Page 94 of Pucked and Pregnant

She nods, her mouth tilting into a frown. “Yeah, along with the whole world,” she says quietly. “Are they angry?”

I sigh. “I think they’re more hurt than anything. They were angry at me for keeping it a secret from them.”

“I get that. I just need them to win tonight’s game. We can fight about all of this later.”

“Look, men always have variable reactions when they find out their girl is pregnant, even if they were there for the process that leads to it. They’ll come around.” The paramedic gives me a reassuring smile. I smile back, settling in as we head toward the hospital.

“I hope that the baby is okay,” Liv says in a tiny voice.

“We’ll get them to check everything,” I reassure her. “Are you… you’re keeping it, right?” I dare to ask.

Her eyes fly open and she glares at me. “Max! Yes, of course I am.”

I hold up my hands defensively. “Okay, okay. Just checking. Last I knew, you had the next 10 years planned out to a tee.”

She relents a little and sighs heavily. “I know, but sometimes, a lot of times, life throws us a curveball.”

I feel relieved at her words. I would support any decision she made but this choice feels better. I don’t have any idea how to feel about the fact that she was sleeping with all of my friends, at the same time, but I do know how I feel about my sister. I love her and I want what’s best for her. Always. And I want what’s best for my little niece or nephew growing inside of her.

We get to the hospital and I hop out of the ambulance, following the paramedics into the building. They wheel her into a room where nurses surround her, transferring her onto the bed and immediately checking her vitals and hooking her up to a heart monitor.

“This is one of the best hospitals in the area,” the kind paramedic tells me. She squeezes my shoulder and adds, “You’re a good brother. I’ll be thinking positive thoughts for you both.”

“Thanks so much,” I reply, glancing over my shoulder at her as she leaves then stepping over to Liv’s bedside.

“The doctor will be here soon,” one of the nurses says as she slips past me in the doorway.

I walk over to Liv’s bedside and look at her for a moment. She stares back at me before saying,“I don’t know how to do this.”

I shake my head and laugh. “You think I do?”

She giggles. “No, but I’m the planner so it’s bad news ifIdon’t know what to do.”

“Hello there,” the doctor says as she comes into the room. “Let’s take a peek and check on your baby. Do you want to be alone for the exam?” she asks Liv, glancing at me.

“I can hang out in the hall,” I say before Liv can reply.

“No, I need the support,” Liv says to me, holding out her hand, which I take. “This is my brother, Max,” she tells the doctor.

“Nice to meet you, Max,” the doctor says. “Okay, let’s check on the little life we’ve got growing in there.”

I stay silent as the doctor lifts Liv’s shirt and squeezes ultrasound gel onto her belly. Liv has closed her eyes again, and I can tell she’s still not feeling great.

As the doctor moves the wand around, rapid little beats fill the room and an image appears on the screen. It almost sounds like the beats are under water. “Good news,” the doctor says. “The heartbeat is strong. Have you had your first checkup yet?” she asks.

Liv sighs. “No. I have an appointment next week.”

The doctor nods. “Well then, let me be the first to congratulate you. You’re having twins.”

Liv blinks and turns her head toward me so fast I’m afraid it might pop off. “Twins?” she says in a confused voice, fear in her eyes.

I squeeze her hand again and smile. “Guess so. Two for the price of one. It does run in the family,” I remind her.

She gives me a small smile in return and shakes her head. “Wow,” is all she can say.

The doctor points out each heartbeat on the screen along with each little peanut. She then pats Liv’s knee and hands her a cloth to wipe the gel off her belly.

“I’ll print these pictures for you,” she says. “You need to get more rest and eat better. Keep your appointment next week. Your regular OB/GYN will give you a list of things to help you throughout the pregnancy, along with a prescription for some prenatal vitamins. Most mothers of twins find that it’s hard to keep up with their daily demands without sufficient nutrition and sleep. Make sure to put your needs first, we don’t want youhaving another fainting spell. Your twins will only be as healthy as mom is.”

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