epilogue
LEENA
Six Months Later
“Wow, not one but two?”That’s what Elizabeth, Decker’s mom, says as she looks at the ultrasound picture we handed her. We never really used contraception of any kind from the very beginning. We were of the notion that when it happened, it happened. So, when my period, which is usually on time like clockwork, was three days late, I knew it was time to take an at-home pregnancy test. It was a Saturday morning. Decker was sitting on the front porch, the ceiling fans whirling, keeping a nice breeze blowing along with helping mosquitos stay at bay. I told him what was going on, and it took him two seconds to walk inside, grab the keys to his truck, and we were on our way to the pharmacy, where he proceeded to buy not one pregnancy test but five. I stood in the aisle, fighting a laugh, because this go around it was him who was a goof.
The cashier at the register smiled when she saw the tests and three bottles of water that went along with our purchases. Decker had me drink on the way home until I was bursting. The second we were back in the garage, I was jumping out of the truck, bee-lining it for the hall bathroom with the bags flapping in my hands behind me. Just as I was slamming the door shut, pulling my shorts and panties down, Decker made an appearance. We had words. He wasn’t budging, so he got a front row seat of me peeing on a stick. Men, I swear. Oh well, it’s not like he wouldn’t see even more while I give birth anyways. When the first, second, and third tests came back positive, I put my foot down on the fourth and fifth. A bit overkill, sure, but there was nothing left in me to even think about doing the final two.
“We’re sure, Mom.” Elizabeth’s fingers press into her mouth, tears streaming down her cheeks, a smile peeking through. Keith was already hugging me when Decker responded to her question. This is our second stop of the day after being at the doctor’s office, going through the motions of peeing yet again, the test coming back positive like the rest of them, then lying on the table for a pelvic exam that no woman loves to deal with, and the best part was the doppler. That’s when we heard not one but two heartbeats. My doctor, who is currently Montana’s, had no problem doing an ultrasound, sending us off with photos, a prescription to get bloodwork done and prenatal vitamins that are the size of horse pills, I swear.
“Oh, I’m so happy. Two more grandbabies to love and spoil.” After the doctor’s visit, we stopped by my parents’, letting them know, only to find out my great grandma was a twin, which I should have known but it was out of sight out of mind unless it was brought up and I completely zones out. We then rounded out our trip to Decker’s parents house.
“Between both sets of grandparents, we’re going to be in trouble,” Decker replies. I laugh, but that leads us to another question.
“Apparently twins run in our family, I’m not so sure about yours though?” We all move to sit down in the kitchen. There’s a massive island floating in the center, counter-height stools all the way around it, and we take our seats. Keith and Elizabeth on one side, Decker and myself on the other. Considering twins run in my gene pool, there’s a potential if I do get pregnant again, it could very well mean another set of twins, and that thought almost scares me.
“Well about that my aunt was a twin. We thought it might skip me, but it didn’t.” Decker inhales a breath. Apparently, he wasn’t aware of that happening to his mother.
“Shit, you never said anything, but now that I think about it, there was that one time you were sick before Elijah was born. I remember going to Nana’s during the week when I was around nine or ten.” My eyes move from his, my hand finding Decker’s, weaving our fingers with one another’s, then look at his mom.
“Yeah, they didn’t make it. I was only ten weeks along when it happened.” I can see it’s painful to talk about, and the way she quit talking after she said that, it must still hurt. The pain of losing a baby has to be the worst ever.
“Thank you for telling us.” My other hand that’s not entwined with Decker’s goes to hers, squeezing it in a caring manner.
“Oh, honey, I just hope I didn’t scare you. It was a different time twenty or so years ago.” Elizabeth smiles softly.
“What about triplets? Do those run in our gene pool?” Decker teases to lighten up the room, but Jesus Christ, could you even imagine? I mean, it would give us five children which, let’s be fair, I grew up in a house full of kids. I do think a maximum of three is plenty, though.
“Are you trying to run your poor wife off, boy?” Keith must see how still I went.
“I’m just teasing, baby, but hey, two pregnancies instead of four.” Decker winks before kissing my forehead. Meanwhile I don’t know if I should hug or strangle him.
“The answer is not just no, but hell no. You might get these two and that be it, so don’t press your luck, Mr. Williams.” The group laughs. We spend the rest of our evening with them. After spending time at my parents earlier this afternoon, them feeding us my mom’s famous lasagna they were meant to have for dinner, and Keith pulling out the red velvet cake from the fridge, a girl could get used to this, that’s for sure. And I know when Decker whispers in my ear, “Love you and our babies,” that we’re going to create a wonderful life together.