“Taylor?” My wife looked up into my eyes thinking she was probably dreaming.
I smoothed her hair back around the frame of her face. “Yes Clare, I’m here. I’m really here. I took a plane back from Vegas. How are you feeling?”
“Tired,” she said. “How is...”
“Mom said says the baby’s heartbeat is a little fast but the doctor is trying to even it out. They stopped the bleeding, that kid is staying in there. Don’t you worry
Clare, everything is going to be all right. I promise.”
She smiled. “I love you, Taylor.”
“I love you, too, Clare. We’re going to get through this.”
“Yes we are.”
“I have one question though-”
“What, Tay?”
“Mom told me that you were having a problem when I was in the hospital... why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to worry you,” my wife admitted. “I should have told you, Tay, but I didn’t want you to worry about me. I mean you couldn’t really get out of bed when you got home the first week and even now you are supposed to take it easy. How are we both supposed to take it easy at the same time? It’s just not possible! Not with Zoë and Anya needing us all the time. We don’t have time to both rest. It’s either one or the other, not both.”
“Actually Clare I have a suggestion.” I ran my hand up and down her hair gently as I spoke. “My mother offered to come over to our house every morning to send Zoë off to school and take care of the housework. Her and my father will take Anya to their hotel every day for a few weeks so that we can rest. They will bring her back when they have to pick Zoë up from school. This way we can both recover.”
“Your mother is a saint,” she told me.
“Our mother,” I reminded her. “Our mother.”
She nodded and laughed. “A few hours after you left for Vegas your parents showed up at my doorstep with breakfast take-out. Saints, I tell you, saints.”
“Mr. Hanson?” I looked towards the voice. It belonged to a doctor who walked in and closed the door behind her. “I’m Dr. Jenson,” she said extending her hand. I stood up and shook it. “How are you?”
“All right,” I said sitting back down next to my wife’s head. “How is the baby?”
“Well,” Dr. Jenson said flipping open the folder she was holding. “I think I need to tell you guys something.”
I paled and so did Clare. “What is it?” I asked. “What’s wrong?”
“The ultrasound shows something very unusual. Here let me show you.” The doctor set up the machine and pretty soon Clare and I were gazing up at the monitor looking at the beginnings of what would be the newest edition to our family.
I reached for Clare’s hand, finding her fingers and finally enclosing her hand in my own. She smiled at me and then went back to watching the screen.
“See here?” The doctor asked pointing at the screen with her index finger when she found the spot she wanted to show us. “This right here is an arm.”
“Uh-huh,” I said. “They usually have them.”
“Nice Taylor,” Clare commented rolling her eyes.
“Well it’s true!” I insisted.
The doctor laughed. “Here is the other arm. But look here, this is yet another arm.”
“My kid’s got three arms!?!” I exclaimed in shock. My mouth dropped and I gaped at Clare. “Can we cut one off!?!”
Clare started laughing. “I apologize, Dr., Jenson. Taylor’s a little slow.” She turned her head towards me. “But I love him anyway!” She placed her hand on my cheek. I saw a tear fall from her eye. “Taylor, the kid doesn’t have three arms.”
“What?” I asked. “I don’t quite understand... Dr. Jenson said there are three arms.”
“Mr. Hanson, there is also another heartbeat,” Dr. Jenson said slowly.
“Another--”
“Yes Taylor, another,” Clare said, her mouth twisted into a smile.
“That means...” I grabbed Clare into a careful hug. “Twins!?!”
“Yes, twins!” Clare exclaimed. I kissed her all over and when I broke away I realized that twins actually meant I was having two more children...
“Holy,” I said. “Four children...” I turned my head towards Clare in disbelief.
“How are we ever going to fit that many in our house?” Clare laughed at my innocence. Then I fainted.