats her back and chuckles.

"We just couldn't bear the thought of being away from our girl when she's trying to raise our grandbaby. We want to be here for you and Christian and our grandson."

"Oh, Daddy. This is just so perfect." She releases him and stands to hug her mother.

"I'm so glad you're excited, Ana. Grace and Carrick are letting us stay here until we buy a house. It shouldn't take too long. We've put in an offer for a two bedroom already. It's fifteen minutes from your house." Carla states, hugging Ana close.

"They are?" Ana lets go of her mother and hugs my mom again, thanking her, before she makes my father stand from his seat for a proper hug, which makes him laugh.

"You are all so wonderful."

Dad chuckles. "Anything for my daughter-in-law and grandson." He looks down at her stomach. "May I?"

She smiles. "Of course."

He places both hands on her bump. "What's his name?"

"We don't know, yet. We've decided that he'll have Christian's initials... C.T.G...but we haven't decided on his first name, yet."

"Carrick is a great name." Dad winks.

"No, Dad." I tell him while Anastasia giggles.

"And why not?"

"I don't want any confusion and I definitely don't want you calling him Junior."

"Such a buzz kill."

"So, you know what his middle name will be?" Mom asks.

"Yes, but we're not saying, yet." I tell her.

"Oh, fine. Your father is right. Buzz kill."

"Stop hogging Ana! It's my turn!" Mia tells Dad, waiting for a hug. Mia, Kate, and Ana talk loudly and animatedly about the baby for a couple minutes until my mother quiets them down, reminding the girls that dinner is getting cold and that we haven't had dessert, yet. At the mention of dessert, Ana immediately takes her place next to me. I pull her chair close to mine and she relaxes in the crook of my arm.

"I hope he looks just like you." She whispers up at me, smiling. "So handsome." Her eyes search my face and then her lips find mine. I know that I'm good looking, but how can I tell her that sometimes, this face is a curse. Many times, people find it hard to look passed my looks. Many women want to throw themselves at me and embarrass themselves just because of my pretty face. Men are often intimidated by me when they look at me, often causing me to take their companies by force because they're too intimidated by my looks to work with me. On the contrary, it has gotten me out of some tight spots in my life. It has also gotten me some of the most beautiful women in the country. None of them have compared to my wife, of course, but I know that from the very beginning, she saw more than just a pretty face. She saw me. The only woman that has ever been able to see the real me. Even my mother had no idea.

"I hope he has your eyes, baby." Those beautiful blue eyes of hers are to die for. She smiles up at me, showing me her dimples. "Those, too." I run my index finger over her dimple. "They're perfect."

Alright guys, it's out. They're having a boy. Now, I want to know your ideas for baby names. What are some boy names that start with 'C' that you like?