“Too good,” she whispered and turned back toward the screen as the picture cleared up a little. A small black circle throbbed on the screen and Jamie reached out, pointing to it. “Is that the heartbeat?”
“Sure is... but... wait a moment.” The doctor squinted. “Have you had an ultrasound yet?”
“We... Um, have we?” All of a sudden Jamie couldn’t remember.
“Well, there isn’t one heartbeat—”
“What?” Alex interrupted.
“I see two.” The doctor laughed and stood up. “Your little ones are fine.”
“Two?” Alex lifted his eyebrows and stood up. “Are you kidding me?”
“Really?” Jamie narrowed her eyes as her heart constricted in her chest. Two babies?
“Really.” The doctor moved up and pointed to the screen. “We have one heartbeat here and one here. Two babies. Twins.”
“Wow,” Alex breathed, and Jamie turned in time to see his eyes fill with unshed tears. “Can you see if they're boys or girls?”
“Not yet. It's a little too early, but you can ask your doctor to check in about six weeks by my calculations, based on the size of their hearts.” The doctor moved back and walked to the door. “Congratulations, and make sure if you start spotting again, you come see us or your OB/GYN. There's no reason to take chances with such precious cargo.”
“Thank you.” Jamie turned back to the freeze-frame picture of the babies. “Twins. Wow, Alex.”
He laughed and leaned over the top of her. “This is one tragedy that I'm happy to have turn out for good. We're going to need another room at the house for the nursery. How exciting.”
“Let's just keep them in the same room until they're a little bigger?” She turned her attention fully on him. His blue eyes were filled with warmth and his smile lit her on fire.
“Yeah, anything you want.” He leaned down. “We're going shopping the minute we find out what they are. I want us to get the nursery ready early so we can use it as a happy place in the house. Things keep going wrong, but this...” He reached down and brushed his fingers over her tummy. “
This is so right.”
“I love you.” She pulled him up for a long kiss.
“I love you more.” He chuckled. “Twins?! Damn!” He hugged her again.
She stared at him and then at her belly. It was going to grow huge. “Twins.” She started giggling, too. “Twins.”
“I know.” Alex gave her a goofy smile.
She shot him one back. “Nothing comes easy for us, does it?”
He cocked an eyebrow. “Apparently sex and conceiving do.”
She burst out laughing as he hugged her. “So, you’re okay. You’re having two babies...” He slowly moved back. “This is crazy. It’s crazy awesome.”
“It is, isn’t it?” Her heart bounced with excitement. It was crazy.
“How about we get you dressed and go check on your dad? He might love the news.” Alex turned and picked up her clothes. “Are your mom and sister still up in the ICU?”
“My mom is.” She moved the table and accepted his help in getting down. She stripped out of the hospital gown. He watched her like it was the first time he'd seen her naked. “What?”
“You. That's what.” He moved in and ran his hands down her sides before stealing another quick kiss. “I'm going to have to walk through the hospital with a hard-on. Good times.”
She laughed and grabbed her pants, loving his humor. “I'm sure it's not the first time you've been turned on in public.”
“No, you're right. Since meeting you it seems to be a regularly occurring theme. I’m like freakin’ sixteen all over again.” He opened the door after she finished getting dressed, and they moved out into the hall. “Let's get something to eat together after we see your dad. That Italian place you love is just down the road. We'll grab a table to ourselves and just relax”.”
“I'd love that.” She slid her hand into his and walked with him back up to the ICU. They paused outside the door and listened before walking in. Her mom was nowhere to be found, but she wasn't complaining. Life was peaceful without her mom and sister in it, and yet to have her dad involved meant figuring out a way of dealing with her mom better.