I inhale deeply, his words grounding me. “You’re right. In a few months, we’re going to have two wonderful babies. Are you ready for dirty nappies and spit-up?”
“As long as they’re healthy, I’ll clean whatever they throw at me.” He grins. “We’re ready, Dee.”
I nod again, this time more confidently. “Okay. Let’s do this.”
We swing by Anna and Johnny’s to pick them up. Anna practically bounces into the car, glowing with excitement. Her energy settles my nerves like nothing else could. She’s strong. Capable. If anyone can carry our babies, it’s Anna.
At the clinic, I cling to both Colt and Anna’s hands. Johnny walks with his arm slung over Anna’s shoulder. I smile at him—he looks proud. I’d worried he might struggle with all of this, but Colt told him he’d be on-call twenty-four-seven for cravings, mood swings, or anything Anna needed.
Once inside, we’re led to a waiting area. I bounce my knee anxiously.
Anna reaches over and places her hand on mine. “Don’t be nervous,” she says. “It’s simple. I’ll be in and out.”
I nod and hug her tightly just as the nurse calls her name. My legs feel like they’re made of damn concrete.
“Do you want us to come in?” Colt asks.
Anna hesitates, then bites her lip.
I step in quickly. “It’s okay. We’ll wait out here.”
She smiles gratefully. I rise to hug her again, tears welling as she wraps her arms around me.
“Thank you,” I whisper, overwhelmed.
Colt steps in, wrapping both of us up in a hug. Johnny joins seconds later, making us laugh through the tears.
“I’d do this a thousand times for you,” Anna says, kissing my cheek.
“I love you,” I whisper.
“I love you too,” she says, then turns to Johnny for a quick kiss before heading off with the nurse.
I sink back into the chair, and Johnny sits beside me, taking my hand. “We’re honored to do this for you guys. Truly,” he says.
“Thanks, Johnny. I know it’s a big deal,” I reply.
He shrugs. “It’s for the right reasons. So I’m in.”
Colt sits on my other side and takes my free hand. I lean into him, exhaling deeply.
Time passes.
I don’t know how long we wait while Johnny paces.
Colt and I sit close, silent but united.
Eventually, Anna returns. Her face is a little pale, but she’s smiling. “Well, fucker,” she says to Colt. “You knocked me up.”
We all burst out laughing.
“So… it’s done?” I ask.
She nods, and for the first time, her eyes fill with emotion. “It’s done. We come back in three weeks for the pregnancy test, but… I already feel different. Like two little beans are growing inside me.”
I grin. “What if they take after their dad?”
She frowns playfully. “No way. I’m not carrying rock stars. I need to sleep.”
