Page 89 of The Seven Month Itch
Huh?
“Your HCG levels were higher than most at ten weeks. I had a suspicion that proved to be correct.”
My brows pull together. “I’m afraid I don’t follow.”
She smiles and twists a button on the computer. Silence blends with our baby’s heartbeat. “It appears our first ultrasound did not catch the little bean, or strawberry, I should say now that you’re eleven weeks along.”
She smiles at our blank stares.
“Listen closer,” she says. “You’re expecting twins.”
Her words roll into me like a person regaining her memory after years of amnesia. It takes some focus, but I hear two heartbeats.
Twins.
Terrence’s grip on my hand is stiff. His eyes stare at the monitor, and I don’t think he’s blinked. I call his name three times before he swallows and answers. “Y-yes, baby, I’m here. Twins.Shit. I mean—sorry, Doctor.”
Dr. Gayle laughs and turns off the monitor. She rises to her feet to get the lights. “No apologies needed, Terrence. You’d be surprised how common that reaction is when people find out they’re having more than one child.” She hands us two sonogram pictures. Ourbabies. “Everything looks healthy so far. Nausea and fatigue will increase, so make sure you get plenty of rest and drink lots of water, Justice. Any questions for me?”
Yes, here’s one: how?
She smiles again. “I’m sure you two have lots to discuss. Schedule your next appointment at the front desk before you leave. We’ll do a noninvasive prenatal screening in the coming weeks to make sure everything is fine. I’ll have the sex of the babies once I get the results, and I’ll tell you if you want to know.”
Again, silence.
Dr. Gayle pulls open the door and turns to smile at us. “Take all the time you need. Congratulations. I’ll see you soon.”
Time passes and tears flow. We hold each other and thank God. Terrence can’t stop kissing me. “I love you so much, Jay.”
“I love you too, baby.”
Chapter 42
Terrence
Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas Is You” plays on repeat for thefourthtime today. I now regret my decision not to soundproof the walls in this house. Mariah doesn’t want a lot for Christmas, but I’ll take a silent night.
In the last five days, I’ve tasted enough crinkle cookies and hot buttered rum to last me an eternity. The more ugly sweaters Justice forces me to wear, the more I empathize with the Grinch. He wasn’t an asshole. He was a survivor, forced to endure the antics of Whoville.
“Ouch.” Pain from the needle sears my skin. I have blisters from hanging up lights on our home for the International Space Station to see. This is what happens when your wife’s nesting phase collides with the holidays. “Remind me why we’re doing this?”
Lee Garvey keeps his eyes glued on the TV and grabs more popcorn. “Do you want to face the firing squad? This is the only way we can watch the best Christmas movie of all time.”
I learned early on never to second-guess my father-in-law. He’s a wise man who’s taught me over the years the power of “Yes, dear” and to keep my head down to dodge arguments.
It’s a Christmas miracle the women haven’t kicked down the door to the home office and forced us to makeanothergingerbread house for the small town swallowing up the kitchen island. If that means we have to hide out here and string popcorn garland together until our fingers bleed, so be it.
At least we have beers, snacks, andDie Hard.
The last several months came and went in a flash. One minute, I’m planning for the grand opening of my facility. The next, I’m preparing for the arrival of our twins.
Twins.
My heart swells with joy and terror at the thought of two babies’ love and screams in this house. I can’t thank God enough for the rainbow after the storm, our light at the end of a very dark tunnel. I’m in awe of my wife, which is why I’ll wrap this whole damn house in popcorn garland if necessary.
What my baby wants, my baby gets.
Justice had to take it easy but didn’t slow down her hustle too much. Her marketing campaign for my training facility helped us gain more business than anticipated. Sales have tripled since we opened our doors in September. Justice had to hire a marketing assistantandan intern to help her and Olivia juggle the demand ahead of her maternity leave.
