Page 153 of Tarek

The cold gel drops on my belly and my heart is in my throat. Please God don’t let it be a phantom pregnancy.

The sonographer freezes and gasps. “Um…”

I instantly reach for Tarek’s hand; he rubs my hand slowly.

“Is there a problem?” Tarek asks.

I brace myself for the bad news. This is why I didn’t want to have hope because I have to deal with this after. The sonographer probes my tummy some more.

“Do you have twins in your family?” The sonographer asks. The room becomes silent, I am holding my breath.

“Not to my knowing,” Tarek says.

“Well, congratulations, Mom and Dad, you are about to have twins.”

Tarek begins to chuckle. “Excuse me?”

“Twins, sir. You have twins on the way,” the sonographer replies. A tear creep down my face.

“We did it.” Tarek presses a kiss to my forehead.

“Twins, Basil, twins,” I shout in happiness.

“What?” Tarek asks.

“Austin Powers? You never saw it? It just came to my mind. Forget it.”

“Let’s hear their heartbeats,” the sonographer says.

The sonographer presses the probe against my stomach. I hear two rapid heartbeat overlapping yet distinct.

“That’s our babies Penny,” Tarek whispers. I glance up at him, unshed tears make his eyes shine.

I exhale shakily, feeling his thumb gently brush a tear from my cheek. I didn’t even realize I was crying.

“The doctor will see you in a bit. But congrats to you mom and dad.” The sonographer wipes my stomach and pull my pjs back down.

I didn’t hear the doctor when he got in. All I could think is I’m about to be a mommy. Me. I am going to have the responsibility of bringing and caring for a life.

“You heard that?” Tarek asks.

“Huh no,”

The doctor smiles. “Make sure she gets plenty of rest and relaxation. The next four months are critical. And you,” she adds looking at Tarek “Daddy, you need to make her life easier.”

Daddy? Tarek nods and agrees with everything the doctor says. Tarek Fairisles is the father of my twins. Daddy, like he is going to stay with me and my children. Dear God.

In some months we will know their gender, but right now all I need to know is that they are healthy.

After picking up my prenatal medication, Tarek drives me back to the apartment.

“You take a shower, and I will fix us lunch,” he said calmly. Who was I to say no to a chef-prepared lunch.

I stop at the threshold of my bedroom door. “You don’t have to be here. You don’t have to be stuck with me. You did what you said you were going to do. I mean, it’s over.”

The worddaddywas still bugging me. A father can leave but a daddy is one that stays, and when they leave, it causes damage to everyone.

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