43 | ☕Double Trouble ☕ #2
His expression was a mixture of exasperation and disbelief, like his mind was still trying to process the whirlwind of information he'd just been hit with.
His gaze fixed on the screen in front of him, the blurry image of the ultrasound flickering in and out.
He was silent for a moment, his thoughts racing, his chest tightening with a strange combination of anxiety and awe.
His hands trembled as he lifted them toward the screen, his fingers hovering uncertainly before pointing at the image. There, unmistakable now, were two tiny shapes. His eyes darted from one image to the other, his breath caught in his throat as his mind tried to reconcile what he was seeing.
He could hardly bring himself to sign, his fingers trembling slightly as he struggled to form the words. When he finally did, it was with a deep breath that he tried to steady himself. The words came out slow, each sign deliberate, like they were too heavy for him to fully grasp.
Anya blinked, then raised an eyebrow at him, the amusement in her eyes barely contained. Her lips quirked into a small smile as she watched his reaction, fighting the urge to burst into laughter. "Yes, Atlas. Twins. That's how it works, babe."
For a moment, Atlas simply stared at her, his mouth slightly agape, like the full weight of her words hadn't quite registered.
Then, slowly, the realization dawned on him.
His shoulders slumped, and his fingers dropped to his lap.
He pressed them against his forehead, rubbing it as though trying to push the disbelieving thoughts out of his mind.
He gave a small, incredulous laugh, though it lacked any humour.
Then, without another word, he staggered over to the chair beside Anya and sank into it with a defeated sigh, his face pale.
The shock of the moment seemed to have drained all the energy from him, leaving him looking small and vulnerable.
Anya bit her lip, her hand instinctively reaching out to touch his arm, trying to offer some form of comfort without overwhelming him.
Her heart melted at the sight of him, so wrapped up in his disbelief that he looked almost lost.
She couldn't help but giggle softly, the sound escaping her before she could stop it.
Atlas shot her a look, his blue eyes narrowed and a little less sharp than usual, though there was the slightest tug at the corner of his mouth that hinted at the start of a smile.
"You're panicking?"she asked teasingly, her fingers moving with a rhythm that was light and playful, matching her teasing tone.
He blinked, looking up at her in utter confusion, his brow furrowing more.
Then, his hands came up to sign in slow, deliberate movements.
"We mentally prepared for one baby. One," he signed, his hands trembling as if the effort of conveying his thoughts was too much to bear.
"Now there's two. That's double the diapers, double the crying, double the chaos..."
Anya couldn't hold back her grin any longer, her eyes soft with affection as she reached over and placed a gentle hand on his.
Her thumb brushed against his knuckles, the touch meant to reassure him.
"Aww, poor Atlas,"she teased, the words light but full of warmth.
"Don't worry, you'll get the hang of it. Besides, we're in this together, right?"
He sighed heavily, his shoulders slumping as though the weight of the news had settled into every bone of his body.
He leaned back in the chair, his hands coming up to rub his eyes, as if trying to shake off the disbelief that was still clinging to him.
"I don't know how I'm supposed to handle two at once. I can barely handle one without turning into a mess. Twice the diapers? Twice the midnight feedings?"
His voice trailed off, his sign a mix of frustration and uncertainty.
His eyes met hers then, searching for something—anything—to help him understand how to process this new reality.
"I'm going to be a mess," he signed with a shrug, his tone a little self-deprecating, a little more raw than usual.
Anya's smile softened, and her heart fluttered at the sight of him so vulnerable, so honest.
She gently nudged him with her shoulder, her voice taking on a lighter, more loving tone as she responded.
"It's going to be a challenge, for sure. But we'll figure it out, she signed, then added, We always do."
He met her gaze, his fingers brushing hers as he sighed again, the weight of his thoughts still clouding his expression.
His hands hesitated for a moment before he signed slowly, as if testing the words on his tongue.
"I just... I didn't expect this, he signed quietly, his voice barely more than a whisper. I don't know if I'm ready for this, Anya. I've been so focused on keeping you safe and healthy, but this—" He gestured vaguely to the screen,
as though trying to convey the enormity of what he was feeling in a single motion.
"This is a lot more than I bargained for."
Anya's heart ached at the sight of him, so unsure and uncertain. She squeezed his hand gently with a tenderness that only she could offer. "You don't have to be ready, Atlas. We'll figure it out together. One step at a time."
He exhaled slowly, letting the weight of her words sink in.
His gaze softened, the initial panic and disbelief fading to something quieter, more thoughtful.
He leaned in a little closer to her, and for the first time in a while, he seemed to find some comfort in the shared silence between them.
Yeah, he murmured, his sign slow but steady. "I guess we will."
The doctor, sensing the tension in the room and the shift in the air, cleared his throat gently. "If you'd like, we can talk more about the next steps, your options for prenatal care, and any questions you might have about the pregnancy," he offered softly, giving them space to process the news.
Anya nodded, though her focus remained solely on Atlas. She gave his hand a reassuring squeeze. "Thank you," to the doctor, before turning her attention back to him. "We're going to do this, right?"
For a moment, Atlas didn't answer, his mind still reeling. But then, as though the weight of her words had finally settled into him, his fingers tightened around hers in a quiet promise. His gaze met hers, the subtle tension in his shoulders beginning to ease.