Dean sat in front of the camera, actually happy to be there for once. He wore a goofy grin on his face and actually sat up straight for the shot. "You're comin to the doctor's office today! We're nearing the end here and it seems like Nikki has a doctor appointment every other day to make sure everything is on track and with work, I can't go to all of them, but today we're all goin! Let's go!" He practically jumped up from his seat and walked off camera.
…
The camera followed the couple as they walked into the doctor's office and into an examining room. A moment later and Nikki was laying on the examining table, her protruding belly exposed. Dean sat nearby, twitching with excitement at seeing the baby on the little monitor in front of him. It was a completely different view of Nikki that her fans were used to seeing. Instead of a bikini toned body, she had swollen ankles and a very pregnant belly, but she wore that smile everyone loved.
…
"Dean was only able to come to a few appointments and the last time he saw the sonogram in person was a long time ago," Nikki told the camera, a smile on her face. "So he's excited for this visit. I'm not sure if I'm more excited to see the baby or to see his reaction."
…
Nikki's doctor came into the room and Dean straightened up in his seat, his attention on the doctor. "Hey, Nikki!" he greeted warmly before extending a hand for Dean to shake. "And Daddy Dean was able to make it today, that's great. Let's not waste any time, shall we?"
Both Nikki and Dean shook her heads as Dean settled back in and reached for her hand. He laced their fingers together as the doctor applied the cold jelly to Nikki's stomach and put the sonogram wand to work. Within seconds, the sound of the baby's heartbeat filled the room and an audible gasp was heard from both Dean and Nikki. An image appeared on the screen and the doctor started to point out body parts. Dean inched closer to Nikki as the doctor droned on about printing pictures and went about the rest of the appointment. "No, wait!" Dean bellowed and nearly leap out of his seat when the image and sound suddenly stopped, the doctor thinking he was done. "Just like a little more. Please." He wiped his cheek with his free hand as a stray and rare emotional tear dropped from his eye. He hoped the camera hadn't caught that. The doctor obliged and the couple, and the cameras, shared a few moments more of the beauty and amazement that was their baby girl.
…
Dean looked straight into the camera. "It changes you. Once you're able to really accept the responsibility, it gets in your brain and you know you gotta change. You can't be the same loner asshole you thought you'd always be. And then that sound fills the room and gets in your ears and you see that image on the screen and it just like suddenly hits ya. This is all real and it's happening and fast. And while I was sitting there with Nikki and we were looking at that picture and hearing that heartbeat together, I knew. I knew I'd changed. And I think I'm ready now. Still scared as shit, but pretty ready." He gave a nod of his head as he appeared to get a bit lost in his own thoughts. "I'm gonna be a damn good dad."