Page 100 of Sweet Twins For My Brother's Best Friend

The surgery center is a flurry of activity, the sterile environment a stark contrast to the warmth and love at my side and in my belly.

I lie back on the table, the cold metal pressing against my spine, and try to focus on my breathing. In and out, just like Chris and I do on our runs. In and out, just like the ocean tides.

The exam room is cold, the kind of sterile chill that seeps into your bones despite the thin, scratchy hospital gown I'm wearing. I lie back on the exam table, my fingers gripping the edge as I try to calm my racing heart.

The ultrasound machine hums softly beside me, a constant reminder of what’s about to happen. A nurse brings a warm hospital blanket over and covers me, helping to calm my anxiety.

Chris sits next to me, his hand warm and reassuring around mine. He hasn’t let go since he reached for it in the hallway. His hand feels like a steady anchor in the storm of my emotions.

"How are you doing?" he asks, his voice low and comforting.

"Just nervous," I admit, squeezing his hand. "But I'm glad you're here."

The door opens, and Dr. Meyers walks in, her expression professional but kind.

"Good afternoon, Hannah. Chris." She nods to both of us before turning her attention to me. "Ready?"

"As ready as I'll ever be," I say, trying to muster a smile.

Dr. Meyers returns the smile with one of her own. "You'll do just fine. The local anesthetic will numb the area, and the ultrasound will help us guide the forceps to remove the IUD since the strings are no longer visible. Chris, I need you to stay up by Hannah’s head and just hold her hand. This should be over quickly."

I nod, taking a deep breath as she prepares the anesthetic. The pinch of the needle is sharp but brief, a small price to pay for the peace of mind that will come with knowing the IUD is no longer a risk to my babies.

Dr. Meyers sets the syringe aside and reaches for the ultrasound wand. “Take a deep breath for me, Hannah. Good, now let it out slowly.”

I let the air out as slowly as I can, like a steady stream, as Dr. Meyers applies the gel to my lower abdomen. She moves the ultrasound wand over my skin, her eyes fixed on the screen.

“OK. There we go," she murmurs. "I can see it. I’m going to have the nurse take over the ultrasound now as I insert the forceps. This way, I can continue to see where the IUD is located and remove it. You might feel some pressure, but it shouldn't be painful."

I nod again, my eyes darting to the screen where the grainy black-and-white image of the IUD comes into focus. It looks so small, yet its presence has loomed so large over us lately.

The pressure is uncomfortable, a deep, insistent push, but not painful, though I get the feeling that if I hadn’t had the anesthesia inserted into my cervix that it would be painful. I keep my eyes on Chris, his gaze steady and unwavering, a lifeline in the midst of it all. “Chris…” I trail off, unsure of what I want to say.

“You’re okay. I’m watching,” he tells me, his eyes above my head as I face him instead of the screen. “It’s going well.”

"There we go," Dr. Meyers says, her tone light and reassuring. "Got it. Okay, one more time. Breathe in and let it out slowly.”

She carefully begins to remove the forceps, the IUD clamped securely between its tips. I feel it traveling through my vagina and emerging, then suddenly nothing.

Relief floods through me, so overwhelming that I feel tears spring to my eyes. "Is it over?" I ask, my voice trembling with a mix of emotions.

"Yes, it's over," Dr. Meyers confirms, her smile warm. "You did great, Hannah. The twins are just fine, and so are you."

Chris squeezes my hand, his own eyes shining with unshed tears. "I told you," he whispers, leaning in to press another kiss to my forehead. "An entire future ahead of us.”

I laugh softly, a sound of pure relief and joy. "I feel so dramatic now.”

Dr. Meyers finishes up, giving us some final instructions and assurances before leaving the room.

I sit up slowly, feeling a bit unsteady but infinitely lighter. Chris helps me off the table, his arm around my waist, supporting me. “Well, how do you feel?”

“I feel like I need to eat something.”

“Not the kind of feelings I meant, but let’s get you something, anyway.”

“Hunger is a feeling,” I object, leaning on him as he lowers me into the passenger seat.

Chapter Forty-Six

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