Page 128 of What if It's Us

“I’m not going to freak out,” Ledger says confidently, piercing me with his green eyes. Then he hesitates. “Unless all three start crying at once. Then I’m tagging out and just hiding under the crib.”

I reach for his hand, squeezing it. “You’re going to be great. Don’t worry.”

Before he can respond, there’s a knock at the door and Dr. Kwan,our maternal-fetal specialist, steps in with her nurse.She’s efficient but warm, already glancing at the chart and smiling.

“Well, look at you two. Hanging in there at twenty-seven weeks like champs.”

Deadpanned, I dryly reply, “I feel like a glorified watermelon stand.”

Dr. Kwan chuckles. “Well, that’s because you’re growing a whole produce section. Ready for the scan?”

Ledger stands up like it’s game time, adjusting his chair out of the way and I shift to lie back as the nurse applies warm gel to my stomach.

Thank God it’s warm this time.

She glides the wand across my skin and immediately, the screen lights up with movement. Three tiny bodies twisting and jabbing for leg room.

“There’s Baby A, head down, being very cooperative,” Dr. Kwan narrates. “Baby B is… still breech, but squirmy as ever. And Baby C is basically doing yoga.”

“Looks like they’re all taking after you,” I say, eyeing Ledger.

“Hey. Don’t blame me just because they’re elite athletes already.”

Together we watch the screen in awe as Dr. Kwan takes measurements, pausing now and then to point things out.

“Heartbeats are strong. Growth is right on track for all three. Fluid levels look good. And you, Marlee, are holding up incredibly well for someone carrying a small hockey team.”

Smiling weakly, I sigh. “I can’t see my feet. Or tie my shoes. Or sleep. But other than that…” I shrug. “I’m thriving.”

Dr. Kwan pats my leg kindly. “You’re doing great. Just keep hydrating, rest when you can, and don’t hesitate to come in if you feel anything out of the ordinary.”

She wipes the gel from my belly and begins entering notes into the chart.

Ledger watches the screen a moment longer, quieter now. “It’s kind of crazy,” he murmurs. “Seeing them like this. Knowing they’re all in there, getting bigger. Getting ready.”

I smile at the picture on the screen, my hand resting instinctively on my belly. “I know.”

He reaches for my fingers again, gently lacing them with his. “I don’t know how I got this lucky.”

“You said yes to my stupid ridiculous limerick. It was over after that.”

We share a laugh, and Dr. Kwan smiles on her way out.

As the door clicks shut behind her, Ledger leans down and presses a kiss just under my belly button.

“Keep growing, rookies,” he whispers to them. “We’ll see you soon.”

The room is dimly lit,the glow from Ledger’s phone casting soft light over the mountain of pillows I’m nestled into. Ledger lies beside me, shirtless, one hand draped protectively over my round belly, eyes half-closed as he scrolls through his phone.

“I think one of our children has found a hobby,” I mumble, shifting uncomfortably. “And it’s called kickboxing my bladder.”

Seriously. Do they ever sleep?

“Tell them to pick up a book like a normal fetus,” Ledger murmurs, half-asleep.

“I’m serious,” I say, sitting up a little. “Something feels…different. Tight.”

Ledger’s eyes pop open and he lifts up onto one elbow. “Different how?”

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