Page 53 of The Bonus

“Yes, just finding your baby. It’s hiding in here somewhere.”

I hold my breath as he pushes and prods me.

Squelch, squelch, squelch…

“There we are, do you hear that?” He smiles. “A perfect heartbeat.”

The sound brings a big smile to my face. “I can hear it.”

He frowns and then keeps prodding and poking. “Hmm, that’s interesting.”

“What is?”

“There are two heartbeats.”

“What?” My eyes widen. “What do you mean?”

“Do you have twins in your family?”

“No.”

“Well, you do now.”

My mouth falls open as the bed moves beneath me. “Twins?”

“Uh-huh.” He wipes my stomach with a tissue and cleans his wand, he takes my hand and helps me sit up. “Back in your chair.”

I stare at him in a daze.

Twins.

Twins.

The word rolls around in my empty head and bounces off the sides.

“There are two babies?” I gasp.

“Uh-huh.” He smiles as he swivels his chair from side to side. “You hit the jackpot and got some good strong sperm.”

Or not.

“Oh…” I begin to hear my heartbeat in my ears.

Two…there are two. I couldn’t deal with one, and now there are two.

Two, two…there are two babies.

“Grace?” the doctor says, interrupting my thoughts. “What do you say to that?”

“Huh?” My eyes rise to meet his. “I beg your pardon.”

“It’s going to be fine.” He smiles reassuringly. “Twins are a gift, and I know you will handle this like a pro. It’s completely normal to be apprehensive. But of course, depending on how they are in utero will determine the birthing plan we make moving forward.”

I stare at him in horror, I have to push two babies out of my vagina.

It’s too small for one.

How the actual hell am I supposed to do two? I get a vision of me dying on the delivery table…

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