Page 98 of Dark Truths

I glance at Michael for support, but he shrugs unhelpfully. “Don’t ask me. I’m personally glad he’s not.”

The love between my brother and Dimitri has gotten no better since the start of the year…but it also has gotten no worse, too. So, while I’m counting my blessings there, I doubt that’s also the reason why he’s not here right now since he’s put up with my brother before for less.

“You don’t need to be here either,” I point out. “I asked for Rose, not you.”

“Where she goes, I go.”

Lily wanted to join us, but Mei started school this year and caught a bug, so she’s stuck at home with her sick daughter. Even though she’s absent, she still got in on the bet my family started about the twins’ genders. Team girl is Dad, Lily, and Mei. Team boy is Mom, Raphael, and Enzo. But Rose is convinced it's will be one of each, and Michael simply goes along with whatever Rose thinks.

Me?

I just want them to be healthy.

“Ms. DiAngelo?”

I look over at the nurse standing in the open door that leads to the back. We follow her through to the back and I go through the motions of having my vitals taken while my mind a million miles away.There’s a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that I can’t shake. Like there’s something wrong.

“This isn’t right,” I say aloud when the nurse leaves us in an exam room. “What if he shows up now and I’m not out there?”

“Then he’ll ask the nurse where you are and join us,” Rose answers logically.

I know that, but it doesn’t help ease my worry.

“Why did the nurse call you DiAngelo?” Michael asks, his question changing the subject. “Aren’t you Gabriella Volkov or whatever his real last name is? Champ? Chalk?”

“Clark,” I correct him with a raised and annoyed brow. “I haven’t changed my name here yet.”

“Is your marriage even legal?”

“Yes.” He’s asked that question in a roundabout way for the last month. “We used his real name. For the hundredth time.”

Michael huffs before he crosses his arms and leans against the wall in silent frustration. Let my brother pout for all I care. His attitude won’t change anything, but it will only annoy me more. And right now? Without Dimitri here and no idea where he is, I’m borderline freaking out.

The doctor walks in. She’s an older woman, with a kind face and warm eyes. Most importantly, she’s well experienced and specializes in pregnancies with multiples and has a clear background with no shadiness.

“Hi there,” she greets. “How are you feeling this morning, Ms. DiAngelo?”

There’s nothing I can do right now about Dimitri’s absence, as much as I hate it, so I swallow down my panic and force myself to concentrate on the situation at hand. “Better. The morning sickness has all but subsided. Those ginger cookies you recommended worked like a charm.”

She smiles. “That’s wonderful to hear. Now,” she glances toward Rose and Michael, “who do we have here?”

“This is my brother, Michael, and his fiancée, Rose.”

“And the father? Are we waiting for him?”

I shake my head with a forced smile. “No, he couldn’t make it.”

“Oh, that’s a bummer.” She rolls her ultrasound cart over and prepares her instruments. “Do you still want to know the genders?" I nod. "Okay, well, we’ll have plenty of photos and a recording of the ultrasound to share with him.”

“Thank you.”

“Alright, you know the drill.” I lift my shirt and tuck the blue paper in the waist of my pants to protect the clothing from the gel. She raises a tube, warning me the gel will be cold before shesquirts a sufficient amount on my bump. “Let’s see if your little ones want to cooperate today.”

A few moments later, the familiar whooshing sounds of hearts beating fast fill the room. I close my eyes and savor the proof of life. Losing one or both of them is a constant fear in the back of my mind. As I enter my second trimester, the risk becomes much lower, but my confidence won’t fully settle until I have them safely in my arms.

“Okay, so do we have any guesses?” the doctor asks.

“Our entire family is divided,” I tell her.

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