"And... there," Dr. G. focused in on the sound as we all looked at the screen to see a tiny form with the heart beating fast. "Don't worry it's normal for their heart rates to be this high when they're this small."

Hayden squeezed my shoulder as we stared at the little peanut on the screen. I could tell we were both moved to tears while Dr. G. moved the device around on my belly to look at it. "The baby is doing well so far, would you like for me to print you some pictures?"

"Yes," we both answered simultaneously as she smiled and wiped off the gel from my skin before going to collect the photos.

"Our baby, Hayden," I was at a loss for words as he pressed his forehead to mine.

"Is beautiful Dasha. They're simply beautiful." His fingers wiped the tears falling as I smiled and kissed him quickly. I had always dreamed about this moment, seeing my future child on the screen and knowing it was with Hayden made it even more surreal.

"Your next ultrasound will be in seven weeks when we can determine the gender." Dr. G. handed us the two copies she made of the baby. "But we'll schedule you in before then to do some blood work and such. This is your first child correct?"

We both nodded as Hayden took the photos and put them in his wallet.

"Congratulations to you both, I'll be looking forward to seeing more of you in the future." She nodded before letting us head out to schedule another appointment.

"Do you think we can do the next one before the wedding?" I murmured to him as he checked his phone for dates.

"Possibly yes, I just don't know what time because of teaching. But we should definitely do it before the wedding."

I could hardly believe that we would be married within the next few weeks and know the gender of our child. If someone had told me this would be what was waiting for me when I graduated college I would've laughed.

When we got back in the car, Hayden held one of my hands while driving home. "I started thinking of some names today at work... but I know we don't know the gender yet."

My heart fluttered at knowing we were one step closer to finding out and squeezed his hand. "What names did you think of my love?"

"Well, if it's a girl, I kinda liked Kinsley, Olivia, or Tristen. I know the last one is a bit tom-boyish, but I still thought it had a ring to it."

"Those are beautiful."

"Boys, I was thinking, Aiden or Sam."

"What about Ryder?" I said as the name popped into my head.

Hayden smiled and rubbed my belly gently. "I love Ryder. Assuming Squirt is a he and not a she."

"Ryder Blaze," I rubbed my stomach and smiled, "It's perfect, but we still have time to decide. I'm sure once we find out the gender too, Rose and Sean could help us with the baby's room if we get in over our heads with everything else going on."

"We'll be able to do that after the wedding for sure sweetheart. Don't forget we still have to tell our parents and the rest of the world."

"It'll be obvious by then too. I'll be what, nearly ten weeks by then? And once the wedding rolls around, nearly fourteen or fifteen? If I'm not already showing now it'll be obvious when we go home for break."

"And that's in two weeks, remember? It's already November."

Shit, time was flying faster than I was anticipating. "Thankfully everything for the wedding is done now and people just have to show up."

"This is true," Hayden continued to rub my belly as he drove.

"How do you think Jasper and Bandit will react to having a baby around the house?"

"Considering it'll be their size in the beginning, I know they'll love Squirt." Hayden reassured me as we walked back into our apartment. "I'll take them out real quick since we're home a little bit later than usual."

"Sounds good baby," I went to change into shorts and one of Hayden's t-shirts since it was bigger and wouldn't be so tight on my belly. Not that my clothes were super constrictive yet, but they weren't comfortable like they used to be.

I stopped in my tracks when I saw what looked to be writing on the wall behind our bed. What the hell?

You didn't listen, now you'll pay. As will the child.

"What," I felt tears begin to fall as I stayed completely still, unaware of anything around me. "Why! Why must you try to ruin my life!" I screamed and jumped when I heard Hayden calling my name and dashing into the room.

"Dasha," he stopped when he saw the writing and slowly walked towards the bed. "Dasha, have you looked around the room?"

"No." I whispered as he sat me down on the end of the bed and made a signal for me to stay quiet as he grabbed his gun from under our mattress.

"Text Rosemary and have them contact the police, now. It's not safe here anymore."

I felt my fingers shaking as I tried to text Rose while keeping an eye on Hayden looking around our apartment slowly.

Ten minutes later, the police were doing a thorough check of our apartment and Rose was trying to get me to drink some hot chocolate. We were sitting out on the steps of the front door and I was shaking as Hayden talked to the police and Sean was sitting on the other side of me.

"Dasha, we'll get to the bottom of this."

"He... got into our apartment. He... he knows about the baby." I hid my face into Sean's shoulder as he rubbed my back.

"We won't let him get away with this. Take some deep breaths for me Dash, we can't have you stressed out right now."

"He's going to ruin everything, just like Missy tried to do."

I felt Hayden come over and bend down to pull me into him as I shook hard. "Hayden he's,"

"Shh baby." He kissed my forehead and held me tight. "He's not going to do anything else to us okay? I'll make sure of it. You'll be safe and so will Squirt."

Rose cleared her throat as we both looked up at her. "Tyson called a few moments ago when you guys were talking to the police. He's got a relative who's either a PI or something along those lines who would be willing to help catch Patrick, along with anyone else who's involved."

"Great, I'll call him tonight and get the information from him." Hayden kept his hands protectively around my stomach as I swallowed the fear that was continuing to rise within me. I needed to stay calm but it wasn't proving to be easy.

"Stay with us tonight," Sean offered and Rose nodded. "We have that spare bedroom for a reason. And there's plenty of room for the dogs too."

"I'll go pack the bags if you grab the dog's food and stuff?" Hayden murmured quietly to me.

"What would I do without you guys," I thanked Rose and Sean before going back into the apartment to pack for at least one night.

**First let me say a huge THANK YOU to everyone for letting the first book hit 1 MILLION reads! I love you guys so much! This book is nearly at 100K reads and that alone makes me happy. There's still... I think 10 chapters max in this story as I try to plan out the next couple of scenes that have been in my head for so long. I'm hoping to get at least two more chapters in before school, the rest will have to possibly wait until Mid-December once I graduate from nursing school so bear with me.

Surprised about Patrick? Crazy right? Depending upon how this goes will help set up the third book, and I kinda am liking where it's going! Titles for the third book are open to suggestion and did you like the names I have for Squirt? Completely picked from the comments so it's fair game.**