Gabe opened the folded garment and placed it over my legs, pulling it up until it rested just under my belly.
“Thanks,” I murmured, reaching for his hand. I had butterflies in my stomach at the thought of the test. It was probably why Gabe hadn’t told me he planned to ask for one today. He didn’t want to give me time to be nervous.
The ultrasound tech noticed how tightly I gripped his hand and offered me a kind smile. “There’s nothing to worry about. I’m just going to use the wand to get a look at your baby, listen to the heartbeat, and take some measurements.”
“Okay,” I whispered, glancing up to find Gabe peering closely at the monitor.
The tech arranged my gown so my belly was exposed, squirted some gel on it and then moved the wand around before finding what must have been the right spot because a whooshing sound filled the room. “Easy peasy. Your baby is very cooperative today. That’s the baby’s heartbeat.”
She clicked the mouse a couple times, moving the wand around on my belly, and I felt the loss of the connection of hearing my baby’s heartbeat. “Oh, wow. You guys are in for a New Year’s surprise.”
“We are?” I asked worriedly.
“You are,” she confirmed. “Because here’s the other heartbeat.”
“Other heartbeat?” I whispered, my jaw dropping as I peered at the screen.
“I need to sit down,” Gabe muttered, pulling a chair over to collapse onto it.
“Twins,” I breathed out.
“I guess it’s a good thing I insisted on the ultrasound,” Gabe answered, flashing me a smug grin as the doctor walked back into the room. “Did you hear the news already, Doc? It’s twins!”
“Twins,” I repeated weakly, still adjusting to the idea.
Gabe eyed my belly and cocked his head before turning back towards the doctor. “Twins change everything.” You could say that again. “How does this impact safe sexual positions now that we know she’s carrying two babies instead of one?”
And we were back to the sex while pregnant conversation. I should have known that’s what he meant.