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“You joke about it, but that might be the case.” She muttered.
*****
“I hardly recognized you.” Her dad exclaimed as he took her hand and guided her up the steps. “Is he leaving?” He nodded towards the driver as he walked back around to the driver’s side of the vehicle.
“I told him I would call when I am ready. Can we sit out here on the porch? It is such a lovely day and I have been cooped up inside the house for most of the week.”
“Of course.” He helped her lower herself on the porch swing.
“How about some tea?”
She shook her head. “I am full.” She patted her stomach.
“I am surprised you’re here.”
“Why?” She turned her head to look at him. She had called earlier, and he had sounded a little off. She saw him just this week and he looked like he had lost weight. She wished he would consider coming to live with them at the manor but mentioning that, would be a complete waste of time.
“Honey, you look like you’re about to burst.” He pointed out, trying to hide his own worry. He wished he could see her more often, but he made his daily check and her husband despite their strained relationship kept him up to date.
“Almost four months.” Her smile was whimsical as she used her foot to propel the swing forward. “I have been having frequent contractions. The blood pressure keeps going up and down and I have gestational diabetes.” She smiled at him. “The fun never ends.” Her smile faded. “Do you think I made a mistake dad?”
“Honey…”
She shook her head to stop him. “I keep thinking I should have waited. I have an entire team of professionals at my beck and call. I disturb my husband every five minutes when I get up to go to the bathroom.
I am swelling so fast; I wake up and find that I have gained several pounds. I cannot accompany him anywhere and the press got hold of the news that I am carrying quadruplets, and they keep hounding my assistant and his office. One very enterprising reporter found his way onto the property before he could be chased off.
I have become a circus wonder and I keep asking myself if it is worth it. Nurse Connelly is a miracle. She is at my disposal and only leaves my side when Cayden is home.” She leaned forward and rubbed the small of her back, feeling the stiffness there.
“Do you think you made a mistake?” He asked her quietly.
“I am almost four months pregnant, and we have not done anything about setting up nurseries yet.” She gazed out at the dewy hibiscus plants blindly. The winter that had persisted into the end of March had finally decided to allow spring to make an appearance. But even so, there was a lingering chill in the air.
“Why don’t you start?”
Turning to look at him, she admitted what she had been reluctant to. “I do not want to jinx it. I do not want to start preparing for the babies and then something happens. It would break my heart.”
Scooting forward, he took her hands in his. “Life holds little guarantees. You know that as well as I do. Your mother had several miscarriages before you came along, and we had all but given up that we would hold a baby in our arms, and we did.”
He rubbed her flesh. “I have a feeling your husband is waiting on you to make the first move. Why not start thinking of colors? Do you know what you are hoping for?”
She nodded, a light gleaming in her eyes. “Two sets of twins. Boys and girls.”
“Picked out any names yet?”
“No.”
“Then I suggest you start.”
*****
“False alarm.” Dr. Melbourne snapped off his gloves as he finished the cervical examination to make certain she was not going into preterm labor.
“That is the third time this week. Should we be concerned?” Cayden asked tightly.
“Her belly is expanding.” Rising from the stool that had been provided for him, he came around to check her blood pressure. “Your ankles are swollen, and I am going to suggest you stay off them for the rest of the day.”
He waited for the blood pressure cuff to inflate and stared at the reading. “Blood pressure is up.” He looked over at Nurse Connelly.