Page 134 of Loving Wild

“Two,” she responds, her teeth still gritting together for some reason. “You’re the father of two of my children, the other two are at an age where they’ll very soon be fathers to their own kids. I’m going to have grandchildren the same age as myownkids.”

“One great big happy extended family,” I say with a grin. “The Wild bunch.”

“Help me up and pass me my knickers,” is the only response I get.

* * *

“It’sgreat that you’ve made it this far, but we have to be realistic,” Trish, who it turns out is an obstetrician, tells us. “We don’t have a last period date to work with, but going by the measurements, you’re only ten weeks pregnant. Given your age, the fact you’re currently carrying twins, your IUD being where it is, and that you’re already spotting, there’s a chance you may not go to term with this pregnancy.”

“What does that mean, she’ll have them early? How early?” I ask.

“That, I can’t tell you. Do you have a preferred obstetrician, Lauren?”

I watch as Lauren shakes her head. She’s been mostly silent since we were given the news we’re expecting twins earlier. She’s pale to the point that the skin under her eyes is almost translucent, and her hand in mine is cold and clammy.

“You okay?” I ask. She nods, but I don’t believe her.

“The last time I needed an obstetrician was twenty-three years ago,” she tells Trish.

“Well, you’re talking to me because I just happen to be the only OG at the hospital today, but I do specialise in multiple births, so if you’d like to keep seeing me . . .”

“Yep,” Lauren cuts her off and says. “Honestly, if that’s your speciality, then it makes sense and gives me one less thing to worry about.”

“Okay, well then, I’d really like to see you weekly. We have lots to factor in with this pregnancy, and you guys have a lot to go home and consider . . .”

“What date are they due,” I cut in and ask.

“Sorry, didn’t I say?”

She didn’t. And I’m getting the feeling that the negative spin she’s putting on the situation is what’s getting to Lauren.

“Thirtieth of June,” Trish says, “but, given everything, these guys could be arriving anytime from early May onwards.”

Ten minutes later, after Lauren has blood tests done and leaves a urine sample, and we’ve been loaded up with information sheets on multiple births, and the different genetic screening options available to us, we walk back to the car.

Lauren remains silent.

Her silence continues all the way home, finally speaking when I slow the truck as the gates to the drive slide back.

“Can you let me out? I’m gonna have a walk on the beach.”

I pull to a stop.

“Ren.”

It takes her a beat before, hand on the handle to let herself out, she turns and looks at me.

“Ten minutes and I’m coming to find you.”

“I just need . . .”

“No. This is happening to us,bothof us. They’reourbabies, and we work through this together, not separately.”

Without a word, she slides out of the truck, and I once again watch in my rear-view mirror as she crosses the road and the beach to stand at the water’s edge, remembering that the last time I watched her do this, it didn’t end well.

Pulling my truck to a stop outside the house, I call Coop.

“Fuck face, Zac’s here now and told me your plan. As long as we’re invited for Christmas every year and can carry on all the old traditions, I think it’s a great fucking plan. Have you put it to her yet?”