Chapter 45
Ariana
FAMILY HISTORY
Whose genius idea was it to make doctor’s offices so cold?
I’m also naked under a paper-thin gown so that’s not really helping matters.
It’s our first appointment and to say we’re both nervous would be an understatement.
There’s still a small chance I’m not actually pregnant and it’s just a false positive, but after I finally told Cole we bought at least ten pregnancy tests, all different brands and types, and each one came back boldly positive.
I’m lying flat against the exam bed, staring up at the fluorescent lights and Cole’s knee has been bouncing at a beat faster than my heart rate.
But for as anxious as Cole has been about the pregnancy, he’s been very supportive.
He’s said more than once he’s just worried about mine and the baby’s health, constantly making sure I’m okay and that all my needs are met.
The other day I was craving a smoothie, and I don’t even think it was a pregnancy craving because I doubt I’m very far along for any major symptoms, but he went to three different places and showed up with six smoothies. I couldn’t help but laugh.
I should’ve never doubted him. Because time and time again he proves that he’s fully in this.
We’re only waiting a few minutes when the doctor strolls in. A woman who looks to be around my mom’s age greets us warmly.
“Hi, folks. I’m Doctor Sandy Adair but you can just call me Sandy.
” She takes a seat on the short swivel chair.
“I’ll be handling the ultrasound today since our technician is out with the flu, so you’re stuck with me for the full experience.
” She smiles. “I heard we’re here to check on baby and see how far along you are. Is that correct?”
We both nod and she smiles brightly before reviewing something on her tablet, and then snapping on a pair of gloves. “Any symptoms so far? Nausea, fatigue, tenderness?”
“Tired,” I offer. “But I’m always tired so it’s hard to tell if that’s pregnancy-related or just my life.”
She chuckles at that. “Fair enough. Nausea tends to pick up around weeks six through ten, so if you haven’t been hit with it yet, brace yourself.” She looks between us. “Any questions before we get started?”
I had a ton of questions. All of which have left my mind, so I shake my head and Cole does too. As she situates things, Cole grabs hold of my hand and scoots closer.
“Because you suspect you’re early along,” Sandy starts, “we’ll be doing a transvaginal ultrasound today to get the clearest picture.” She squirts some gel onto the probe. “Just try to relax. It’s not the most comfortable, but I’ll try to be quick.”
Cole’s thumb strokes over my knuckles and I focus on that instead of everything else.
“Okay,” Sandy says, her eyes moving to the monitor. “Let’s see what we’ve got.”
The quiet room fills suddenly with a rapid, rhythmic whooshing as she works, her gaze tracking the screen with narrowed focus.
It’s the heartbeat.
And the sound of it sends my own heart lurching, a riot of emotions singing through me all at once.
This baby is very real. The heartbeat is strong and insistent, unmistakable proof that there is a life growing inside me.
Half me and half Cole, and I’m already more in love with this little person than I thought possible.
Cole’s eyes are glued to the screen, staring intensely at the shadowed image, ears trained on the speakers, lips parted in awe. He scrubs a hand down his face, making way for a smile of utter wonder to lift on his lips. “Holy shit,” he whispers. “That’s a real baby.”
A garbled laugh tumbles out of me so fast I manage to startle myself. “Yeah,” I laugh through a sob. “Our baby.”
“Okay,” Sandy drawls after a moment, in a tone that makes my pulse spike. “I’m going to take a closer look at something.”
I feel Cole stiffen beside me. “Is everything okay?”
“Everything looks very healthy,” she assures us, and I release a breath, giving Cole’s hand a squeeze. “I just want to confirm what I’m seeing before I say anything.” She adjusts slightly, tilting the screen toward us. “There.” She points. “Are you both seeing what I’m seeing?”
We both squint at the monitor then turn to each other, still not sure what we’re meant to be looking at. Just gray shapes and shadows, shifting as she adjusts.
“See here and here?” She points to the screen, at two specks that could easily be mistaken for smudges on the display.
“There are two sacs, meaning two babies. You’re expecting twins.
And if you listen closely, you’ll hear not just one, but two very strong heartbeats.
” She sits back slightly. “Based on measurements I’d estimate you’re right around eight weeks along. ”
“Twins?” I echo, somewhat stunned.
“Twins,” she confirms.
I’ve only just wrapped my head around the concept of a baby and now there’s two of them. My head whips to look at Cole. He’s not watching the screen anymore. He’s staring at me, and his eyes are glassy in a way I’ve never seen before. He clears his throat before working down a rough swallow.
I don’t need him to explain, I just know. Almost in the innate way I feel with Layla, words aren’t needed.
The magnitude of this moment speaks for itself.
Sandy continues pointing out details on the screen, explaining that both babies are healthy and on track and not showing any concerns. “Any family history of multiples?” she asks, printing images from the screen.
Cole and I exchange glances, sharing cheek-splitting grins.
“Yes,” we say at exactly the same time.
“We’re both twins,” I add.
She laughs. “Well. There you go.”
The next day we invite everyone over to Cole's for an impromptu get-together.
I know most people wait until they're further along to announce but these two little lives are as real to me as if they were already here.
There's a chance something bad could happen, I could lose one or lose both.
But I'm choosing to remain positive because I have no reason to assume the worst. I can't predict the future, but what I do know is I want them to be celebrated and known.
And I know I won't regret telling our families that two new little people, half Ledger and half Benton, will be tying us all together.
Twins.
You'd think it wouldn't be surprising since it runs in our DNA, but I never once considered the possibility that we would be having more than one baby.
It's not really a miracle but it kind of feels like one. It feels like it was destined.
"We should've just ordered pizza," Cole says before wrapping his arms around me from behind, his hands gently holding my stomach. My belly is definitely more food baby than actual babies but I don't swat him away. "I don't want you on your feet, slaving away in the kitchen."
"I'm setting out cheese and crackers." I laugh, spinning around and crossing my arms around his neck. "Besides, weren't you the one who said you liked seeing me barefoot in the kitchen?"
"I changed my mind. I want you lying down, pampered while I cater to you hand and foot."
I sigh, my lips pulling into a wide smile. "Well, I won't complain about that."
His gaze goes pensive for a moment, eyes clouded in concern.
"I really mean it though. One baby is tough on the body.
Two is going to be a lot. I know you have a business to run but I think we should start looking at hiring on more help.
I'll cover their salary if needed. Money doesn't matter.
Whatever you and our babies need, I'm here to provide it, and what they need the most is a mother who takes it easy and rests her body. "
I know he's being serious right now but my listening kind of trailed off once he said our babies. Our babies.
Just thinking about them. About us. Makes my insides practically gooey, warmth spreading across my chest.
"Are you listening to me?" he asks through a laugh.
I try to nod convincingly. "Yes. Hire someone. Totally listening."
There's a commotion at the entryway and I look to see Cole's parents and siblings barging in, while my family can be seen out the window, parking in the driveway.
I'm suddenly struck with a rogue wave of worry. Cole and I haven't been together long. Our families have been competing in business since their induction. Maybe they won't see it as good news. Maybe they'll be upset.
Cole's hand strokes my back soothingly, like he can read my mind. "They're going to be over the moon and nothing less."
We gather everyone in the living room and it's clear they're all suspicious that something is up.
"Okay," Cole says as we stand in front of the group together. "Thanks for coming on short notice. We have some news."
Cristina bounces in her seat. "Oh my God." She grabs my mom's arm. "You're engaged, aren't you?"
"No," Cole says through a wince, and both moms deflate with disappointment.
"But," I start, clasping my hand in Cole's, "I'm pregnant."
There's a silence that lasts enough to feel like time froze until a massive eruption goes off at once.
Cristina bursts into tears, moving to stand and pulling me into her arms before I've fully processed what's happening.
Bill gets teary-eyed and embraces Cole in a big bear hug, clapping him on the back.
Nora screams, and Blake immediately starts pointing at Cole saying I knew it over and over, while Wela silently asks permission before placing her hand on my stomach and murmuring a quiet blessing in Spanish.
Wyatt wasn’t able to make it but he was ecstatic for us over the phone. Along with Danny, who’s very excited to not be the only kid in the family anymore.
On my family's side it's no quieter. My mom has her hands pressed to her cheeks, wearing a watery smile.
I already told her and the girls, so they're not shocked by the news.
My dad starts to shake Cole's hand and then thinks better on it, and it turns into a hug.
Ethan, who has never been known for his affectionate side, also hugs Cole after he hugs me, saying his congratulations.
Shane declares he'll be the fun uncle, but something tells me Blake will give him a good run for his money.
"Wait," Nora says, cutting through the commotion, hands raised. "How far along?"
"Eight weeks," I reply loud enough for everyone to hear.
"And—" Cole begins, his tone shifting slightly. "There's more."
He looks at me and I look at him and I feel the smile break across my face before I can stop it.
"We're having twins," I say, my hands instinctively settling on my stomach.
From there it's absolute pandemonium.
I'm so swept up in it—in the excitement and new wave of congratulations—that I almost don't notice Cole is no longer standing beside me.
Instead, he's down on one knee.
And my own knees almost give out, my hand cupping over my mouth as a new set of tears make their way to the surface.
"I had a whole speech." He reaches into his pocket and produces a velvet ring box.
"But now I can't remember one word of it.
" He takes my hand in his, exhaling slowly.
"I've been hanging onto this ring for over a month.
" He opens the box, revealing an oval-cut engagement ring—a single pink diamond with delicate rose detailing along the gold band.
But it's not the beauty of it that renders me speechless.
It's that he bought it over a month ago.
Before the pregnancy. Before I was even sure he loved me the way I love him.
Yes is already on the tip of my tongue, but now I know without any doubt—he's not asking me to be his wife out of duty or obligation.
He loves me. Pregnancy or not, he's choosing me, seeing me, loving me.
Just for me. "Ariana Lorelei Ledger, will you marry me? "
"Yes," I tell him through the emotion lodged in my throat.
He slides the ring onto my finger and stands and I throw my arms around his neck as he lifts me off the floor, his face buried in my hair.
There's a chorus of cheers surrounding us, but the sound of it fades into the background and all I hear is the beating of our hearts, completely synced. One and the same.
What started out as a fake relationship has become the realest, most precious thing to me on Earth.
I think our love was there long before we realized it ourselves, tucked between the things we thought we wanted. A crush on a guy who was all wrong for me. Staying a hidden wallflower, too afraid to go after what I wanted in life.
Cole saw me when no one else did. The shy girl constantly blushing as she fumbled her way through life and the guy next door with a crush and a half-assed plan.
I've read thousands of romances and dreamed of the day I'd get my own love story.
And none of them come close. Ours is by far my favorite.