Page 77 of Pack Plus Three

Chapter 30

Daisy

Two babies.

I was prepared for one baby, not two babies.

Two mouths to feed.

Two tiny humans to keep alive.

I had no clue what I was doing. It had been bad enough when I was going to have one child to look after, but two?

The entire way home, I stared out of the window, trying to make sense of what I had learned. Devon tried to talk to me, but I struggled to hear a single word of it. He simply rested his hand on my upper thigh, constantly touching me in a reassuring gesture.

With one baby, I could just about handle it. But now, I was outnumbered. How did you hold two babies at once? Feed two babies at once? I could potentially feed two babies at once, considering I did have two breasts, but it seemed like a logistical nightmare.

I didn’t even have time to prepare. These babies were going to be here any day. I didn't have the basics. I hadn't bought a crib or car seats. And I was going to need two of each!

“Jeremy’s already home,” Devon said as we pulled up to the house. “He’s in for a surprise.”

“Oh, god. Do you think he's going to be upset?” I asked, my heart rate increasing.

“Not at all. He's going to be excited. It may take a minute or two for him to understand what you’re saying, but he’ll be ecstatic—that, I can guarantee.”

“I need a glass of wine and all the soft cheeses and fish I’m not allowed right now.” I groaned, rubbing my stomach.

“Soon as you pop those babies out, we will be happy to provide it all for you. Come on, there’s no use delaying this. Time to let Jeremy know he’s about to be the daddy of two!” Devon smiled at me before opening his door, stilling when he looked ahead. “Look who’s here,” he said with a laugh.

Jeremy must have seen us pull up. He was striding out to the car with a smile on his face. Wearing a pair of black sweatpants and a matching T-shirt, he looked like he had just come from the gym or practice.

He ate up the space between the front door and the car in several long strides, opening the door for me and holding out a hand to help me out.

“How did the appointment go?” he asked excitedly as he gently led me back toward the house.

“Uh...yeah. Everything seems healthy,” I stumbled to say, ignoring Devon’s snort of laughter at the way I dodged the question. “Aren’t you supposed to be at your game?”

“I took a break between practice and the game to come see you. I wanted to see how the appointment went. Are you sure you’re okay? You look pale. Maybe you could do with a nap? I can make you a late lunch or order out from the Italian place you like?”

“I’m fine, honestly,” I assured him.

“You know I can feel your anxiety, right? You’ve been keyed up since you got to that appointment,” Jeremy said. “I’ve got a pot of green apple tea brewing. Let’s get your feet up.”

“I’ll go grab that for Daisy. Why don’t you guys go chill in the den?”

Jeremy frowned at Devon but did as he said, leading me towards the den.

“Duckie, you’re starting to worry me.” Jeremy frowned as I took a seat. “Devon! She’s healthy, right?” He turned to his packmate, like he didn’t trust what I was going to say. I sat my butt on the end of the sofa and took a deep breath. Jeremy’s worry was palpable, and I needed to rip off the Band-Aid.

“I’m having twins!” I blurted, staring at him with wide, panicked eyes.

“T-twins?” He stumbled over the word, looking at me, his eyes almost comically round.

I braced myself, expecting to feel his disappointment, his worry, his stress, all those negative emotions through the bond.

What I didn't expect to feel was pure, unadulterated joy.

“Yeah,” I said breathlessly. “Two healthy babies.”

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