Page 73 of Sweet Twins For My Brother's Best Friend

Once we’re on the other side of the door, she asks me, “Do you feel safe at home?”

“Yes?”

My face must betray my absolute confusion because she rests a hand gently on my shoulder and says, “It’s a routine question. Girls and women in all types of situations come in here. We want to make sure you’re okay with the people you arrived here with. Is that Dad out there?”

Hearing ‘Dad’ like that sends another jolt through my body.Dad? Is that what Chris is now? Someone’sdad?

“Um, yea, that’s…Dad.”

“You’re in Room 12. Go ahead and change into the gown that’s on the bed, and we’ll send Dad in in a few minutes.”

Her voice has a warm gentility to it, like a distant aunt who’s stepping up during a tough time.

Stepping into the room is my first time in complete silence in days.

The chilly air touches my skin everywhere as I pull off my clothes. I fold them neatly and place them on the small, upholstered chair that seems to be in every doctor’s office.

I plunge my arms into the holes of the gown and tie it behind my back. I sink into aloneness as it hits for the first time what’s happening and where I am.

If I’m pregnant, what will my life look like? Will Chris be in it? Will I be a good mother? Can I still grow a business while I grow a life inside of me?

I try to quell the thoughts that try to scream in my mind, the anxiety and uncertainty of the unknown.

Since I was a little girl, I’ve known everythingng about myself. I understood myself and my limitations as well as I understood my strengths. The only knowledge I lacked was what sort of lover I would be.

I knew that I was good at math, that I was needed by my parents, that Tyler was proud of me.

I knew what kind of life I wanted to lead and the path I needed to follow to get to it.

When I decided to become a CPA, I noted that the other potential licensees were generally at least several years older than I was.

People always seemed surprised to see a young woman just out of school working to become a CPA. But I never doubted my own abilities for a second.

My future has always been written in stone. Until now.

A small knock at my door is followed by the door opening almost immediately. The nurse steps in and smiles at me. “I brought you someone.”

Chris peeks out from behind her and smiles with relief, his dimples pressing into his cheeks.

When I look at him, a thought passes through me instantly:There’s your future.

Chapter Thirty Two

Christopher

Relief is written all over Hannah’s face when she sees me.

“Hi.” Her eyes soften, and even her shoulders seem to relax, as though she’s been carrying a heavy weight.

“Hi, Baby.”

I walk over to her and hug her, trying to reassure her with my presence.

She feels so small in my arms, almost miniature despite being almost as tall as I am. I feel like I could wrap myself around her twice more, with room to go. It’s hard to imagine she has a baby inside her. I think of the times I’d kissed her stomach, none the wiser.

“So, you two, if you’re ready, let’s go ahead and see what’s what here. If you would, Miss Jackson, lie back, please.”

Hannah shoots me a worried look before sinking back onto the exam table, her hair cascading onto the pillow and over the side. I smile reassuringly at her and pat the back of her hand.

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