Page 49 of Daddy's Double Surprise

I helped her sit up and I hugged her tightly. When Dr. Fetters walked into the room, I pulled away from her and we both faced him. He was a short man, round belly, balding head. He reminded me that life went on for most of the world, hundreds of women every day in this city gave birth successfully, thousands of children attended school without incident—two things my therapist told me to focus on if I felt overwhelmed.

“How are you two doing? I hear twins are on the way! Congratulations.” He thrust his hand out toward me and I shook it. Sunny pinched his fingers daintily, and he sat on the stool across the room.

“It’s a little shocking,” Sunny told him. She held me tighter, causing me to drift out of my self-isolation inside my own head and remember that she was experiencing this for the first time.

“Twins happen every day, Sunny. You will just need extra nutritional support, more rest, and probably twice as many diapers.” His joke landed with her, but I was already drumming up a million questions for him.

“Dr. Fetters, I know duplicate pregnancies are higher risk. Should Sunny take some time off work? And how do you feel about sex during pregnancy? Will we have to stop that until after she gives birth? What about?—”

“Whoa there, Junior Detective,” he chuckled, pointing a sausage-like finger at me. “I didn’t say you’re in any imminent danger, just slightly more precautionary than usual. With fraternal twins rarely do we run into any major issues besides maybe Sunny here needing an epidural instead of laboring au natural.”

She swatted at my arm and chuckled. “You’ll have to forgive him. He’s very protective of me.” Her arm around my waist eased more of my concern.

“Sunny will be able to work and exercise like normal. We don’t get worried about things unless she shows signs of distress.Duplicates are very common, Dr. Price, as you are well aware I’m sure. When she gets closer to term, we will put her on light duty to rest more, but only because growing one baby is hard enough. Growing two can be exhausting. I suggest cutting work hours back when you start to feel too tired.” He looked at Sunny and continued. “And we’ll do monthly sonograms until thirty weeks, after which we’ll do them twice monthly to ensure the babies are growing well.”

“Thank you, Dr. Fetters.” She clung to me, but her voice was strong.

“I’ll have Audree set up the next sonogram, and in the meantime, Carter, if you have any other concerns, feel free to call.” Dr. Fetters dismissed us and we headed out. I didn’t release Sunny until we were back in the car, where she pressed a kiss to my cheek as I started the engine.

I held her hand as I pulled out of the parking lot and headed toward Malibu. Everything inside me was jumbled up and tossed, but somehow I knew it would be alright. Sunny had a confident joy about her that glowed, seeping into me like a warm summer sunshine that told me everything would work out just fine.

Now to tell Rick and Melanie the news and hope they thought it was good news, not the tragedy Rick would probably think it was.

35

SUNNY

Igripped Carter’s hand a little tighter as we walked up the stone path to my parents’ front door. The warm glow of the porch light illuminated the entryway, casting long shadows across the lawn. The house was as pristine as ever, but tonight it felt different—like a stage set for an uncomfortable confrontation rather than a family dinner. My chest was heavy.

I took a deep breath, steeling myself. The last time I was here, my father and I had barely spoken. The tension between us had become suffocating, settling into every pause in conversation, every sideways glance. And now, after everything that had happened, after Carter and I had become something more than just a reckless fling—I wasn’t sure how this night would go. Dad’s last remarks to me were so hurtful; I couldn’t shake the way he looked at me.

Carter must’ve sensed my hesitation. He squeezed my hand and murmured, “We’ve got this.”

I nodded, but my stomach twisted into knots anyway. It wasn’t just Dad I was worried about. My mom, Luna—how would they react to the news? That I planned to stay here in LAto be with Carter, and would their reactions have any sway over what Dad thought about the whole thing?

Before I could dwell on it any longer, the door swung open, and my mother’s bright smile greeted us. “Sunny, Carter…Come in, come in.” She gestured as we stepped across the threshold, and my stomach felt like a brick.

Her voice was cheerful, but I saw the flicker of something else in her eyes when she looked at me—concern, maybe even sympathy.

As we stepped inside, the house was exactly as I expected—immaculate, quiet except for the low murmur of conversation coming from the dining room. The air carried the familiar scent of home, a blend of expensive candles and something faintly floral, like the arrangements my mom always had the maid refresh before guests arrived. Everything was carefully curated, designed to be inviting yet controlled. I was used to this; what I wasn’t used to was the ache in my chest, the fear of the unknown.

Luna was the first to notice us. She glanced up from her phone, her lips curving into a smirk as she pushed back from her chair and made her way over.

“Well, well,” she teased, giving me a quick hug before turning her attention to Carter. “You actually showed up.”

Carter chuckled, unfazed. “Wouldn’t miss it.” His grip on me tightened slightly, as if he could read my emotions and knew I needed that added boost.

Luna arched an eyebrow. “Brave man.” Her snicker brought a warm chuckle from Carter which vibrated my chest as his fingers dug into my hip, but something overpowered it.

I felt it—that heavy presence that had been waiting for me since the second I walked through the door. My sixth sense kicked in—dread.

Dad sat at the head of the table, his posture straight, his gaze unreadable as he took us in. His eyes flickered to Carter first,assessing him the way he did with everything, overly critical and looking for weaknesses. I glanced at Carter who seemed collected. Then his attention settled on me.

“Sunny.” His voice was even, measured.

I forced a small smile, paused, nodded slowly. “Hey, Dad.”

“Come in,” he said finally. “We’re all waiting.”

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