Page 129 of The October Arrangement

The technician finished the ultrasound and handed us several pictures. Bella and I stared at them together.

“Our babies, Simon.”

“Babies. That’s going to take some getting used to,” I said. “It’s plural now. Christ. We need two cribs.”

“Simon.” She cocked her head as I helped her up from the table.

“What?”

“Can we at least make it out of the doctor’s office before you start planning?”

“I’m not planning, sweetheart. I’m stating a fact.”

“Well, we’ll need two of everything which means double the mess in the penthouse.” She grinned. “Are you going to be able to handle that?”

“I’ll get back to you on that,” I smirked. “What if they’re both girls?”

“Careful, Simon,” Bella said.

“I didn’t say anything bad. It’s just two daughters are scarier.”

“What? Why?” she laughed.

“Because I’ll be outnumbered. Even Raine is a girl.”

Bella laughed.

“It doesn’t matter. All I want is for them to be healthy,” I said.

“Me too. Your father is going to lose his mind.”

“Shit. He barely survived finding out about one grandchild. He and Mary are leaving tomorrow morning for their trip. We better head over to his place and tell them the news.”

I pushed the elevator button and grabbed hold of Bella’s hand.

“Simon?”

“Yes, sweetheart?”

“I’m in shock.”

“Me too.” I chuckled as we stepped into the elevator. “Did you know that twins run in your family?”

“I remember my mom telling me that my great-aunt was a twin. Apparently, as far as the family knew, they were the first set. The thought I could be pregnant with twins never even crossed my mind.”

“Two cribs,” I mumbled. “Two of everything.”

This morning, I’d been nervous about seeing one baby. Now there were two. Two heartbeats, two cribs, two car seats. Two kids who would depend on me for everything. It scared the shit out of me. But I knew Bella, and I had this. We were stronger together, and there wasn’t anything we couldn’t do.

Nick pulled up to the curb of my father’s townhome. I helped Bella out of the car, and we stepped inside.

“Dad?” I shouted.

“In here, son.”

I grabbed Bella’s hand, and we walked into the living room.

“How did the ultrasound go?” William asked.