<h4>Chapter 287: Top Secret</h4>


    Cammyughed lightly, wiping a stray tear. "Everything’s fine. It’s just... today’s the big day. We’re going to find out the baby’s gender. Greg’s been so excited. He wants to start decorating the nursery and buying baby clothes the second he knows."


    Ric smiled through the sadness still glimmering in his eyes. "Ah... I see. That’s a beautiful moment. Go on, Cammy. Don’t let me hold you up."


    She stood up slowly, bncing herself before giving him onest grateful look. "Thank you, Ric. For everything. Really."


    Ric nodded. "You’ll be a great mom. Again. And I’m just d... that after all the storms, you’re finally seeing sunshine."


    As Cammy walked away with Andrea, Ric remained standing, watching her go. His heart ached, but it was no longer from regret—it was from release. He had loved her, lost her, and somehow, still found peace in letting her go.


    As Andrea helped steady Cammy on her feet, Greg approached them, pushing a wheelchair with a proud, almost giddy smile.


    "Your royal chariot, my Queen," he said with a dramatic bow.


    Cammy rolled her eyes affectionately. "You do realize I can still walk, right?"


    "Yes," Greg grinned, "but I also know the doctor said not more than thirty minutes of standing, and I don’t want to take any chances. Besides, it gives me an excuse to spoil you."


    Cammyughed softly, touched by his thoughtfulness. "Fine, you win." She eased into the wheelchair and adjusted her hospital gown as Greg took the handles.


    "We’reing too," Ellie announced as she and Eve appeared beside them, matching grins on their faces.


    "I wouldn’t miss this for the world," Eve added, slipping her arm through Ellie’s.


    "Okay, but don’t faint if it’s twins again," Cammy teased, causing all three women to break intoughter.


    As the group made their way down the hallway toward the ultrasound room, Grace, Harry, and Ethan waved them off, choosing to return to Cammy’s room to give them some privacy.


    The ultrasound technician, a kind woman named Dr. Selina, weed them into the room. Greg carefully helped Cammy onto the examination table, his eyes full of anticipation, hands slightly trembling with excitement.


    "You ready?" the doctor asked gently as she prepped the ultrasound gel.


    Greg gave an eager nod and clutched Cammy’s hand. "Let’s do this. I’ve been counting the days—literally."


    But before Dr. Selina could press the probe onto Cammy’s stomach, Ellie suddenly stepped forward, raising a hand like a traffic officer.


    "Wait! Stop right there!" she said, her eyes shing with excitement.


    Dr. Selina paused, startled. "Is something wrong?"


    Eve joined in, her voiceced with mock seriousness. "We’ve made an executive decision."


    Cammy blinked. "What decision?"


    "You two," Ellie said, pointing at Cammy and Greg, "are not going to find out the gender today."


    Greg’s face dropped. "Wait... what?"


    "We’re going to throw a gender reveal party when Dn gets back," Eve exined, practically bouncing in ce. "All of us together. Balloons, cake, maybe some fireworks."


    "Are you serious?" Greg asked, almost horrified. "That’s a month from now!"


    "Yes," Ellie said firmly. "And it’ll be worth the wait. It’ll be special. Dn should be there. He’s going to be a big brother, after all."


    Cammy chuckled, amused by the chaos and secretly loving the idea. "That actually sounds sweet."


    "Sweet?" Greg nearly groaned. "It’s torture! I’ve had the baby’s room catalog saved on my tablet for weeks. I can’t n anything without knowing!"


    "Oh boo hoo," Ellie teased, poking his arm. "You’re a billionaire. Buy both color schemes if you must. You’ll survive."


    Greg sighed dramatically and flopped back into the chair beside the exam table. "This is cruel and unusual punishment."


    Eveughed. "You’re wee."


    Dr. Selina smiled at the antics but nodded in agreement. "Then I’ll make a note to send the gender result only to Miss Eve and Miss Ellie. Don’t worry, I’ll keep the surprise safe."


    Greg threw his hands up in defeat. "Fine. But if this baby ends up with twenty gray onesies, I’m ming both of you."


    "You’ll thank us when you see Dn’s face at the reveal," Ellie promised, a knowing twinkle in her eyes.


    With the decision made, the room fell quiet again—only the soft sound of the ultrasound machine and the rhythmic beating of the baby’s tiny heart filled the space.


    Greg reached for Cammy’s hand again, eyes glistening. "No matter what we’re having... I already love them with everything I’ve got."


    Cammy squeezed his fingers. "Me too."


    Dr. Selina chuckled under her breath as she finished the scan. "Everything looks good. Baby’s heartbeat is strong, growth is on track, and—yes, I’ve confirmed the gender."


    Greg instantly sat up straighter, his eyes wide.


    The doctor smirked knowingly and clicked a few buttons on the machine. A small printer beside her whirred to life, slowly printing the official ultrasound photo with the gender discreetly marked in the corner.


    Greg leaned forward with anticipation, like a cat ready to pounce. "I’ll just take that—"


    But before he could make his move, Dr. Selina expertly slipped the page into a sealed envelope and handed it directly to Ellie, who snatched it with lightning speed.


    "Thank you, doctor," Ellie said sweetly, while tucking the envelope into her purse like it was a sacred relic.


    Greg lunged forward half-yfully, "Ellie! Come on, just let me see—just a little peek!"


    "Nope!" Ellieughed, already backing toward the door.


    "I’ll give you ten thousand dors right now," Greg said with wide eyes.


    "Make it a million and the answer is still no!" Eve dered as she linked arms with Ellie. "We have to go. Important, top-secret party-nning duties await."


    "You traitors!" Greg called out in mock betrayal as both women bolted out of the room like mischievous children with a stolen treasure.


    Cammy burst intoughter, the sound light and full of life. "You’re so dramatic."


    Greg turned back to her, throwing himself into the chair beside the exam table like a defeated warrior. "You think this is funny? I’m going to lose sleep for a month."


    Cammy stroked his cheek tenderly, her eyes still glistening with joy. "Well, think of it this way—you’re not waiting alone anymore. We get to wonder and dream together."


    Dr. Selina excused herself with a smile, leaving the couple alone in the gentle hum of the ultrasound room.


    "I just hope it has your eyes," Greg whispered. "But my patience."


    Cammy snorted. "That’s not happening."


    *********


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