Page 159 of Pretend You Love Me

“You told Paul that we were trying to get pregnant and look at us now.”

I laugh. “Do you think I jinx us?”

“Yes. I should be angry, but I’m not.”

“Did you tell anyone that I’m pregnant?” she asks.

“Just Hawk - he’s excited.”

“That little town is going to lose its mind. Did you know that Rose made me drink a fertility tea?’

My eyes nearly pop out of my head. “What?”

She laughs and nods. “I didn’t have a choice.”

“Well, maybe I’m not the one that jinxed us then?”I lift up her hand and kiss her knuckles. “I guess I’ll have to thank Rose, won’t I?”

“Both of us.” She’s holding my gaze as I press my lips to her knuckles again. “We should go back for a visit soon. Maybe over one of the holidays coming up?”

She’s decided to leave her job later this year. She’s working until Spring Break and then starting her maternity leave. It runs through the end of the school year, and she’s decided not to return. She’s taking a job Zadie has offered her since it’s more flexible and part time. I think it will be the perfect balance for her, and she’s excited about the work.

She’s already done some blood work and the examination with the doctor. We’re just waiting for the ultrasound. So far, everything looks great, and she’s handled it like a champ.

The ultrasound tech walks in and smiles at us.

“You ready to see your baby for the first time?”

We both nod. As she enters some things in her computer, she says, “This is why I love my job.”

She swivels around in her chair. “Could you lift your shirt up for me?”

Brooklyn raises her shirt up to her bra. There’s just the tiniest hint of a baby bump. I swear it’s noticeably bigger than last week. The tech lowers the waist band of her pants down slightly.

“I’ve warmed the gel, so it won’t be cold.” She spreads it over Brooklyn’s stomach and presses the wand down and turns back to face the computer.

“Huh.” She clicks a few buttons and moves the wand around a little without another word.

Brooklyn stares up at me with terrified eyes.

“Is something wrong?” I say.

The tech is so focused, so she doesn’t answer.

“Is there a problem?” I nearly shout.

“Oh, no...no problem. Hang on a second. I want to show you something.”

She pulls the screen closer to us and points. “Twins.”

I’m sure I haven’t heard her right.

“What?”

“There are two. See one here and another right here. Brooklyn, you’re having twins.”

Brooklyn doesn’t respond. She’s just staring at the screen. I’m just staring at her.

“Twins?”