39. Chapter Thirty-Nine

Chapter Thirty-Nine

W ith the championship over, it's time to adapt to regular life as a couple.

The first thing Ethan does when we are back in Detroit is suggest we go to the Bahamas, but then I remind him I have prenatal appointments to make, and his mood immediately shifts.

Now he's all excited for the first ultrasound, while I'm anxious and uncertain. I spent the night at his house so we could go together in the morning. Right now, he's waiting for me as I get ready and is being the perfect gentleman by not rushing me at all.

I finish getting dressed and, as a recent habit, check my profile in the mirror. I'm twelve weeks in, just when the belly is supposed to start showing, but so far, I have seen nothing. My stomach is slightly round, but I could easily blame that on the good breakfast I had earlier. This all still feels so surreal.

I opt for a pink linen top paired with leggings and touch up my make up before heading out. The house is enormous, and I still get lost in its hallways, but I follow the sound of the TV to find Ethan. He's sitting in the living room, anxiously tossing his car keys from one hand to another. Excitement and eagerness are written all over his face and he's so lost in thought that he doesn't notice as I approach.

"I'm ready," I announce with a curtsy.

Ethan startles and looks at me. "Oh!" he says, immediately jumping to his feet "Let's go, then."

I follow him to the garage. His car of choice today is a white BMW, so pristine and shiny that it almost looks like the diamond I have on my finger.

Ethan opens the door for me, and off we go. I absentmindedly play with my ring. When Ethan catches me doing it, he instantly comments, "We should get married soon."

"I told you: I want to get married after the baby is born," I remind him. "You can't alter a wedding dress to accommodate all the changes that will happen over the months. It's too challenging."

"Right, the wedding dress." He taps his fingers over the steering wheel. "I just can't wait for you to be my wife, Mia."

I feel a warmth spread through me at his words. "Me either," I murmur, gently rubbing his shoulder. "But everything has its time. This baby won't be coming for another six months, so we'll have plenty of time for ourselves."

When we arrive at the clinic, we step into a sophisticated facility dedicated to the well-being of mothers and babies.

In a serene environment, an elegant receptionist escorts us to the designated room where we're greeted by a female doctor, as I had requested.

"Mr. Matthews, Miss Sanders, I'm Doctor Eleanor Sturges and I'll be your obstetrician," she introduces herself, very polite, offering a firm handshake. "Please come in."

Her office is bright and white, with a light comforting scent of lavender in the air. The cute photos of babies on the walls makes it feel less clinical.

Ethan pulls up one of the chairs for me and then takes a seat by my side, holding my hand reassuring, as if sensing my nervousness.

"Is this your first baby?" the doctor asks, typing away at a computer at her desk.

We both start to answer simultaneously, but Ethan gestures for me to go ahead.

"Mine, yes, his… Not so much," I answer, full of nervous giggles.

"I have a son from my first marriage," Ethan adds. "I wasn't around all the time for the first time, but I want to be now."

"Always good to see enthusiastic fathers," Doctor Sturges smiles warmly. "Let's start with a quick check-up before we proceed with the ultrasound. We'll do so over on the other side of the room, where you can change, Miss Sanders."

She turns to look at Ethan, "Will you be staying in the room, Mr. Matthews?"

He looks unsure, but I gesture towards the area where I will change, hidden by a folding screen.

"You can stay, Ethan." I reassure him, kissing him before stepping behind the screen. "Do I change into the gown?"

"Yes, please. It's on the examination bed, Miss Sanders," the doctor replies, pointing.

I follow her instructions, quickly changing into the gown as Ethan offers a comforting word. "You're handling this like a pro," he says, trying to be supportive.

I reply with a nervous laugh, "This is the easy part!"

Doctor Sturges conducts a thorough check-up, including vital signs, weight, and general health assessment.

"Everything looks normal and healthy," the doctor assures us. "We'll proceed with the ultrasound to confirm the baby's development and check for any anomalies. You can remain as you are in the gown."

I nod, sensing Ethan's tension. He speaks up, "What do you mean by ‘anomalies,' doc?"

"Well, anomalies can refer to any irregularities or unexpected findings during the ultrasound. However, it's quite common to find nothing concerning at all. We'll get a clear picture once we go through the ultrasound."

I lay back onto the examination table as Doctor Sturges prepares for the ultrasound. Ethan hands me a pillow provided by the doctor.

"I've never done an ultrasound before. Does it hurt?" I ask. Of course, I know it doesn't, but it's just the nerves talking.

"Not at all," Ethan leans down to hug me. "It's quite simple, nothing to worry about."

The doctor applies cool gel to my belly, adjusts the machine, and starts the scan. I watch eagerly, my heart racing, as the first images appear on the screen.

"Can you make head to tails of it?" I ask Ethan, curious.

"I'll explain everything, Miss Sanders," Doctor Sturges interjects, her eyes glued to the screen.

And she starts to walk us through it, starting with the spine, then the head, and the limbs, how big the baby is right now, and how much the baby weighs. But then her tone shifts.

"Hmm," the doctor murmurs, sounding intrigued.

"Is everything ok, doctor?" Ethan raises his eyes, worried.

"Nothing to worry about." She smiles faintly, scratching the back of her head. "It looks like you are carrying an extra passenger, Miss Sanders."

Ethan and I look at each other, confused. When we snap out of it, we're both shaking, and I ask, afraid to hear the answer, "What do you mean, Doctor Sturges?"

"You're expecting twins," she says very calmly. "Two baby girls."

"Wow!" Ethan exclaims. "Are they identical?"

"Yes, Mister Matthews." Ethan just stares at her in shock, and I can completely understand the feeling. I was trying to wrap my head around having one child, but twins? We are going to have two babies?

Ethan and I exchange bewildered glances as the doctor makes a few more measurements, framing both baby girls on the screen. My jaw drops as I stare at the screen, where the doctor maneuvers the ultrasound wand, revealing two distinct shapes.

Then, she turns to us, and with a smile, offers, "Would you like to hear their heartbeats?"

"Of course," Ethan says eagerly, while I just nod, feeling terrified.

The doctor makes an adjustment on the ultrasound machine and turns up the volume. Soft thumping sounds echo into the room, overwhelming me with feelings of panic I cannot describe.

But it also fills me with joy.

I start to cry, and soon I'm sobbing like a small child. Ethan holds me close and kisses me without a word, because none are needed in a moment like this.

The doctor shuts down the machine and hands me a tissue.

"I guess tears happen pretty regularly here, huh?" I say, wiping my tears.

She nods with a smile and uses another tissue to gently clean my stomach.

She performs another set of clinical exams and lets us go with another appointment scheduled for two weeks from now, and prescriptions for several vitamins.

We leave the clinic hand in hand. I am squeezing Ethan's so tight it is likely turning purple.

He notices it and removes his hand from mine, only to place his arm around my shoulders. "How are you feeling?" he asks, very gentle and kind.

I shake my head and lean my head against the curve of his neck. "I just didn't expect it to hit me like a brick like this," I giggle. "I mean, now I can't deny it anymore. But I'm still in shock about having twins."

"Why deny it?" He walks us to the parking lot, already searching his pocket with his free hand for the key. "You don't regret it, do you?"

"No," I quickly answer. "I didn't plan this, but I can adapt… with your help."

He bobs his head around, clicks to unlock the BMW, and walks around to open the passenger door for me. "Makes sense. But does it ruin too much of your plans?"

Ethan sounds sad while saying that. And to think he didn't start this journey that enthusiastic about my pregnancy, now he's more enthused than me.

"I don't know," I sigh, buckling up. "What I had in mind for my immediate future was different, but I'm thinking I can adapt. If you help me, of course…"

Leaning closer to kiss my cheek, Ethan touches his forehead to mine and smiles. "Of course I will," he says, as loving and caring as ever.