"Two babies," Kira whispers. Her hand tightens in mine. "Maksim, we're having twins."
"I can see that." I can't look away from the screen.
"Twins run in families sometimes, but they can also happen spontaneously,” the doctor is saying. B
Two babies. Two lives depending on me to keep them safe.
The magnitude of it crashes over me like a wave. Not just one child to protect. Two.
"Are they okay?" I manage to ask. "After everything tonight.”
"Perfectly healthy," the OB assures me. "Both heartbeats are strong. No signs of distress. The placenta is protecting them well."
Relief floods through me so intensely I feel dizzy again.
"You're sure?"
"Positive." She prints out images from the ultrasound, handing them to Kira. "I want to see you back in two weeks for a follow-up. And try to avoid burning buildings for the rest of the pregnancy."
There's humor in her voice but also concern. She knows something happened tonight. Knows we're not normal expectant parents.
"We'll try," Kira says.
The OB leaves, and suddenly we're alone with the ultrasound images. Two tiny shapes that will become our children.
"Twins," I say again, testing the word. "We're having twins."
"Are you okay?" Kira studies my face. "You look pale."
"I'm—" I stop. “I think. I love you, but I’m going to pass out.”
“Nurse!” Kira calls out even as my world starts to fade.
I pushed it too far.
Whoops. I’m going down.
Chapter Thirty-Seven
Kira
Maksim's eyes roll back, and he starts to collapse.
"Maksim!" I lunge forward, trying to catch him, but he's too heavy. He hits the floor hard, his head cracking against the tile.
Two nurses rush in, followed by the doctor who examined me.
"He's been shot," I blurt out. "In the leg. He wouldn't get treatment until I was checked."
"Stubborn idiot," one of the nurses mutters, already checking his pulse. "Get a gurney. Now."
Within seconds, they have him loaded onto a stretcher. I follow as they wheel him down the corridor, my heart hammering against my ribs.
"Is he going to be okay?" My voice sounds small, scared. I hate how scared I sound.
"Blood loss and shock," the doctor says, not slowing. "We need to get him stabilized. You need to wait here."
"No." I grab the edge of the gurney. "I'm not leaving him."
