Page 59 of Press Your Luck

He moved the wand and then typed in something. He did that a couple of times. Finally, he met my gaze. "Ms. Withers, you're not just having one baby."

My heart stopped. Twins? Was I having twins? "What do you mean?"

"You're having three.”

I stared at him, unable to comprehend.

“Triplets,” he repeated, pointing to the screen. “Here’s one. Two. Three.”

I looked at the screen but didn’t see any babies. “What?”

“Everything looks fine, but we’ll want to watch carefully. Triplets aren’t that common.”

“I have triplet brothers,” I said absently because I still couldn’t process what he was saying.

“Multiples can run in families.”

My mind raced as I tried to process what he said. Not just one baby, but three? How was I going to juggle coaching a hockey team and raising triplets on my own? I couldn’t. Could I?

"Ms. Withers, your pregnancy is considered high-risk," Dr. Lyman continued. "You'll need to take things easy, avoid stress, and make some adjustments to your lifestyle or you could risk complications. There’s no partner listed. Are you alone?"

I swallowed hard. “I’m single.”

“And the father?”

God. Pierce. What was he going to think? He was going from one child to four. “I haven’t told him, but I will.”

“Will he help you?” The doctor was professional, but I could hear in his tone how important it would be for me to have help.

I nodded. I felt certain Pierce would help, although I didn’t know how.

“What do you mean by complications?” My hands instinctively cradled my belly. The thought of anything happening to my unborn children terrified me.

He wiped the gel off my belly. "Preterm labor, gestational diabetes, preeclampsia... These are just a few of the risks associated with multiple pregnancies. We’ll also want to monitor their growth. Sometimes, one or more babies’ weight can be impacted as it’s a tight space. We'll create a plan that ensures the best possible outcome for both you and your babies."

"Thank you, Doctor.” I pulled myself together enough to sit up on the examination table. "I understand. I'll do whatever it takes to keep my babies safe."

“I’ll print you a picture of them. Next time, we should be able to see what you have in there.”

“What I have?” Weren’t they babies?

He smiled. “Boys or girls or both. We'll schedule your next appointment before you leave today. And remember, if you have any questions or concerns, don't hesitate to call."

As I walked out of the doctor's office, the world was both spinning and standing still. Triplets. Three tiny lives growing inside me. It seemed impossible. Incredible.

What would this mean for my career in hockey? I had worked so hard to break through barriers and prove myself as a female coach, determined to pave the way for others like me. But the thought of raising three infants alone while maintaining the grueling schedule that came with coaching and traveling... I couldn’t imagine it was possible.

I tried to cling to a shred of hope that I could do it all, but deep down, I knew it would be nearly impossible. My dreams were crumbling around me, replaced by the daunting reality of single motherhood. If I didn’t coach, what would I do? What job was conducive to being a single mom of triplets? Was I even qualified to do it, whatever it was?

When I arrived home, I was still in shock, but my brain was starting to function. The doctor said I’d need help. I couldn’t rely on Pierce. Not that I didn’t think he wouldn’t be involved, but I had no clue what that involvement would be. That left one other person.

I picked up my phone and called my mom. God. What was she going to think?

"Mom, would you ever consider coming to Las Vegas?" I blurted when she picked up the phone.

"Las Vegas? Oh, honey, you know I could never leave our home. Your father and I built it with our own hands and raised you kids here. It's got too many memories," she replied gently. I knew that. It wasn’t the first time she’d said it. “Is something wrong? You know you can come home any time you want, right?”

I should tell her about the babies. After all, she’d given birth to triplets. What better person to guide me? But once I told her, she’d be on me constantly to come home. My career might be over after this season, but I was going to do whatever it took to finish the season.

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