"Livia—"
"You're my sister. I'm coming."
Another contraction stole my ability to argue.
The drive took twenty minutes that felt like hours.
Contractions every three minutes. Too fast. Too strong.
Thirty-four weeks. Babies this early needed NICU care, respiratory support—
"They'll be okay," Alessio kept saying. "They're strong. You're strong."
I wanted to believe him.
The hospital was ready—wheelchair waiting, team prepared.
They rushed me inside, Alessio running beside me, refusing to let go of my hand.
"Valentina DeLuca, thirty-four weeks with twins, water broke thirty minutes ago, contractions every three minutes—"
"Her records from Dr. Morrison in Phoenix are already in the system," someone confirmed. "High-risk pregnancy, twins, no prior complications."
The medical team swarmed. Vitals checked. IV started. Monitors tracking both babies' heartbeats.
Two distinct rhythms filled the room—rapid, fluttering, alive.
"We need to get you to Labor and Delivery," Dr. Reyes said. "Thirty-four weeks is early but viable. We'll try to delay delivery if possible, but if they're coming, we're prepared."
"What are their chances?" Alessio asked.
"Good. Very good at thirty-four weeks. Over ninety-five percent survival rate. They'll need NICU care initially, but most babies this age go home healthy within weeks." She squeezed my hand. "Try to stay calm."
Stay calm. While my babies came six weeks early because of stress, fear, Marco's shadow—
"This isn't your fault," Alessio said fiercely. "You hear me?"
But it felt like my fault.
They wheeled me to Labor and Delivery, Alessio beside me.
Sofia and Livia were directed to the waiting room—only one person allowed with twins.
"We'll be right here," Sofia promised.
"You've got this," Livia added.
Then just Alessio, me, and the medical team.
"We're going to try to slow labor," Dr. Reyes explained, administering medication. "Give the babies more time."
The medication helped—contractions spaced to five, then six minutes.
Maybe we could delay this.
Then alarms screamed.
"Baby A's heart rate is dropping," a nurse called.
