Page 7 of Resolution
“What’s that?” I ask.
“That’s Samantha’s heartbeat.”
“Here.” The doctor points to a place on the screen. “You can see the heartbeat on the screen. See the flitter?There it is.”
But I see more than one flitter.
“Um, Doc?” I’m about to ask more when Samantha beats me to it.
“Do I see two heartbeats on that screen?” Her voice is high at the end.
The doctor beams with excitement and his nurse says, “Congratulations!”
“Yes,” the doctor confirms. “You’re having twins!”
“Holy shit!” Samantha exclaims. She looks to me and adds, “You not only knocked me up, but you gave me twins?” She seems a little bewildered at the end.
I’m pretty sure her filter has left the building.I laugh aloud.
I look at her with shock written all over my face, I’m sure. “Twins, beautiful. We’re having twins.”
The most beautiful smile spreads across her face, and I nearly melt.
3
Samantha
The momentI hear my unborn child’s heartbeat I’m already in love. Tears roll down my face as I’m overwhelmed with joy. I realize, no matter what fears I’ve had before, I can get past them. I have a baby to care for. The light strum of the heartbeat brings a calming sensation over me. Though, that calmness is short lived. When I see there are two heartbeats, I go into utter shock.What. The. Ever. Loving. Fuckity. Fuck!!! This can’t be happening!
Enzo’s face is almost humorous as it’s the perfect mixture of shock and awe. I can’t help but smile when his dimple pops. The damn thing gets me every time.
The two of us remain silent as we stare at one another.Soon, the nurse and doctor excuse themselves and it’s just us. They mention something about bringing a prescription for anti-nausea medicine and prenatal vitamins, but I can only focus on the man before me.I wish he would tell me what he’s thinking.
He places his hand on mine and the inevitable pull we seem to share is back in full force. It calms me, even though there’s a storm inside my head at the moment. Like a cyclone, I have ten thousand thoughts swirling through my mind. I wish I could catch one and voice it aloud. I wish I had the words to put his worried look at ease.
Just as I’m about to say something, a nurse comes in and gives me instructions for the medication.She takes the IV out of my arm that they had put in for dehydration when I first arrived. I laugh and shake my head at the thought of worrying about a gallbladder, kidney, or my appendix. Instead, the news I received today has totally knocked my world off its axis.
Soon, we’ll be released from the hospital, though our lives will never be the same. We came in as Enzo and Samantha. We’re leaving as Enzo, Samantha, plus two.
I continue to be lost in my head during the short car ride to Enzo’s apartment. Not surprisingly, he’s a gentleman through and through. He’s held my hand through it all and not gone running for the hills, yet.Though, I wouldn’t blame him if he did, with my freak out at the hospital. I’m dying to ask him if we’re okay, but I’m mortified of what his answer will be. What if he doesn’t really want kids of his own? We’ve never talked about this before. Now that I think about it, there’s still so much about him I don’t know.
We go inside, and Enzo remains unusually silent as he makes dinner. Making sure I eat properly was one of the doctor’s suggestions. I can’t help but find it endearing that Enzo still wants to take care of me.
I make a quick trip to the bathroom, then curl up on the couch, and snuggle under the blanket. I’m exhausted from all the puking, as well as the emotional whirlwind of the day, but a part of me can’t help but be a little excited. The initial shock is wearing off and the thought of having another baby—correction—babies, makes me a little giddy.
Holy crap, I’m going to be the mother of twins. I know that having one baby is a rollercoaster ride of its own, but I can’t imagine what it will be like with two. I really hope I haven’t scared Enzo off. I don’t want to do this alone. I know I can, but God, I hope his silence is just him processing this information, not him trying to find the words to let me down easy.
Apparently, I’m lost in thought. The next thing I know, he’s bringing me dinner and it smells delicious. Thank God, the doctor gave me anti-nausea medicine.I still have about a week left in Germany and I want to see more than the inside of a toilet. I almost feel human again.
Once I’ve eaten, I set my plate down on the coffee table. I notice Enzo hasn’t eaten a bite. The man always eats, so something must be wrong.Fuck, how did I miss this?
“Are you okay?” I ask hesitantly.
“The more important question is, are you?” Enzo locks eyes with me and it’s as if he’s peering deep into my soul.
“I’m okay. I’m apparently pregnant, but okay,” I whisper as I cradle my belly in my hands.“I can’t believe this happened. With twins. It’s a lot to take in.” I inhale a deep breath and release it slowly.
“Yeah, it is,” he whispers, still holding my gaze. I can’t get a read on him, and the unknown is enough to do me in for good.
