Chapter 49
Chapter Forty-Nine
Naomi
The waiting room was quiet, save for the faint hum of the overhead lights and the occasional rustle of magazines. Hudson sat beside me, his leg bouncing slightly as he glanced around. His nervous energy was almost endearing, though I was sure he’d argue he wasn’t nervous at all.
“You okay?” I asked, nudging him with my shoulder.
“Me? Yeah,” he said, flashing me a quick smile. “Just... you know. Curious. Excited. Maybe a little anxious.”
I laughed softly, reaching for his hand. “It’s just a routine check-up.”
“It’s the first ultrasound,” he corrected, his voice filled with awe. “We’re going to see our baby, Naomi. That’s not routine. That’s... huge.”
His words made my heart swell, and I squeezed his hand. “It is.”
When the nurse called my name, we both stood, Hudson’s grip on my hand tightening slightly. He didn’t let go as we followed her into the exam room, his presence steady and grounding as I climbed onto the table and adjusted the gown they’d given me.
The doctor came in a few moments later, her smile warm as she greeted us. “Excited for your first look?” she asked, glancing between us.
“Very,” I said, my voice trembling slightly.
Hudson nodded, his gaze fixed on the monitor as the doctor prepped the ultrasound machine. I couldn’t help but watch him—the way his eyes shone with anticipation, the way his jaw tightened just slightly as he tried to keep his emotions in check.
“This might feel a little cold,” the doctor said, spreading the gel across my stomach. I gasped slightly at the chill, and Hudson reached for my hand, his thumb brushing over my knuckles.
“You okay?” he asked softly.
I nodded, smiling at him. “I’m fine.”
The room fell silent as the doctor moved the wand across my stomach, the faint sound of static filling the air. And then, there it was—a flicker of movement on the screen, a small, unmistakable shape.
“That’s your baby,” the doctor said, her voice soft.
My breath caught, and I felt tears sting my eyes. “That’s... that’s our baby?”
Hudson didn’t say anything at first, his eyes glued to the monitor. When he finally spoke, his voice was thick with emotion. “They’re beautiful.”
The doctor smiled, adjusting the image slightly. “They are. And there’s something else I want to show you.”
She moved the wand again, her brow furrowing slightly as she focused on a different part of the screen. My heart skipped a beat, and I glanced at Hudson, who was now gripping my hand like it was a lifeline.
“What is it?” I asked, my voice trembling.
The doctor smiled, her gaze warm as she turned to us. “Congratulations. You’re having twins.”
For a moment, I couldn’t breathe. The words didn’t quite register, hanging in the air like a dream I wasn’t sure was real.
“Twins?” Hudson repeated, his voice barely above a whisper. “You’re sure?”
The doctor nodded, pointing to the screen. “See? Two heartbeats. Two babies.”
I turned to Hudson, my eyes wide, and saw his expression shift from shock to awe. His free hand moved to his chest, as if he were trying to steady his own racing heart.
“Twins,” he said again, a slow, incredulous smile spreading across his face. “We’re having twins.”
The drive home was a blur of laughter, excited chatter, and the occasional stunned silence. Hudson kept glancing at me, his hand never leaving mine.
“Two,” he said, shaking his head. “I mean, I was excited about one, but two? That’s... wow.”
I laughed, leaning against his shoulder. “It’s overwhelming.”
“In the best way,” he said, his voice full of conviction.
When we got home, he pulled me into his arms the moment we stepped inside, his lips brushing against my forehead. “Naomi, we’re going to do this. We’re going to give these babies the best life.”
I smiled, resting my hand on my stomach. “I know we will. Together.”
As he kissed me, his hand covering mine, I felt a surge of hope and love unlike anything I’d ever known. Our family was growing, and with Hudson by my side, I knew we were ready for whatever came next.