I'm practically nauseous by the time we get there. My morning sickness has been steadily dissipating these last two weeks, but right now I feel like I could hurl all over the girl smiling at me as she checks me in.
Isabella and Cash chat quietly about something they're looking at in a magazine as we wait. My hands are clenched tight in my lap. I wasn't even really aware that they were until Cash, without looking over at me, reaches for them, unwinds them and then laces his fingers through mine. That gesture alone-the assurance that he's with me, that he feels me whether he's otherwise occupied or not-is a greater comfort to me than I ever could've imagined.
I hold onto his warm hand for dear life and, when they call my name, I still don't let go.
The three of us follow the nurse back through a labyrinth of hallways. We stop once to let her weigh me and then she drops me off at the bathroom, giving me instructions to pee in a cup while she escorts Cash and Isabella to my room.
Cash's eyes hold mine for several seconds before I close the door. In them was all the love that I feel for him, reflected right back at me. Honestly, I'm more blessed than a girl has a right to be. Maybe it's just too much good fortune for a woman who has everything to have a beautiful baby of her own, too. Maybe I should just be happy with what I have.
And I am. Cash is the best thing to ever happen to me. I'd give up life itself for one more day with him. And Isabella has managed to wiggle and squirm her way into my heart in ways I never thought possible. I have everything I need to be happy. There's no reason for me to be so upset over this.
At least that's what I tell myself, but I'm still near tears when I take my seat in the examination room, only to be startled when the nurse jerks open the door and tells us to follow her.
She ushers us into the small, dimly lit ultrasound room. My heart is slamming around in my chest so hard, I feel sure it's echoing off the muted green walls. I wipe my wet hands on my thighs when she tells me to hop up on the table and lie back.
I do as she says, bearing my baby bump when she asks me to. She squirts warmed blue-tinted conductive jelly on my stomach and then spreads it around with the probe until she finds the right spot. She watches the screen, obviously searching for something specific as the indecipherable blurs of black, white and gray flit from left to right.
She pauses, pressing in a touch harder. "There. You hear that?" she asks.
I nod. I do. It's an odd, rapid swishing sound. It's the baby's heartbeat. That much I know.
I feel tears spring to my eyes. At least the heart is still beating. That's something, right?
She smiles, but says nothing else. She moves the probe around some more, spreading jelly around on my stomach. Again she finds a particular spot and again she presses in a little harder. "And that?"
I nod again, hearing the baby's heartbeat for a second time.
"That is baby number two," she pronounces with a wider grin.
I think my lungs stop working for a second and I struggle to stay put when I really want to do is sit up, as if in doing so, I might better understand her words.
"I'm sorry?"
She turns to look at me, a mischievous glint in her warm brown eyes. "That's the second baby's heartbeat. You're having twins, Mrs. Davenport."
I cover my mouth with both hands and turn my blurry gaze to my husband. He's sitting shoulder to shoulder with Isabella and his mouth is hanging open just like mine is under my hands.
Through my tears, I can see the sparkle of his eyes. They seem to be full of all that is practically gushing from my heart.
I glance to his right, to the little girl sitting there with her hands in her lap like a little lady. "Do you think you can handle having two babies around, Isabella?" I ask.
Her smile is brilliant as she nods and then looks up at her father. She clonks her feet nervously against the legs of the chair, but giggles when Cash pulls her into his arms with a delighted whoop!
"Twins! We're having twins!" he says gleefully.
He stands, sets Isabella on her feet and grabs her hand as they both walk to stand by my side.
He takes my hand in his, rubbing the knuckles with his thumb before he kisses them. Then he leans down until his face is inches from mine. "I'm never letting go," he declares softly, squeezing my fingers.
I free my hand, reaching behind his neck to pull his face down to mine. Now is no time for restraint.
Tenderly, but with every ounce of emotion that bubbles within me, I press my lips to his. "Our perfect little family," I say, my voice tight with emotion. He nods, kissing my forehead to hide the excess exuberance that threatens to trickle from his eyes.