The screen to the right lit up to a fuzzy gray and black. I’d seen ultrasound photos before, so I tried to look for the telltale signs of pregnancy, but I was at a loss.
“There we are.” Dr. Simmons smiled as she pointed to a little black space with what looked like nothing more than a gray lump at the bottom. “There’s your baby.”
She did some more probing and I thought it was to try and get a better angle of the baby to gauge how many weeks I was, but the words that came out next nearly had me hit the floor.
“And there’s baby number two.”
I gasped.
“Wh-what did you just say?” The question came from Xavier.
“That’s the second baby. Congratulations, you two. You’re having twins.”
The most delighted laugh I’d ever heard fell from Xavier’s lips.
“From the size of the embryos, it looks like you’re eight weeks along.”
“Wow.” I was at a loss for words. I had no idea how I’d been pregnant.
“I’ll print out a couple of images for you to take home. Eventually, we’ll do a 3-D ultrasound to get a better look at your babies.”
“Babies,” I whispered to myself. I still could not believe it.
The rest of our visit was a blur as the doctor told us about prenatal vitamins she recommended, making sure I got enough sleep, water and all that. Xavier commented about my being ill, but Dr. Simmons said it should clear up by the second trimester. I was told to make sure I stayed hydrated, and she recommended these ginger pops or candies that were supposed to help with nausea.
It took us at least twenty minutes to get out of the doctor’s office as we had to stop twice for me to throw up, yet again. By the time we were back in the car, I knew I couldn’t make it into work. I was feeling way too weak and drained, although excited.
“Can I use your office to do a video conference with dad and Jason?” I asked Xavier as we drove back home.
He looked at me with another side-eye, obviously not liking the idea. “You should be resting.”
“I will. It’s only an hour or so, but I’ve been out of the office for close to two weeks now. I have to rearrange some things.” I stopped, closing my eyes and willing the nausea to settle down at least for the ride home. Thankfully, Xavier must’ve sensed my unease since he didn’t argue any further.
My eyes remained closed until I felt the car stop and the engine shut off. Assuming that we’d pulled into the driveway at home, I opened my eyes to yet another shock that day. Sitting on top of the dashboard right in front of me was an opened case with a stunning diamond encrusted, rose gold ring. I was speechless.
“I had planned on discussing your feelings on marriage while on the cruise, but you ended up getting sick. Saturday was when I began suspecting you were pregnant and I’d made the call to my jeweler. If you don’t like it, we can get—”
“It’s gorgeous.”
“Okay.” He nodded. “Don’t move.” He got out of the car.
I watched as he came around the front of the car to my side, pulling open the passenger door. I covered my mouth with my right hand when he reached in, grabbing the box with one hand and my left hand with the other, sinking to one knee.
This is really happening.
“There are two things I’ve always been certain of. The first was that I’d own my own business one day. The second is that I’d have a family to pass it on to. Today, I’m certain of three things. The third is that my family is with you.”
The first of my tears fell when he reached up to cover my belly with his hand.
“Chanel Richards, will you do me the honor of dropping your last name and exchanging it with mine?”
I had to laugh at the non-traditional way he asked me. My entire being filled with happiness and love. Not only did I find out for sure that I was going to be the mother of not one, but two babies, but now the man of my dreams was asking me to be his wife.
His eyes were so filled with love, it was almost blinding. So, for once, I shut out any fears or what ifs that wanted to scream out. I said yes to love, to my future.
Xavier slid the ring onto my left ring finger.
“Perfect fit,” I stated.
