Page 48 of Briggs
“Just to be clear, what are we talking about?” Dr. King asked.
“That I’m carrying twins. And I really want one of those magical ultrasounds so I can see them. I’ve heard about them so much, and I want one. I want to see my babies. There are two in there, which would explain why I’m so chubby now.” Todd sighed as he looked down at his stomach.
“You are not chubby,” I told him. “You’re pregnant. With twins.”
“Yes. Twins that are due in about six weeks,” Dr. King said. “You most likely won’t carry them that long, and we’ll watch you closely toward the end of the pregnancy. You’re just at the halfway point at the moment, and there shouldn’t be any issues. If there are, you’ve not informed me of any.”
“None,” Todd said. “Well, not other than what I’ve already told you just a bit ago. I get tired easily. Until yesterday, I was thinking I’d have my energy back by now. Then Briggs went and told me I was carrying twins, and, well, now I know why I’m so sick and have no energy.”
Dr. King gave me a look, but I didn’t know the warlock well enough to be able to interpret what that expression meant. Not going to worry about it, I moved to the side of the table and took Todd’s hand.
“And how are you doing with that news?” Dr. King asked.
“What? Twins?” Todd took a deep breath and let it out. “It’s a lot, but with shifters, it’s to be expected as a possibility, right?” Todd started laughing, and I tilted my head toward him justbefore he opened that thought to me. “Hey, Dr. King?” Todd said while I was chuckling at my mate’s realization. “Do you think that maybe there’s just something about this clinic? You’ve had two office assistants, and both of us have ended up pregnant with twins. How’s that for a coincidence?”
Dr. King started to say something but then stopped. His brow furrowed, and it was comical to watch the expressions on his face change. “You mention something that I honestly hadn’t thought about,” Dr. King said finally. “I don’t believe there is any connection between you and Cecil both working here and ending up pregnant with twins. At least I wouldn’t think so.” Dr. King’s eyebrows rose. “Although…” His hand started glowing green, and he slowly moved it over Todd’s stomach, then stopped. The green light dissipated as he dropped his hand. He looked at me, then back at Todd. “It is a bit questionable that both of you ended up having twins, identical ones at that.”
Todd’s mouth dropped open. “Identical? As in, we won’t be able to tell them apart?”
“You will, but others will struggle a bit until they get to know them.” Dr. King looked my way. “Do you have any issues telling the Mason twins apart?”
I shrugged. “From a distance? Everyone does if you just glance at them. Raiden is more serious than Ramsey though. And when you’re close enough, their scents are subtly different. I always thought that was because they were mated to different people, and we carry a little of our mate’s scent once we’re claimed.”
“Wait, you do?” Todd asked. I smiled at my mate.
“Yes, you do,” Dr. King answered. “Briggs carries just as much of your scent as you carry of his. It’s noticeable to other shifters, letting them know that you are claimed and off-limits.”
I smiled while Todd’s mouth opened a bit. “You know how you’ve said my scent has changed since we claimed each other, right?” I asked.
“Yeah.”
“Like that. It’s changed because I now not only carry a bit of you with me from your bite, but also because we live together. Your scent surrounds me and mine you.”
“Oh.” Todd looked over at Dr. King. “I guess I’d not ever really thought about it. So we’ll be able to tell the twins apart how?”
I chuckled at my mate. “Because even before Raiden and Ramsey were mated to others, despite them being identical twins, they still scented slightly different. Once I was close enough, I was able to tell them apart. We’ll be able to tell our twins apart the same way.” I shook my head. “And despite them being identical, that doesn’t mean we have to dress them in the exact same thing every day.”
“Agreed,” Dr. King added. “Often, parents will pick one color for one baby and another for the other. It helps not only them but others to tell the babies apart. Are you ready to start the ultrasound? You had said you wanted to see your babies.”
Todd nodded before he lay back on the bed. It wasn’t lying down completely, more like he was lounging back. He looked quite comfortable, and I leaned down and kissed his forehead before I stood back up as the lights in the room dimmed.
“So do we want to know what colors to pick, or would you like that to be a secret?” Dr. King asked first.
“I want to know all the things,” Todd answered. Dr. King looked at me, and I shrugged. “I’m not against knowing what we’re having. It will make things easier for certain.”
“Very well. Then I’ll tell the two of you to get ready for lots of pink and ruffles.”
I heard Todd’s sudden intake of breath, and he squeezed my hand tightly. I looked down at my mate and smiled. “Are you upset to be having girls?”
“No…but are you?”
I brushed his hair back with my free hand. “Why would I be? There is nothing wrong with having daughters. I’m immensely happy to be having children at all. If we’re to be the parents of baby girls, so be it. Do you need to have a son? We can certainly try again at a later date.” I smiled at my mate. He grinned back.
“No. I’m good.” His eyes widened. “I’m happy to try again,” he said quickly. “But I don’t care if we’re having girls and we have all girls. I’m going to love them no matter what,” Todd said. He squeezed my hand before he focused back on Dr. King. “I truly am ready to see our babies now.”
Dr. King chuckled before the room was suddenly filled with a sound I’d never personally heard before but had heard others talk about—the sound of our babies’ beating hearts.
Chapter 18
