Page 71 of Shameless

Chapter Twenty-Five

Britney

Weeks later

* * *

My heart was pounding in my chest. The technician at the doctor’s office placed jelly on my belly but took tons of pictures without answering what anything meant.

She finished and directed us to the doctor’s office. I still felt gooey from the gel and was a bundle of nerves otherwise. As we waited, I fixed my clothes.

I gripped Michael’s hand as I asked, “Do you think it means anything that the technician couldn’t tell us anything?”

Michael smiled at me and said, “Let’s have the doctor tell us what’s going on, darling.”

“I’m scared,” I said quickly.

The last time I was in a doctor’s office, everything had changed for me. The only good decision I made was to tell Michael. Being honest was all I needed from then on out.

As the doctor came in, Michael kissed my hand and said, “We’re here together.”

“Okay.” I nodded.

The doctor took a seat behind his desk. We stared at him, and Michael broke the silence first.

“So, Doctor, what it is?”

He smiled at us. “You’re having twins.”

“What?”

He nodded. He opened his computer and typed something quickly, saying, “Fraternal twins. Do you want the results of the blood tests that includes the gender?”

I’d said yes to all the genetic testing because I wasn’t the type to just let things be. I needed to prepare for all events with research and study, just as I would for any work challenge. So I met his gaze and kept it simple. “Yeah, I need to know how to decorate and mentally prepare myself.”

Michael straightened in his seat. “Yes.”

The doctor then said, “Congratulations. You’re having a girl and a boy.”

I pressed a hand to my stomach. The first trimester was over, but that explained why I was growing so quickly.

“Seriously?” I said. “Why didn’t the doctors in London tell me this?”

“What were you there for?”

“Stress.”

“They were checking your general health, then,” the doctor said. “Either way, everything is perfect—no problems at all—though you need to continue to stay calm.”

“I will,” I said quickly.

Michael’s face was white as he pushed his chair back. “Thank you so much. We have a lot to discuss, it seems.”

“Have a good day,” I said before we walked out together.

Michael was my rock, and I assumed he’d be happy though his phone kept buzzing with texts.

He quickly read. When we made it outside the door, I asked, “What’s going on, darling?”