Mara's first instinct was to refuse. But after a brief pause, she gave a small nod.
Gently, Ethan placed his hand over her still-flat stomach, his touch warm and cautious. His eyes widened, and a slow grin spread across his face.
"I swear I felt something," he said, his voice filled with wonder.
Mara let out a soft laugh. "That's impossible," she teased. "It's too early for the baby to be kicking."
Ethan shook his head, completely undeterred. "No, I know what I felt." He crouched down slightly, bringing his face closer to her belly.
"Hey there, champ," he murmured. "This is Daddy, and I can't wait to meet you."
Mara's heart clenched at the tenderness in his voice.
Then he added with a smirk, "I think I'll call you Ethan Junior."
Mara rolled her eyes playfully. "And what if it's a girl?"
"Then I'll call her Princess."
Mara chuckled. "I was thinking Stef. Keeping up with the Shepherd family tradition, you know? All names start with 'S.'"
