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.”

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