Page 99 of Sweet Twins For My Brother's Best Friend

“I’ll be there soon, just got one more errand to run, okay?”

“Sure, don’t be long, though.”

“In more ways than one,” I tease, and she laughs in a way that tells me she’s rolling her eyes.

We hang up, and I walk over to the woman behind the glass case. Her severe brown bob shines under the hanging light that’s positioned directly over her, throwing a glare across her lenses.

“So, tell me about the lucky lady,” she says warmly, her brown eyes on me as I kneel on one knee to look closer at the different engagement rings.

“Hannah,” I tell her, looking up and smiling, my hands pressed against the glass, transferring fingerprints to it.

“She has changed everythingng about my life. I can’t wait to marry her.”

Chapter Forty-Five

Hannah

The fluorescent lights above me blur as the gurney rolls down the sterile hospital corridor as I’m wheeled in for the procedure to remove my IUD.

My heart pounds like a drum in my chest, each beat a reminder of the two little lives growing inside me.

I grip Chris's hand, his calloused fingers strong and steady, a contrast to the whirlwind of emotions churning within me.

"You're going to be okay," he whispers, his voice a soothing balm in the unfriendly, cold-smelling hospital. I glance up at him, his rugged face etched with worry, his usual confidence replaced by a vulnerability that mirrors my own.

"I know," I manage to say, though my voice wavers. "It's just... the twins, Chris. What if something goes wrong?"

He squeezes my hand tighter, his blue eyes locking onto mine with an intensity that sends a shiver down my spine. "Hannah, nothing will happen to them. Or to you. We have a long future ahead of us.”

His words bolster me, giving me the courage to face the impending surgery.

But the fear still lingers, a shadow that refuses to dissipate. I try to focus on the rhythmic beeping of the machines around me, the clinical efficiency of the nurses prepping me for the procedure, anything to distract from the gnawing anxiety.

A nurse with kind eyes and a gentle smile approaches. "Hannah, we're ready for you now. Chris, you can wait in the family room. We’ll be out to talk to you when we’re done.”

I look over at Chris and back at the nurse in confusion, scrunching my eyebrows together as I calculate what’s happening. “I’m confused, am I not going to an operating room?”

The nurse lets out a sharp laugh of surprise. “Oh! No.”

She reaches out and squeezes one of my shoulders, and I almost lean into it, rest my cheek on her hand, out of vulnerability.

“This isn’t an actual surgery. It’s more of a procedure. We’ll give you some anesthetic, and we’ll remove the IUD with the aid of an ultrasound.” I breathe a sigh of relief.

“Aw, I’m sorry you’ve been worried this whole time. Poor thing. You’re going to be just fine.”

Chris leans down, pressing a soft kiss to my forehead. "It’s okay to be nervous, Hanny. But I'll be right out there," he promises, his voice a low murmur meant just for me. "I love you."

"I love you, too," I whisper, my voice barely audible over the lump in my throat. He steps back reluctantly, our fingers slowly untangling as the nurse guides me through the double doors.

As he steps back, standing on the sidelines and looking at me with wide-eyed concern, I feel frantic buzzing rising in my chest.

“Wait!” I cry out, shooting my hand towards him, “I can’t do this alone, please! I need him to come with me!”

“Okay, okay,” the nurse says soothingly, running a hand over my arm. She looks over at Chris and wags her finger at him. “Dad, looks like we need you.”

Chris hurries over to me immediately, taking my hand in his and rubbing the back of my hand with his thumb. He leans down and kisses my cheek.

“It’s okay, I’m here now,” he tells me soothingly. I feel the warmth of his kiss spread across my skin.

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