Page 83 of Arranged with Twins
“We’ll make it a tradition. Every summer, just our family.” The word still feels foreign on my tongue, but increasingly right. “Away from business, expectations, and anyone who thinks they have a claim on our time. We should buy this island.”
“I like that idea.” Her voice grows drowsy. “A place that’s completely ours.”
I listen to her breathing even out as sleep claims her, but I remain awake, staring out at the moonlight on the water. The transformation from who I was to who I’m becoming still amazes me. Six months ago, I would have seen this isolation as a tactical disadvantage, cutting me off from real-time information I used to make life-and-death decisions. Now, it feels like a refuge.
I pull Sienna closer, breathing in her scent and imagine our children moving restlessly in her belly. They’re active tonight, giving me the faintest taps when I cradle her stomach. I can barely feel them yet but knowing they’re in there unravels me in ways nothing ever has before.
“Your daddy used to be a very different man,” I whisper to them, circling my palm around her stomach in search of more movement. “Thankfully, your mother taught him how to be better so I can be the man you two deserve.” Sienna stirs in her sleep, and a small smile crosses her face as if she can hear my words in her dreams.
29
Sienna
The first contraction hits me while I’m arranging flowers in the nursery. The vase slips from my hands and shatters on the hardwood floor, water and white roses scattered among the broken glass.
“Leo,” I call out, gripping the edge of the changing table as a wave of pain rolls through my abdomen. At thirty-six weeks and three days, this is earlier than we expected, but Dr. Foxx warned us twins often arrive ahead of schedule.
He appears in the doorway within seconds, still wearing his reading glasses and holding the investment report he was reviewing. “What’s wrong?”
“I think it’s time.” I breathe through the contraction, counting the seconds until it passes. “The babies are coming.”
His expression shifts from concern to calm, but there’s a hint of fear in his eyes. “How far apart are the contractions?”
“That was only the first one, but it was strong.” I accept his steadying hand as he helps me step over the broken glass. “We should go to the hospital.”
“I’ll call Dr. Foxx and have the car brought around.” Leo guides me toward our bedroom, already pulling out his phone. “Can you walk?”
“I can manage.” The truth is, walking feels increasingly difficult as pressure builds low in my back. “Just don’t leave me.”
“I’m not going anywhere.” He kisses my forehead before dialing. “Dr. Foxx? Sienna’s in labor. The contraction was strong.” He speaks to her for another moment before hanging up. “Normally, she’d say wait and see, but with you having twins, she wants you at L&D to get checked out.”
I sit on the edge of our bed and wait for another contraction while Leo arranges everything with military efficiency. Within ten minutes, he’s retrieved the packed hospital bag from the closet, called our driver, and called ahead to order a catered meal for staff at the private hospital in Manhattan.
I arch a brow. “What’s that about?”
He grins. “It can’t hurt to prime them to like us with a little pasta from Ignatio’s.”
The ride into the city passes in a blur of traffic lights and increasingly painful contractions, though they’re far apart enough that I have no concerns Leo will be delivering our twins in the back of the car. Leo holds my hand and times each wave, his presence steady and reassuring even as I squeeze his fingers hard enough to leave marks.
“You’re doing beautifully,” he says during a reprieve between contractions. “Strong and brave, just like I knew you would be.”
“I’m scared,” I say, the words coming out between shallow breaths. “What if something goes wrong? What if they’re too early?”
“Dr. Foxx says thirty-six weeks is considered full-term for twins.” Leo strokes my hair back from my face. “They’re going to be perfect, healthy babies who are just eager to meet their parents.”
The hospital staff wheels me directly to a private delivery suite, where Dr. Foxx is already waiting, scrubbed and ready. The room is spacious and well-equipped, with surgical lighting and monitors that look both high-tech and reassuring.
“How are we feeling, Sienna?” Dr. Foxx examines me quickly and checks the monitors tracking both babies’ heartbeats before speaking again. “Given that you’re carrying twins at thirty-six weeks, and you’re in active labor, we’re going to proceed with the C-section, just a few days early. The babies are in good position, but this gives us the most control over delivery.”
Leo squeezes my hand as they wheel me into the operating room. “I’ll be right here with you,” he promises, though I can see the concern in his eyes despite his quiet voice.
The anesthesiologist administers the spinal block, and within minutes, I can no longer feel anything below my chest. Leo sits beside my head, holding my hand and stroking my hair while Dr. Foxx and her team work behind the surgical drape.
“You’re doing beautifully,” he whispers, his voice steady and reassuring. “Just a few more minutes, and we’ll meet our children.”
“I can feel pressure but no pain,” I say, amazed by how surreal the experience feels. “Is that normal?”
“Perfectly normal,” Dr. Foxx calls from behind the drape. “I’m about to deliver Baby A.”
