Always Us (Always and Forever 2)

“Wow, you hear how strong that is? Let’s zoom in here, that sounds like two.”

“Two?” Our eyes fly to the screen, mine bulging from my head.

“Yes, two.”

Frantically, yet excitedly, I look from the screen to Trey, rapidly back and forth.

“Wait, we’re having two babies?” Trey asks from behind the hand covering his mouth.

“Yes, you are and both heartbeats are present. The babies are more than fine. I must say this is a rare case. Twins so quickly with PCOS is a rare but beautiful thing. Congratulations, you two.” Pulling out the transducer, he gives us some privacy by leaving the room. Trey stumbles back to the chair and I just stay staring at him, gauging his reaction.

I’m going to be a mother of twins, he’s going to be a father of twins, we’re parents of twins. We thought the worst, never did we think of this scenario.

I look over at Trey; his eyes are glued to the screen, staring at the picture of our twins. One child may have been exciting news for him, but maybe Kingston said something that put him on edge, making it so this news would be far from good.

“Trey, say something.”

“Twins, we’re gonna have two babies?”

“I know, are you mad?” I ask, looking him over.

“No, baby…shit, no.” Standing fast, the chair scratches on the floor and he practically leaps to my lap. Leaning down, he places his face near my stomach, rolling up the ugly hospital gown, exposing my belly, kissing it over and over again. I smile, running my hands through his hair.

“This is our life, this is our future inside of you, and I could never be mad about a future with you.” His words are my saving grace, they revive my worried heart.

“Really? So you aren’t freaking out about having twins?” I ask. Looking up at me, he shakes his head, almost like a bobble head.

“I’m terrified that I will screw it up, but I’m sure I can figure it out,” he confirms, which has me laughing on the inside.

“Yes, you can. You know why?” I ask, putting my forehead against his, my fingers scratching the hair at the back of his neck.

“Why, baby?”

“Because Pops raised you, I expect nothing less.”

“Fuck, Shayla…”

“It’s true, you’re going to make an amazing father.”

“I’m sorry about tonight,” he apologizes. I take it, knowing it will make him feel slightly better.

“Thank you, but it wasn’t your fault, we couldn’t have predicted she would do that and you can’t be with me at all times.”

“Yeah, but Evan and now Gwen?” He reminds me what I’ve already thought about a thousand times tonight.

“I know, but Evan was my fault, I ignored you, thought I was invincible,” I remind him. That night with Evan was my fault completely.

“It wasn’t your fault either times this happened—this will be the last time.”

“Exactly and not yours either, Trey. Okay?” I challenge him. We can’t blame anyone but those who caused me harm.

“I’m about two seconds away from taking you and running away to the Himalayas to keep you to myself.” We laugh for the first time since we stepped back into this dreadful place.

“Please do. Can we just get married already?” I tease.

“We leave Monday, that’s only a few days away, then we’ll be fucking married. Then we’re going to get a house in the suburbs, have our babies, and grow old together.”

“What a simple, less dramatic life, it sounds like heaven.” This year has challenged us in a multitude of ways. We’ve witnessed heartbreak, beauty, love, and loss. Pops is the only person that I wish could be here to heal this; his words were always comforting, bringing peace when we needed it the most.