From Substitute To Queen Chapter 192

At that exact moment, the baby kicked. Actually kicked, strong enough that we could all see my shirt move.

Daisy shrieked with delight. "She heard me! She answered!"

The joy on her face was infectious. Even Caelan looked stunned, like he couldn't quite believe what he'd just witnessed.

"She knows your voice already," I said softly.

"Did you hear that, baby?" Daisy pressed her face close to my belly. "We're going to be best friends!"

***

*Two months later...*

"Good morning, my little princess." Caelan's voice was soft against my much rounder belly. At **four months pregnant**, I definitely looked the part now. "Are you being good for Mommy today?"

"She's been tap-dancing since 5 AM," I groaned, trying to find a comfortable position in bed.

"Really?" His eyes lit up with that same wonder he'd shown at every single milestone. "Let me listen."

The moment he pressed his ear to my stomach, the baby delivered a solid kick right to his cheek.

"Did you feel that?!" He shot up like he'd been electrocuted. "She kicked me! Actually kicked me!" His voice rose with excitement. "Baby! It's Daddy! You know it's Daddy, don't you? I love you too, sweetheart!"

"Caelan, indoor voice," I laughed, but my heart was full watching him.

"I need to document this." He scrambled for his phone. "First intentional kick directed at Dad, 7:23 AM."

The man had been keeping a pregnancy journal more detailed than most medical records.

"The appointment is in two hours," I reminded him as we got ready.

"Seatbelt comfortable?" he asked for the third time as we drove to the hospital.

"Yes, Caelan."

"Not too tight across your belly?"

"It's fine."

"If anything feels wrong—"

"I'll tell you," I finished, squeezing his hand. "You're more nervous than I am."

"I just want everything to be perfect."

***

The waiting room at the doctor's office was familiar territory by now. Caelan sat beside me, leg bouncing with nervous energy despite his attempts to look calm.

"Your Majesty," the nurse smiled at us, "you can relax. Your wife is in excellent health."

"I'm not nervous," Caelan lied, then immediately checked his watch for the fourth time in five minutes.

"Deep breaths," I murmured, rubbing his arm. "Like we practiced in yoga class."

"Queen Sable?" The technician called my name.

"Here we go," I said, standing carefully.

"Look at that heartbeat," the doctor said, moving the ultrasound wand over my gel-covered belly. "Strong and steady."

Caelan's grip on my hand tightened as we watched the screen, mesmerized by the clear image of our daughter.

"Is that...?" His voice caught.

"Her arm," the doctor confirmed with a smile. "She's waving."

That did it. Caelan's eyes filled with tears as he stared at the monitor, watching our little girl move around like she was performing just for us.

"She's perfect," he whispered.

"All measurements look excellent," the doctor continued, taking several pictures. "She's right on track for development."

The doctor printed out several copies of the ultrasound photos, handing them to Caelan like precious artifacts.

"Her nose looks like yours," he said immediately, studying the grainy black and white image.

"You can't possibly tell that from this picture."

"I can. And look at her hands – long fingers. She's going to be artistic."

"Maybe she'll be a doctor like me."

"Or a leader like her dad." His thumb traced over the photo gently. "Whatever she wants to be, we'll support her."

As we left the medical building, I was feeling that familiar contentment that came after good appointments. Everything was healthy, normal, perfect.

"Your Majesty, wait!" The doctor called after us.

Instantly, Caelan tensed, his arm coming around me protectively. "Is something wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong!" The doctor hurried over, slightly out of breath. "One of your test results isn't ready yet – the detailed genetic screening we ran last week. Could you come back inside for a moment? It should be printing now."

"Jesus," Caelan breathed, relief flooding his features. "I thought—"

"Sorry to worry you. Just need you to pick up that report."

"I'll be right out," Caelan told me, pressing a quick kiss to my temple. "Wait for me by those benches?"

"Sure." I made my way to the stone steps outside the medical center, settling down with one hand on my belly.

The afternoon sun was warm on my face, and for a moment, everything felt absolutely peaceful. I closed my eyes, letting myself just breathe.

"Hey there, little one," I murmured to my bump. "Did you hear everything Daddy said in there? He loves you so much already."

A gentle breeze stirred my hair, and I smiled, feeling completely content. In a few minutes, Caelan would come out, probably with seventeen new questions for next month's appointment. We'd drive home, where he'd immediately add today's ultrasound picture to the growing collection on his desk.

*This is happiness,* I thought, watching other couples come and go from the medical building. *This quiet, simple, overwhelming happiness.*

The baby moved under my hand, a soft flutter that made me laugh.

"I can't wait to meet you either, sweetheart."

***

**Darrell's POV**

I shifted in the uncomfortable waiting room chair, watching Camila disappear behind the frosted glass doors of the fertility clinic.

We got here specifically because Blackwood's fertility department had the best reputation in the region. After four months of marriage with no results, our family doctor had recommended comprehensive testing at a specialized facility.

"Don't worry, we'll have kids," I told her as she hesitated at the entrance. The doctors here are supposed to be the best."

She turned back with a vulnerable look in her eyes. "Darrell, do you really want children? With me?"

*Christ. Why does she always ask the hard questions?*

"Of course I do." I avoided her gaze, focusing on some medical pamphlet scattered on the coffee table. "You should go in. I'll wait out here."

Truth was, I needed a cigarette more than I needed to hold her hand through another doctor's appointment. The anxiety was eating me alive, and nicotine was the only thing that helped anymore.

*She wants kids,* I thought as she finally went through the doors. *But me... I don't even know what I want anymore.*

The news had been everywhere lately. Lycan King expecting his first heir. Photos of Sable glowing with pregnancy, Caelan's protective hand always somewhere on her body. They looked so fucking happy it made my teeth ache.

I rubbed my face hard, trying to shake off the thoughts. *I married to a perfectly good woman who loves me.*

My phone felt heavy in my pocket. That email had been sitting there for four months now. Four months of me staring at those accusations, wondering if I should say something. Every time I saw another news article about their happiness, my finger hovered over her contact information.

*But look at her. Look how happy she is. How can I destroy that?*

*How can I not? If it's true...*