“You didn’t have to delay your trip because of this appointment, Matt.Barb or Jennifer would’ve come with me.I could’ve brought your mom with me too.She would’ve enjoyed it,” she tells me, a small smile on her face.
“This is our baby and I’ve already missed so much.Delayin’ gettin’ on the road for this appointment is nothin’, Tutor.Everyone understands and is cool with it.I’m gonna be here by your side no matter what.Besides, I’m gonna be gone for two weeks and I hate that shit.If I could switch with someone, I would stay in town with the kids and you,” I tell her honestly as a knock sounds on the door.“Come in.”
The door opens to reveal a younger woman with her hair up in a ponytail.She doesn’t even look at me as she walks in and stops next to Peyton’s side where the machine is.It’s refreshing and I know this is because of Dr.Matthews.She won’t tolerate disrespect of any kind and I’m sure she’s told everyone to put their full focus on the patient and not the men with her.
“How are you feeling today, Peyton?”the girl asks, putting some information in the computer.
“I’m okay.A little nauseous, but it’s been that way for five months now.It’s never been this bad in the past with my other two pregnancies, but I know each one is different,” Peyton responds as I grab her hand in mine and press a kiss to the back of it.
“Okay.Make sure Dr.Matthews knows so she can keep an eye on it.If it gets too bad, you might have to be admitted to ensure you get the nutrients you need,” the girl says, her voice laced with concern.
“I will.I’m not getting sick as much, but every single day I feel like I’m gonna do nothing but throw up.It’s been manageable so far.If it gets worse, I’ll call Dr.Matthews,” Peyton states, a smile on her face as she looks up at me.
“Okay.Let’s see how your little one is doing.Are you wanting to find out the gender today?”
“No, thank you.I’d like to wait,” Peyton says, looking at me with questioning eyes.
“Yeah.Waitin’ is the best way to go.My mom and Jennifer have already been talkin’ about doin’ a gender reveal thing.No clue what they’re talkin’ about though,” I agree with my woman because I don’t have a problem with waiting if that’s what she wants to do.
I watch on as Peyton pulls up her shirt so it’s just below her chest before sliding her leggings down a little bit.Her stomach is exposed and I want to reach out and rest my hand on her skin, but I refrain because I know this is part of the process.The technician squirts some kind of gel on my girl before placing a wand against her.Our attention turns toward the monitor as the best sound in the world fills the room we’re in.The baby’s heartbeat sounds strong and steady as I watch the girl for any signs of something not being right.Thankfully, I don’t see any concern on her face as she presses a few buttons and the screen switches.
I’m not sure what the hell I’m looking at as an image fills the screen.The girl is moving the wand around as a crease appears on her face.I’m starting to worry a little because that’s not the look someone has if everything is okay.
“Is there somethin’ wrong?”I question, not able to hold back as my grip tightens on Peyton’s hand.
“Well, that depends on the two of you,” the technician say as she faces us with a smile on her face.“How do you feel about havin’ twins?”
“What?”Peyton and I practically shout at the same time though I have a smile on my face with the thought of having twins.
“Right here is Baby A,” the girl points out before moving the wand a little bit.“Here is Baby B.”
“Holy shit,” I murmur, my voice barely above a whisper as I look at the evidence of our babies on the screen in front of us.“If you want to help your wife clean off her stomach, I’m sure she’d appreciate it,” the girl says before pressing some more buttons and leaving the room.
Grabbing a towel from the stack next to us, I carefully wipe off Peyton’s stomach the best I can.This shit is messy and I know Peyton will have to take a shower to get all of it off her body.There’s a stickiness to it and I can’t imagine having to walk around for even a second with it covering my skin.Peyton will have to deal with it until we get home so she can properly clean off.
“Ready to head out?”she asks me once her clothes are back in place and I help her off the exam table.
“I’m ready when you are.I thought we were gettin’ pictures today?”I ask her, not sure where we pick those up from.
“They’ll have them at the front desk.I have to make my next appointment before we leave here.I’ll get a second appointment card so you can have it,” she informs me as we leave the room and head back out front to the desk she checked in at.
Peyton hands me over a card and pictures of our babies before we leave the office.I tuck everything in the pocket of my cut before lacing our fingers together.We make our way out to myJeep Wranglerand I help Peyton in before walking around to the driver’s side.Getting in, I start the engine and pull out of the parking lot, paying close attention to the traffic around us.Peyton doesn’t say a word as we make our way back to the compound and I give that to her because I know she’s processing the news we’re having twins right now.This is gonna fuck with her until she works through everything in her mind and comes up with some kind of plan.
The trip back to the compound is short and I know Peyton will need her sister and Barb today.They’ll help her work through everything playing in her mind better than I can.I can be there for most everything Peyton needs, but when it comes to working through things in her head, Jennifer and Barb are the only ones who can properly help her with that.My mom will be able to also, but for now I think her sister and best friend is who she needs.Plus, Brent can come play with the kids and they can hang out with my family while I leave on this run.
When we get home, my mom is outside with the kids.They’re running around the yard, laughing as we watch them for a few minutes.Cedric and Caydence are having the time of their lives and are completely free.This is because of Peyton and how she’s dealt with everything since the death of her husband.She’s helped them through every emotion and day as they dealt with going from a two-parent home to just having Peyton.Peyton is more than enough for them and loves them with her entire heart and soul.It’s because of her the children are completely at ease and able to play the way they are right now.No one will ever change my mind about this.
“I’m gonna run in and grab my bag before walkin’ down to the clubhouse.The guys are waitin’ on me to head out.Last night, I put everyone’s phone number in your phone.You need anythin’, call anyone and they’ll be right there for you.I know you’ve got Barb and Jennifer, but everyone here is closer and can get to you in seconds.Lean on them and let them help you.I’m sure Mom will be here every day,” I tell her before getting out and rushing to open her door and helping her out of theJeep.
“I promise I’ll be okay, Matt.You worry about yourself and what you’re doing on the road.Let me worry about everything here.If anything happens, I’ll call someone and get the help I need.The only time I’ll leave is to go to the store for groceries and work.I’m actually gonna talk to my boss about working from home.I’d rather be here with the kids than at the office these days.It’s getting bad and I’m ready to quit.Maybe if I don’t have to go in there every day I won’t want to walk away from my job,” she says as the kids notice us and race our way.
I watch Caydence closely because she’s still unsteady when it comes to walking and running around outside.Cedric isn’t all that far from his sister as we prepare for their bodies to crash into our legs.Thankfully, Cedric chooses to use me to wrap his body around because I don’t think Peyton could remain on her feet if he barreled into her.Caydence wraps her small body around Peyton’s legs and looks up at her mom with a large smile on her little round face.
“Mama!”she calls out, her voice full of excitement.
“Hey, Baby.I’m here.Were you good for Mrs.Whitfield?”she asks the kids as Cedric lets go of my legs and hugs his mom.
Bending down, I pick Caydence up in my arms and hold her close to me.
