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“They’re okay,” he says, although the tension around his mouth makes it clear he’s trying to convince himself too.

“You don’t know that.” I look toward the door again, willing it to open. “She went to get the doctor.”

“I know.” Bane gets closer and cups my cheek, turning my face toward him when I start staring at the door again. “I also know they were both moving this morning, and she already heard the heartbeat. Until the doctor tells us there’s a problem, that’s what we have.”

I cover his hand with mine because I need the contact even if I can’t make myself believe him yet. “I’m scared.”

“So am I.” His thumb moves against my cheek. “We’ll be scared together until she comes back.”

I want to argue because fear has already supplied enough possibilities to keep me occupied for the next year, but the door opens before I can answer.

Dr. Keller comes in with the technician and pulls a stool closer to the machine. “Apparently Baby B has decided to make everybody work today,” she says as she reaches for the wand.

I search her face. “Is everything okay?”

“Let me check.”

Bane sits again and takes my hand and she spreads more gel over my stomach and starts scanning.

The room feels too warm now.

I watch the monitor even though most of what appears on it still looks like gray shapes unless somebody explains what I’m seeing.

Dr. Keller adjusts the angle, taps a control, and a fast heartbeat fills the room.

My entire body loosens.

“That’s Baby A,” she says.

She moves the wand farther across my stomach, and the sound disappears long enough for fear to claw its way back up my throat.

Then another heartbeat comes through. Fast, strong, unmistakable.

“And there’s Baby B.”

I close my eyes as relief rolls through me.

Bane lowers his head toward our joined hands, and his fingers tighten around mine before he looks back at the screen.

“They’re both okay?” I ask.

“They both look good,” Dr. Keller says. “Baby B has shifted behind her sibling enough to make the angle awkward, but the heartbeat looks strong and the measurements are where I want them.”

Bane’s head lifts. “Her?”

The doctor freezes. I turn toward Bane, and the technician presses her lips together.

Dr. Keller’s eyes widen. “You weren’t finding out the sex.”

“We were waiting,” I say.

“I’m so sorry.”

Bane rubs one hand over his jaw. I stare at him.

“Well,” I say, “apparently one of them is a girl.”

His mouth twitches. “Apparently.”