“I’m sorry. It’s all my fault.” I sigh heavily. “I had no idea I was so virile. I mean, had I known, we could have taken some precautions. I’m not sure what type, butsomethingat least, so less of my swimmers would have gotten through.”
Xavier cuts in, “Actually, Your Highness, that’s not how it works with multiples. The princess would have most likely dropped two eggs during her last cycle, which will result in fraternal twins. A less likely scenario is that the one egg was fertilized, then split, resulting in identical twins. Either way, it’s got nothing to do with you.”
I’m not sure what look I’m giving him right now, but I know it’s conveying my irritation because his smile falters, then he says, “Not that you’re not highly potent, sir.”
The limo stops at the back of the palace, and Tessa opens the door before Ben can get to it. She slides out and starts up the steps slowly. I take a deep breath and follow her, hoping like hell I’ll figure out the perfect thing to say. We walk down the hall to the private residence, and I wave off Vincent, who tries to flag me down because I’m late for a meeting. I open the door to our apartment and step aside to allow Tessa to go in ahead of me.
She turns to me and sighs, “I’m sorry I snapped at you. I think I just need a bit of time to let this sink in.”
“That’s okay. If I found out I was growing two human beings at the same time, I think I’d be in a bit of a crusty mood as well.” I wrap my arms around her and draw her in for a hug. “We’ll get through this together, you know. Well, notreallytogether because you have to do all of the pregnancy and birthing, but I’ll be right by your side, trying very hard not to piss you off the entire time, okay?”
Tessa nods into my shoulder. “Thanks. You should go to your meeting.”
“I’ll cancel it if you want me to stay.”
She pulls back a bit and shakes her head. “I think I’m going to just lie down for a bit.”
“Okay. Promise you’ll text me if you need anything.”
“I will.”
I give her a long kiss on the forehead, then say, “I know it’s a big shock, but I’m actually pretty excited. Two little Langdon babies to love. We won’t even have to take turns holding them.”
Tessa smiles for a second, then her eyebrows knit back together in fear.
“It’ll be okay. We’ll have as much help as we need.”
“I know. I just have to wrap my head around it. I’ll be fine.” She takes a deep breath and gives me a firm nod. “Get going. You have people waiting.”
“None as important as you.”
She grins up at me, then pretends to be mad. “Stop being romantic. That’s what got me into this mess in the first place.”
“Sorry for being so virile.”
“Seriously, stop with that.”
“Sorry. It’s just that it’s the perfect ego boost.”
***
“NEWS FROM VALCOURTWomen’s Health Clinic as Royal BabyWatch continues today. Giles Bigley is here with the scoop,” Veronica Platt says, smiling into the camera.
Giles appears on screen standing in front of the clinic, microphone in hand. “Yes, Veronica, according to witnesses, Princess Tessa and Prince Arthur were seen earlier today leaving the Women’s Health Clinic, where it’s rumoured they had been in the ultrasound office for a couple of hours.”
“Really? Isn’t it customary for members of the royal family to have these types of exams at the palace?”
“Yes, Veronica, it is. It would seem the young couple is foregoing the extra expense as they prepare for their child’s arrival.”
“Interesting. Could this be a sign of money trouble for the Langdons?”
“Possibly, but doubtful. You’ll remember the statement they released announcing the pregnancy itself, in which they said they were planning to use Avonia’s excellent public health care system and not expect special treatment while they’re expecting.”
“Right. Based on the footage of them leaving the clinic today, it would seem that they may be about to change their minds about that.”
“Quite right. The footage, sent in by a viewer, shows the royal couple looking most displeased.”
The camera cuts away, and the video starts to roll. Giles provides commentary. “You can see that both of them look rather angry.”
“Or it is possible they’re in shock, Giles?” Veronica asks.
“Yes, I’d say that could be the case. The question is, could this be a sign of health troubles for Princess Tessa or the baby?”
“Let’s hope not.”
The video stops, and a split screen of the two reporters is revealed. Veronica nods gravely. “After this break, we’ll be joined by ABNC’s body language expert, Frieda Goodman, and she’ll help us try to make sense of what we’re seeing. Stay tuned for this and a look at this summer’s hottest cocktails after these messages from our sponsors.”
