“No,” she says gently. “It can mean a few different things.”
My pulse kicks. The cold gel hits my lower stomach, and Mason squeezes my hand just as the machine hums to life. A gray wash fills the screen with shadows and shapes that don’t look like anything monumental.
The doctor stills her hand.
“Well,” she says lightly, “that explains the hCG level.”
Mason straightens beside me. “What does?”
She turns the monitor slightly, adjusts the angle, and points.
“There’s baby…and there’s another baby.”
My heart stops. My hand covers my mouth. And I look at my Mason. My vision blurs instantly as tears spill over, hot and unstoppable.
Mason exhales a shaky, disbelieving breath. “Holy crap.”
Dr. Sneed smiles like this is her favorite part of the job. “Given today’s fainting episode, I recommend rest and hydration. But both babies look excellent. You’re measuring exactly where you should be given your last cycle.”
I don’t even know what to say, I’m still shocked.Twins. So I just nod, crying and laughing at the same time.
The doctor finishes up and steps out with a promise to bring discharge papers. When the curtain falls shut, it’s just us again.
Mason sits beside me on the edge of the bed, staring at the floor for a second like he’s trying to absorb the information…then looks up at me with the softest, wildest, happiest expression I’ve ever seen on his face.
“Twins,” he whispers. “We’re having twins, Meg.”
Another sob-laugh bursts out of me. “Are you okay?”
“No.” He laughs, breath shaky. “Absolutely not. But also…yes. I’m happy.”
His forehead presses to mine, and the world settles around us.
And right here, I feel peace. Overwhelming, quiet, God-given peace. Like He’s whispering,I didn’t forget you. I was preparing something bigger.
Mason breathes out a soft, awestruck laugh against my forehead.
“Nothing crazy, huh?”
Chapter 34
Mason
A nurse comes back with discharge paperwork, and I sign everything without really reading it. My hand moves on autopilot while my brain is still thinking about that ultrasound screen.
Two heartbeats.
Two babies.
Megan’s changing back into her clothes and using the bathroom.
I step out into the hallway for a second, needing air, a quick second to process. My chest feels tight. Not in a bad way, just…full. Too full. Like there’s not enough room for everything I’m feeling.
Joy. Terror. Gratitude. Panic. All at once.
I lean back against the wall and close my eyes.
God, I don’t know about twins.The prayer comes out quiet, barely a whisper.
