Total pages in book: 23
Estimated words: 21156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 21156 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 106(@200wpm)___ 85(@250wpm)___ 71(@300wpm)
Nadia turns to me, blue eyes brimming with tears and terror and a joy so sharp it nearly slices me open. “Jay,” she whispers, and it’s half a question, half a warning. She’s crying, but she’s also laughing—a hiccupping, delirious sound. “We’re having twins,” she says, over and over, like she needs to hear it out loud to believe it.
I kneel beside the table, cradling her head in my hands, and kiss her forehead. My own eyes are stinging. Fuck, I think I’m crying, too. “We won the baby lottery, sweetheart. Two for the price of one.”
Melinda beams, takes about a thousand measurements, and narrates the whole thing in real time. “Looks like they’re sharing a sac, so they’re identical. Both heartbeats are strong. This one’s being shy, but we’ll get a better look next time. Your babies look absolutely perfect. I don’t see any reason to worry.”
My wife visibly relaxes as a huge smile breaks out on her gorgeous face. I nod like I understand any of this, but really, my entire world is two flickering blobs on a ten-inch monitor and the woman beside me who is carrying them in her body.
Melinda prints out a strip of grainy photos and tucks them into a little envelope. “Here’s your first family photo. Show it off!” She cleans up the gel, helps Nadia sit up, and says, “If you have any questions, don’t hesitate. And get plenty of rest, Mom. You’re growing two superheroes in there. The doctor will talk to you about how this changes your care at your next appointment.”
The tech leaves us alone. Nadia sits on the edge of the table, knees wobbling, hands full of printouts.
“I can’t believe it,” she says, staring at the paper. “Jay. There are two.”
I kiss her again. Her face is hot, flushed with adrenaline. “We can do this,” I promise, but my voice cracks, and we both start laughing.
“Are you freaking out?” she asks, eyes glued to mine.
I shake my head. “I’m too busy being in awe of you.” I scoop her up, yoga pants and all, and spin her in a slow circle. “Twins. We made twins. That’s insane. I love you so fucking much, Mrs. Vale.”
She laughs, but it’s a wild, happy sound. “I love you, too.” She smiles down at me. “We’re going to need a bigger apartment.”
“I’ll start looking for houses tonight,” I tell her, and it’s not a joke. My mind is already mapping security systems and baby gates and backup baby gates for when the first ones get destroyed.
We sign some paperwork, and Nadia schedules her next appointment, then we step out into the Worthington Hills sunshine, blinded for a second by the real world. I look at Nadia, and I see it—the relief, the terror, the raw, shining love. It’s mirrored in my own chest.
I slip my arm around her and press my palm to her still-flat stomach.
“We’re really doing this, huh?” I murmur, grinning like an idiot.
She holds up the ultrasound strip, pride and panic warring in her face. “We really are.”
I lean down and kiss her, right there in the parking lot, like I’m staking my claim on the future. Two for one. Double trouble.
Best. Jackpot. Ever.