Page 105 of Defect
Then.
Woosh. Woosh.
Once, then again. Once, then again. The pattern puzzled the nurse and the tech as well until she adjusted the probe.
“Oh…well. Look at that. No wonder you’re hearing such an irregular heartbeat. Because there are two heartbeats. You’re pregnant with twins, mama. Identical too.” She pointed to the screen while my world faded in and out of focus. “See? They’re sharing a sac.” My heart thundered to life. Pride and gratitude surged through my veins. I couldn’t hold back my joy or my tears.
“Twins?” I said, making sure I heard her correctly.
“Yes, sir. Congratulations, you two.”
Suddenly, my world grew bigger by two heartbeats.
I was going to be a father. Solana was having identical twins.
When we were finally left alone after all the commotion, I let out a laugh. “Twins. We’re having twins.”
“Fucking twins. I don’t even think I care about my ribs anymore,” she said. “This is your fault. You know that, right? You and your sage dick, cleansing everything and making way for not one buttwobabies.” She flashed me a beautiful smile even though her face was swollen and she was in pain.
She was still my sunflower.
She was still glowing.
That was Solana. She was a true goddess no matter the situation.
…
SOLANA
“Miss Monroe, it’s my understanding that you requested an emergency hearing. Correct?” The judge looked at me from the bench and I smiled politely. My face still throbbed even after three days.
“Yes, Your Honor,” I answered.
“My client called for an emergency hearing after Malachi Wallace contacted her when his father Vincent Wallace brutally beat him then left him alone,” My lawyer, Charles Allen said.
“Your client is petitioning for full legal custody of Malachi Wallace. Is that correct?”
“Yes, your honor. We are asking that Vincent Wallace’s parental rights be terminated on the grounds of severe neglect and abuse. I believe you have copies of the numerous reports filed by Malachi’s principal and teacher in addition to the open welfare case from child protective services.”
“I’ve reviewed them all,” the judge said. “Is Malachi here?”
“Yes, Your Honor. He’s here,” my lawyer said.
“Good, bring him out, please. I’d like to speak to him.” We all waited quietly as Malachi was brought into the courtroom. I smiled when I saw how brave my baby was. He held his head high and took slow deep breaths like I taught him. I gave him thumbs up when he sat on the stand.
“Hi, Malachi. I’m Judge Harris. Can I ask you a couple of questions?”
“Yes, ma’am,” he nodded respectfully.
“Thank you. We’re making a very important decision today and I want to know what you want to do about it. Would you like to live with your dad or would you like to live with Miss Monroe?”
“I want to live with Miss Monroe. I love her. She’s already my mommy in my heart.” I had to fight back tears and I couldn’t tell if it was from his sweet words or the double dose of hormones coursing through me.
“Do you think you’d ever want to live with your dad?” Judge Harris asked.
“No. He’s mean. He won’t let me eat and he hits me all the time.”
“Judge, I’d like to point out Malachi’s physical record. He’s currently ten pounds underweight for a child his age. The pediatrician cited malnourishment and neglect as the cause,” Mr. Allen said.
