∞∞∞
An hour later, I’m sitting in Andy’s doctor’s rooms and the three of us are staring in wide-eyed silence at each other.
“Twins,” I whisper, staring at the blurred image on the scan she’d printed from the ultrasound. She nods. It had been impossible to miss the crazy thumping of those two tiny hearts. “Oh, my God,” I choke out.
“I’d say you’re a little over three months along,” she says. I’m shaking my head.
“Nikki…” Sophie murmurs, reaching for my hand. I let her fingers wind around mind.
“But I’m using contraception,” I say numbly.
“These things aren’t foolproof,” Andy says. I pinch my lips together. I know she’s right. But still…
“Twins!” I say again.
“What are you going to do?” asks Sophie. I’m too numb to answer.
“I can help you,” Andy says, so softly I have to strain to hear. “You don’t have to do this, if you don’t want to…”
I snap my eyes to hers, realizing what she’s suggesting.
I don’t have to have them.
“No!” I say sharply and she moves back slightly. She doesn’t understand. And I can see why she might have assumed that I might not want to be a mother now, after all that’s happened.
But I do.
I absolutely do. I’m going to have these babies, and I’m going to love them with every fiber of my being.
I only pray that Dario shares my feelings. Because my biggest fear right now, is heading home, and telling him that I’m pregnant.
“Do you want to call him now?” Andy asks. Sophie’s fingers squeeze mine.
“I’ll be right here,” she says gently. “I’ll help you through it.”
My heart clenches for a second. As terrified as I am right now, I realize how blessed I am to have these two strong beautiful women here to support me. Whatever the response from Dario may be. And yet, still, I shake my head.
“I need time,” I say, rising unsteadily. I feel myself sway. “I need to think this through.”
God!Think this through?I need to find a quiet place to make sure my head won’t explode. Sophie’s standing beside me, reaching for my purse. We’d started this day with me playing big sister, yet since those moments with the ultrasound, things have changed. Suddenly, I’m the one who needs care.
“I’ll take you home,” she says gently, reaching for my arm to guide me out. Andy nods and the pair exchange a look.
“Get her settled,” she says to my sister, then turns to me. “I’m coming round this evening to check on you,” she adds. “I want you resting. Do you hear me?”
I nod numbly. Rest…yeah, that’s what I’m going to do today. Rest, and figure out how to survive this new insanity. Because I’m living with a man whose son’s mother disappeared just a few weeks ago. And I’m about to tell him that I’m going to land two new souls on his doorstep.
Oh Lord…what the hell am I going to do?
Chapter 9
Dario Caraldi
The man staring at me through the glass of the prison visitation window looks nothing like my father. Gaunt, eyes shadowed, the great Ernesto Caraldi has been brought to his knees. And I have every intention of keeping him there.
“What news do you have from outside, son?” he asks.
Son.
