Page 109 of The Doctor's Twins
“I can only tell that one of them is a boy. The other baby is hiding its gender. I’m sure we’ll be able to tell at a later stage.”
“No. I don’t want to know,” I said on impulse. “Let’s keep it a surprise.”
“Uhm, that might be a problem for me. I’ll be doing the scans. I’ll have to see.”
“That’s fine. But don’t tell me. Okay?”
“Okay, you crazy girl,” Ben grinned.
“Hey, crazy as a fox,” I smiled.
“I love you, you nutter,” Ben laughed and kissed me.
“Oi, it’s already full in there. Don’t get any ideas,” I teased.
“Honey, there’s always room for Daddy.”
* * *
I felt like a whale. My boobs hurt, my ankles were getting fat, and I’d never peed so much in my life! But, I was deliriously happy. I was seven months along and Alyssa was visiting me for a few days.
We were at a coffee shop, where I’d gotten into the habit of ordering a watermelon and feta salad, with added anchovies. It was pretty standard, and the waitress brought it to me without me even asking.
“You’re a whack job, Pey,” Alyssa said as she watched me scoffing.
“Wait until you get weird cravings. I can’t help it. This tastes sooo good.”
Alyssa laughed and ate her bacon and eggs.
“Ugh! I have to pee again. I’ll be right back.”
“Uh-huh.”
I waddled across to the bathroom and sat down to pee for arguably the twentieth time that morning. That was when I saw it. My body went cold.
No! Blood.
“What’s wrong, Pey?” Alyssa asked when I returned to the table, “You’re pale as a ghost.”
“I’m bleeding,” was all I could say.
Alyssa took a moment before she registered.
“Uhm, okay. Don’t panic. Let’s get you to Ben. I’ll pay the bill.”
My head was spinning. I couldn’t think. It was as if my mind had executed a shutdown without my permission.
“Okay,” was all I could utter.
* * *
“Talk to me, Ben,” I pleaded while he looked at the monitor.
“It’s okay, Peyton. Calm down, my love. The babies are fine.”
“Are you sure? Why the hell am I bleeding?”
“It’s placenta previa, darling. You’re bleeding quite a bit, so you’ll have to spend the rest of your pregnancy in bed, but the babies will be fine.”
